Cute Tape Giveaway Entry

When Glenda of Cute Tape announced that she was hosting a $100 giveaway to celebrate 1,000 Facebook fans, I knew I had to get my entry in before tonight's deadline. With a huge assortment of Japanese washi tape, cutetape.com is the place to shop for the "real stuff". There's even a gallery to showcase your creations or to get inspired.

By looking at my blog, it's quite obvious that I'm just a little obsessed with washi tape. I've used it for a variety of craft projects from egg decorating to gift wrapping. For the holidays, I even styled a photo shoot that was entirely inspired by washi tape.

Being a perfectionist, I love how washi tape can be applied and reapplied until it's just right. And because it's so easy to use, my kids are always getting into my washi tape stash. Ooh, how fabulous would it be to win the $100 shopping spree at cutetape.com! Of course, washi tape would be on top of my wish list, but I also have my eye on the flat glassine gift treat bags and the deep red Japanese wax paper hang tags, just to name a few. They'd be perfect for making goody bags to pass out at school for Valentine's Day.

Giveaway: Cute Tape Sweetheart Package

Yay! It's giveaway time. I'm super excited to be hosting our first giveaway of the year today. Up for grabs, a Sweetheart package from Glenda of Cute Tape. It includes all of these lovelies to help get you in the mood for Valentine's Day:

* 3 rolls of red solid, red stripe and red dot dash washi tape
* 20 small red chevron kraft paper bags (2.75" x 4")
* 50 small red gift tags (2-3/4" x 1-3/8")
* 25 sweet red hearts paper straws

Just take a look at what you can do with some cute tape. Catch my Matchbox Love Note tutorial coming soon to Bird's Party.

To enter:
1. Like Cute Tape on Facebook.
2. Like Pure Joy Events on Facebook.
3. Mention this giveaway on your Facebook page, blog or Twitter.

Must be a US resident to enter. Please leave a comment here after each entry. Giveaway ends on Thursday, January 26th at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be selected at random and announced the following day. Good luck!

Washi Tape Holiday Photo Shoot

Back in October, Natalie of The Knock-Knock Factory posed this question on her Facebook page -- "What's on your party bucket list?" I left a comment saying that I've been meaning to have a party inspired by Japanese washi tape. Next thing I knew, we were talking about having a washi tape holiday photo shoot. Within days, Paula of Frog Prince Paperie, Glenda from Cute Tape, Xiaolu of 6 Bittersweets, and Frances, the owner of The Pear Tree Cottage, were all on board.

We're so ecstatic to have the details and photos featured on The Sweetest Occasion today. The post includes free downloadable gift tags from Frog Prince Paperie, plus a fabulous giveaway from Cute Tape. Thanks to all of the talented contributors, I can officially cross off "washi tape party" from my list.

Photography: 6 Bittersweets

As seen on: The Sweetest Occasion / Whipperberry

Creative Guest on Ucreate with Kids

Guess what? I'm the Creative Guest over at Ucreate with Kids today! Check out my decorating eggs with washi tape tutorial.

Tutorial: Cherry Blossoms

Living in the Washington DC area, cherry blossoms signal the beginning of Spring. The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend with events and activities for the entire family. With approximately 3,750 cherry trees on the Tidal Basin, they are a must-see if you're visiting the nation's capital this time of year.

The beautiful, blush pink blossoms can last up to 14 days, but here's a simple way to create cherry blossoms that will last all year round. For this project, you'll need Brides table confetti in pink and green shimmer, tree branches, corsage pins, 7mm washi tape, and a glue stick.

1. Pierce the corsage pin through the center of the pink flower, then snip off the sharp end to make a 1/4" long stem. Be extra careful when cutting the pin so it doesn't go flying everywhere.

2. Tape the stem onto a branch using washi tape.

3. For the leaves, cut the green flower as shown, and glue it around the branch.

As seen on: Craft Gossip / Did Someone Say Party / One Pretty Thing

Japanese Washi Tape

I can't get enough of Japanese washi tape! It comes in so many colors and designs, and can be used for all sorts of packaging and crafts. More and more, washi tape is being used at parties.

I loved how Jessica of Modern Moments incorporated stripe and polka dotted washi tape (or wasabi tape as she calls it) at Jackson's Rockstar Party.

If you're a washi tape newbie like me, there are some great tutorials out there. Find out how to make these decorative eggs, and apply washi tape to serving plates, candy bowls and cake stands on Elizabeth's blog, To Be Charmed.

Lisa from The Red Thread shows you how to create mini bunting out of washi tape here.

Want to make this simple invitation? Merrilee over at Mer Mag shows you how. Guaranteed to be easy peezy.

So where can get your hands on some washi tape? Lacey, known as "the girl with the kraft box/bag...washi tape...baker's twine obsession", carries a large assortment of washi tape and other goodies at her shop, Le Box Boutique. And I'm so excited that she will be one of the sponsors for our first Party Tutorial Contest (coming soon).