My first washi tape projects! {Outgoing Mail Crate & Keyboard Upgrade}

If you follow us on facebook (if you don't, you totally should!) you might have seen me comment about trying out washi tape for the first time.  My mom has a large collection but I've never taken the plunge.  I looked around on etsy for some amazing prints to start my washi journey.  Today I wanted to share with you a few of my first creations...

[Disclosure:  I received washi tape product for free from Chickydoddle.  I am in no way obligated to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.]

As I searched Etsy for some washi tape, I stumbled upon this Cute Bunny print and I was in love!  I just love bunnies.  My son's nursery is Peter Rabbit themed and we even named our small business Chubby Bunny, Happy Home after my son who we called "Chubby Bunny" when he was a babe.  The bunnies on this tape are also holding eggs so I can use this tape in my Easter scrapbook layouts!  As I searched through Chickydoddle's washi tape I found several others I loved and immediately contacted the shop owner to ask if we could collaborate.

(Check back on Friday for a few of my other favorite prints, how I used them and a GIVEAWAY from Chickydoddle!)

Now onto my first washi tape projects...

Maybe you're organized and get mail sent out at just the right time.  Or, maybe you are a hot mess like me and thank you cards are still sitting in a pile on your table 8 months later.  If you're like me, follow along to see how I turned a boring old crate into an "outgoing mail" box!  This cute print is sure to catch my attention and it's a great place to store all that mail that needs sent out.

I used the Hearts in the Sky print because it's bright and just lovely.  Now follow along carefully, these instructions get tricky.  Ready?  Okay... pull the tape off the roll and press onto your crate.  That's it! This washi tape is sticky enough to stay put but can easily be pulled off and readjusted if you need to move it.

I especially like that this print lines up with itself so you can stack the strips of tape and have one continuous design.

This tape is also thin enough that I was able to have two pieces meet up (on the side of the crate and the top of the crate) without it bunching up.  It's practically seamless!

Can you believe that is two pieces that meet up and not one folded over the edge?  Even I'm impressed.  I'm definitely a washi tape person now.

You could cover the inside of the box too but I opted to leave it bare.  I did finished off the inside edge with one strip of washi though so that the corner had less wear and tear.

Easy peasy.  Now I can hold all those cards that I used to always forget about.  I also put a clipboard in it for any extra notes I might want to remind myself of.  For example, I clipped a note on this bundle reminding me to send the gifts that go along with the Mother's Day cards in the box.  {This was just an old clipboard I had but you could totally washi it up too!}

Okay, I have one more project to share...

This isn't a new idea, as a matter of fact, you can search pinterest and see a slew of them.  I've been itching to try it and thought these prints would be perfect!

The Modern Garden print is the most perfect design for a keyboard.  The black background matches the other keys but the lovely pinks, greens, oranges and whites add a dainty touch.

I cut them into squares and just pressed them down around the keys.  I think I might go back later and round the corners though so that they aren't tempted to pop back up.

I also threw in some Woodland Leaves washi for an added pop of color and to continue the floral/leaf theme.  My husband always just says "you love leaves" when I say I like something and can't explain why I'm so coo-coo over it!  Apparently that is my "thing" that I always gravitate to!  I cut the corners on this print instead of rounding and I definitely think I will be changing those out for a more rounded look.

And because I love that Cute Bunny design, I added it as well.  Hey, bunnies are outdoors... it still fits my theme!  Love that little bunny tail.

{That's it}
How did I do on my first washi tape projects?  What is your favorite craft to do using it?  Don't forget to check back on Friday for more washi projects, a review on why I love this seller and a GIVEAWAY you don't want to miss!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

Headbands with Interchangeable Flowers

Don't you just love when you suddenly realize that a person you know is in fact a "crafty" person?  An immediate bond is formed as tips are shared and projects are explored.  Well, that happened to me over the New Year.  I spent the weekend with my in-laws and their good friends were celebrating with us.  As I got to talking to the friend (her name is Dawn), we discovered that we both love to craft!  Long story short, she showed me a little something she had made that I HAD to share with you all:

 Headbands with interchangeable flowers!

{Pardon the self portrait... I was never very good at these}

She got the idea by thinking my favorite thing: "I could make that!"  when she saw headbands like this in Disney for over twenty dollars.

Dawn let me choose any headbands and flowers that I wanted out of her collection.  She is really pretty awesome.

The design is simple yet perfectly made; a headband that ties in the back and has a snap for the flowers:

She had a large variety of flowers, including petal, yo-yo style and even ones made from zippers!  I love all the possibilities that these headbands have.

The best part is that they are interchangeable.  That means that these two looks become four!

I picked two fairly neutral colors/designs but there were a ton of beautiful bright flowers and headbands too!

My very favorite part (I immediately fell in love) was the leaf design on the black headband.  I am a sucker for leaves anyway (ask my husband and he might say I have an obsession) and these are so pretty with the yellow and black.

I was very impressed to find out that my friend was so creative!  I love these headbands and I hope you did too.  What a neat gift this would be for your daughters, nieces or friends.  I have already told Dawn that she would be getting an "order" for more if I ever have a daughter!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE! Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion

Fall Decorative Balls Made From Nature's Materials

It is Monday again- another week begins and we start to create our weekly to-do lists with starry eyes and hopeful intentions.  Monday brings a clean slate for our week, so we have got to make sure it is a good one. If you are still looking for some easy to do and inexpensive fall craft ideas to decorate your home, you have come to the right place.  Make a note of this for your week and in no time at all you can "check" it right off your list (after all, isn't that the best part of making the list?)

I want to pre-apologize for this post's pictures.  They turned out alright but I promise you, these decorative balls look MUCH better in person; especially the corn kernel one.  You will just have to trust me on this one long enough to make your own and see!

{Step One: Gather Materials}

For the materials in nature I tried three {3} different types: leaves (in greens, reds and yellows), indian corn kernels and some of those wild wheat sprays (I keep wanting to call them cat tails, but that's not right!).  Anyone know what these are called?

{Step Two: Glue on the Materials}

For the (oh, let's call them...) wheat sprays, I wrapped them around the ball in an angle but lined them up next to each other.  After finishing the first layer, I glued another layer on top of the previous one to help cover the bare spots.

For the corn kernels, I started by gluing them on in a straight line, then continued by filling in empty spots.  This was my favorite one to make!

For the leaves, I simply layered them around the ball and on top of each other.  Using a variety of leaf shapes and colors will create a unique design.

{Step Three: Place Around Your Home!}

These decorative balls can be used to fill up a basket, hang on the walls, or anything else you can imagine.  Since they are made from christmas balls, they already have a hook for hanging!

I love the ones covered in indian corn kernels, so I plan to make more of those for table decoration.  Imagine a variety of kernel shades all mixed together in a small basket or mini-milk crate!  How fall-esk!

{Your Turn}
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and are excited to make your own.  This craft is easy to make, takes no time at all, uses free materials AND is so perfect for fall!  Best of all, you can make them look however you want:  tighter leaf wrapping, brighter corn kernels, thicker "wheat sprays"... whatever your heart desires!

Happy Crafting,
Kelsie Ann

LINK LOVE!  Linked up to: Every Day is an Occasion