Easy washi tape Easter egg holders

If you need something to keep your boiled eggs from rolling all over the table, try making paper holders decorated with washi tape.

Download and print the egg holder template at 100%.


Apply decorative tape over the surface of each band. I used washi tape and patterned duct tape.

Cut out the bands and the slots. Since washi tape is slightly translucent, it's easy to see the trim lines through the tape.


Form each band into a circle and hook the slots together.

Have a beautiful Easter weekend, everyone!

Make bookmarks with tape

I'm still waiting for TV producers to create Hoarders: Washi Tape Edition, because I bet there are enough of us out there to make an entire series. Why in the world is it so satisfying to collect decorative tape?

Here's a way to put some of that stock pile to good use (unless you're one of those people who uses an electronic gadget to read books. Me, I prefer paper pages.)

I used some Jonathan Adler paper tape, plus a bit of orange washi tape, to make some easy patterned bookmarks.


I placed three strips of tape side by side on a sheet of cardstock and trimmed it into a rectangle. Then I printed up a little Groucho Marx humor and attached the quote with more tape.

To make your own, download the Groucho quote right here. Print the page, cut out the little rectangles, and attach them to patterned paper or taped-up cardstock.

Washi tape thumbtacks

I decided the plain white thumbtacks on my bulletin board needed to be cuter. And by cuter, I mean oranger. I put a small piece of washi tape on each pushpin, smoothed out any fine wrinkles with my thumbnail, and trimmed around the edges with a sharp scissors. Cuter!

Speaking of cuteness, how about these dolls made from wooden sticks and washi tape?

DIY washi tape magnets

Have you seen the witty washi tape magnets at Twirling Betty? I spotted the idea at Craft the other day and immediately had to try it out. I love fancy Japanese tape. And magnets that look like fancy Japanese tape. Read Christen's easy instructions right here.

I stuck a white mailing label over the printing on my junk mail magnet and layered the tape on top of that, since there was no paper that would peel off. The label hid the printing. They're pretty believable, right?

Mini DIY washi tape Valentine notes

I was inspired by Patricia's post and Ellie's business cards to make some tiny Valentine's Day notecards using washi tape and baker's twine. These little babies are 2.25" square. To make your own using tape (or decorate however you like), download and print out the blanks I made:

Notecard printable PDF

Print and cut out the cards, then align a couple strips of tape on the front and trim off the edges.


Use a 1/8" hole punch or scissors to notch the edges to keep the twine in place.


Wrap the cover with twine, tie, and write a scandalous message inside. Make mini envelopes out of coordinating paper if you're feeling ambitious!

Jonathan Adler tape!

Lifeguard Press just sent over samples of their new printed paper tape by Jonathan Adler. I love it. Jonathan Adler is one of my all-time faves— those mod, geometric designs always float my boat.

The tapes come in a pack of three inside a dispenser. This stuff is not as sticky as washi tape, so it's easy to reposition. I got a little tape-happy around the office.


A boring gray bookend became patterned.


Edges on a bookshelf became patterned.


A desk lamp became patterned.


Tea lights became patterned.

Grab some Jonathan Adler tape right here. I'll post another project tomorrow!

Make bags from envelopes and pretty tape

I got a little tape-happy the other day. This project is like the envelope gift bag tutorial from awhile back, but approximately 200% cuter due to fancy tape. These little gift sacks could be used as party favors filled with candy or as packaging for wee presents.

You'll need an envelope, decorative tape, and a scissors. I used 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" envelopes, but any size will work.

Seal the envelope and trim off one of the short sides to make an opening.

Wrap tape around both sides of the envelope. No need to cover the last inch, since it will form the bottom of the bag.

Fold about one inch of each side of the bag toward the middle; then fold the bottom upwards, creasing your folds well. You can vary the width of these flaps depending on the proportion of the bag you want. Flip the bag over and reverse the folds along the same lines for easier shaping in the next step.

Put one hand inside the bag, and with the other, push the bottom fold down. This will leave the bottom corners of the bag standing up. Press each corner into a triangle.

Fold both triangles down and secure them with more tape, covering the bottom of the bag.

Sources of fancy Japanese washi tape include Happy Tape, Cute Tape, and Ginko Papers. However, you might be sorry if you click these links because money will immediately fly out of your wallet. Be warned.

How to make an origami business card holder

Here's a quick and easy origami project: a business card case or gift card holder. Use patterned gift wrap (I like heavier-weight wrapping paper for a sturdier case), graph paper, a paper bag, magazine pages, or origami paper. Decorate the case with washi tape or stamps for a cute way to present gift cards. It will look like you put a lot of thought and effort into a gift that was probably the easiest thing you could buy. Slacker.

Just kidding. Sometimes gift cards are the very best present.

To make a holder for a standard 3.5 x 2" business card, start with an 8.5" square of paper. For a standard gift card, use a 9" square.

Place the paper pretty side down. Fold the sheet in half vertically and open it back up.

Fold the left and right edges inward to meet the center fold.

Open the paper again. Fold each corner inward so that the corner points meet the nearest crease.

Close the left and right flaps.

Turn the paper over and fold the top down so that the exposed diagonal edges meet precisely at the fold.

Fold the bottom up in the same way, tucking the bottom edge into the diagonal flaps. They should overlap slightly.

Insert a card to make sure it fits, then fold the case in half. All done!

To make a fabric version of this case, see this post.

7 pencil-related DIY projects

Do you like pencils? I do. Especially when they're pretty or come in a fancy pouch. Check out these tutorials:

Make colored pencil jewelry with Mini Eco at Design Mom
Drill yourself a rustic pencil holder like Strawberry Chic's
Create striped pencils a la Martha Stewart
Make pencils from paper with instructions from Scissors Paper Wok
Sew a pencil-shaped pencil pouch by Gwenny Penny
Whip up an oilcloth pencil case with Momtastic
Decorate pencils with washi paper using tips from Omiyage

Tutorials for storing your stuff

These little DIY projects might be fun for the weekend:
A tree-shaped holder for earrings at Projectville
A simple way to store your washi tape by Silly Old Suitcase
Leather card holders from Caila Made (bonus: these pouches are fab)
No-sew fabric boxes by Rashida Coleman Hale