May 25, 2012

Easy Patriotic Art...Using Washi Tape {Tutorial!}



With Memorial Day weekend here and the 4th of July right around the corner, I needed a bit of patriotic decor to dress my home. These two washi tape projects took a combined 10 minutes to complete and were the perfect distraction in a rough day (of the sick, cranky kid variety). 


If you're a pinterest junkie or craft blog lover, you've seen washi tape used in a 1000 ways. I have a nice collection in my craft closet, and let me tell you, I love the stuff! I've been washi-ing everything lately. Oh, just wait until you see my Memorial Day mantel! 

All the washi tape used in this project were purchased at Target in the office supply aisle. It's $4 for 4 rolls. Not bad, eh? My Target has a set of yellow, a set of red, a set of green and a set of blue.

Why, yes. Yes I do own all 4 sets. 


Let's get to the tutorials, shall we?? For the American flag project, I took a piece of scrap cardboard and taped off lines in a flag pattern. I trimmed the edges with scissors instead of tearing to create the clean lines. Which is probably totally obvious. Pretty easy. I then trimmed the cardboard so it fit snuggly in the frame. Again, pretty easy.


For the Let Freedom Ring frame, I started with another empty frame and another scrap of cardboard. I placed random stripes of tape, leaving a space for my stamped line. For my words, I took out my tiny letter stamps (I actually have 3 sets, 1 from Michaels, 2 from Walmarts- all $1) and used them randomly to create my words. I kind of like the look of the mixed fonts.


I'm sure these frames will end up on a mantelscape one day. Perhaps on a 4th of July mantelscape? Yep, seems fitting.

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope you spend it with family and I hope you take time to honor the memory of the heroes who've given their life for love of our country and dedication to her freedom. I'm the sister of an army Captain (stationed in Vicenza, Italy) and so this day always makes me think hard about the weight of the sacrifice so many men and women have made in our nation's history.

Ronald Reagan said in a famous Memorial Day speech:


Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It's a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It's a day to be with the family and remember.

This weekend will find me praying extra hard that no heroes will ever have to die for us again.

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34 comments:

  1. ummm...THIS ROCKS! Creative, frugal & fun! Have a great Memorial Day weekend. I am sooooooo making this!
    The Appraiser's Wife
    www.rahouck.blogspot.com

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  2. Target - who knew! I'll now be scouring the office supply section like a mad woman!

    Have a great long weekend - cheers to your brother in Italy!
    Kelly

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  3. Where are your fun frames from? So cute!!

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    1. Kaylee, I replied to your email, but in case anyone else wants to know...

      The white frame was purchased at an antique store as is. The teal frame was a tan frame that I've had forever. Recently I gave it new life with several coats of rustoleum lagoon in satin and then took some sandpaper to it!

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  4. Great project Emily! Love washi tape! Really love the quote by Reagan at the end of your post. Thanks for a beautiful reminder and for sharing a quick and easy project!

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  5. This is a great project! They turned out really great! Would you consider linking up to my Pinworthy Projects Party? I hope to see you there!

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  6. Great idea! LOVE washi tape too, and yes, I have all 4 sets as well :)
    Torri

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  7. Love this. I have this exact set of tape. I will be giving this a try!

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  8. This is awesome! Love how it turned out!

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  9. Thank you for your remembrance of those who gave their all. Never caught the wash bug...until now! Love these...looks like a trip tp Target is in my day! Ha

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  10. such a great idea! I LOVE it!

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  11. Super cute! I love red, white, and blue and it looks even better in washi tape!

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  12. I saw your project on Tater Tots & Jello. So great! I am in love with the washi tape!

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  13. I love this project. I just wanted to let you know that I featured it on my blog last night.

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  14. Love this project. I'm a washi tape fan ...

    And please share a giant and heartfelt thank you to your army Captain brother!

    :)

    Linda

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  15. HI Emily

    Oh my! These are fabulous! You take great pictures of your work, too! Very fun!

    We would LOVE for you to stop over and link up this awesome idea in our Crafty Saturday Showcase. The Showcase runs Saturday through Thursday. Then our Designers will pick their top linked up picks and feature them on Friday! Stop over and join in the fun! We have a linky for crafty bloggers and ETSY/Business Bloggers!

    Have a great weekend,
    Susie
    http://bowdabrablog.com/2012/05/26/saturday-showcase-craft-projects-3/

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  16. Beautiful project, beautiful meaning! Thank you for your family's service!!

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  17. This is great! I really need to invest in some cute washi tape!!! I think it's a new must have..

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  18. Could't find any washi tape at Target. What section did you find them & was it recently? Suzi pblapere@att.net

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  19. These are super cute! I get my washi tape from Le Box Boutique on etsy. They have several hundred patterns to choose from and sell washi tape by the foot. Thanks for this idea.

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  20. Love it! I would love for you to link up to The CSI Project this week. The challenge is Patriotic Projects! Hope to see you there.

    www.thecsiproject.com

    XOXO
    Dee, the CSI Girl

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  21. THANK YOU for linking up and sharing on FB! Your support means a lot to a little blog like mine. I really appreciate it! (And I always adore your projects!)

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  22. This is a really clever idea with such a cool outcome. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity. Jodi @ www.meaningfulmama.com

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  23. Featuring you tomorrow!! Love this! XO, Aimee

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  24. So cute! This is what I'll be doing during nap time instead of getting work done!

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  25. Very cute! I've been seeing more and more projects using washi tape, I think I need to try using it on something! I love the abstract look of your design! If you're like it would be great to have you link up at our Patriotic Link-up Party running till July 4th: http://www.ourhousestory.net/2012/05/patriotic-link-up-party.html

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  26. Absolutely fantastic as always! I hope you'll link up to my Patriotic Project Parade!

    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html

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  27. LOVE THIS! I won a great stash of washi tape and haven't fully utilized its potential - now I have some inspiration. Great use of red, white, & blue.

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