Banana Leaf Paper

New to Wingdoodle 12x12 Banana Leaf paper in 5 colors Stop, Curry, Festive, Capri and Tango.  The paper cuts wonderfully and is easy to stamp on.  Here are two samples of what the paper looks like stamped.

Hanko Paper

It seems like we have been getting something new in the store every day now. We received our Hanko order today. The Washi paper is absolutely beautiful. We have a wonderful selection of colors and patterns. This paper is great for Japanese paper quilting, iris folding, floral art or just general card making and scrapbooking.

Playing with the new Wood Paper

Wingdoodle has lots of new products and the new wood paper is exquisite. It is wood, sliced into paper. There are 2 thicknesses, thin (think stiff cardstock) or thick (like sheets of balsa wood). Wingdoodle has 2 varieties, cherry and birch. The cherry has rich red undertones which makes a great earthy background for drawing and stamping. The birch is pale and subtle, but still has the wood grain.
I immediately tried a few techniques. First, I stamped with dye inks. The wood took the stamping beautifully with no bleeding of the ink. I stamped with a fine etched image - the pinecone on the left and with a more "rustic" image on the right. Both came out beautifully.

The wood paper can be cut with regular paper scissors or can be die cut. I used a die cut machine and tried to do 2 sheets at once. This almost worked. But, I got much cleaner cuts doing just one sheet at a time.

Next, I tried using distress inks. The wood paper took the distress inks beautifully, with the grain of the wood still showing. The ink coverage is not opaque, it is translucent, so the natural wood grain shows. I like this. I am guessing that if you added many coats of ink, you wouldn't see much grain, but I wanted the beauty of the wood to be obvious. I used just a hint of the red distress ink - for a lady bug's body and the yellow ink for the bee's torso. I like how they came out.

I did try and draw on the paper with a micro permanent marker. The marker did bleed. I used this to my advantage, by making veins in the leaves of the flower brooch below.

I also used this in outlining the bee's stripes. Since the marker bled on the wood paper, I would note this when drawing or making zentangles on the wood paper.
Also, there is a "warning" on the back of the paper - "The tendency of wood veneer to curl is natural and does not affect it's usability in any way."

So, taking advantage of this natural property, I made the flower brooch above. Now, when I made it, the petals didn't curl naturally! Go figure. So, I simply cupped the layers in my hand to form the shape. I did this about 5 times with each layers and it seems to stay that way now!

Lastly, I made this two sided tag using brown paper and stamps - all found at Wingdoodle. I stuck with the "organic" colors, the earthtones and the twine for the tag.

Wingdoodle has a bunch of stamps following the "earthy theme" including animals, foliage, fish and fossils! All of these would be great with the wood paper.

I can't wait to try making another brooch using the THICK wood paper.

The paper comes in 3 sizes - small, medium 8.5" x 11" and large sheets. I used the medium sheets and found that I have some leftover.

Happy Tape - Part 2 (washi tape)

Happy Tape is washi paper tape carried at Wingdoodle. Here is the original post from January when the new stash arrived! Washi paper is the Japanese paper we are used to seeing when doing origami. It is durable, takes a fold well and comes in beautiful, beautiful patterns and colors.

Happy Tape is slightly tacky and adheres beautifully to things. But, it is forgiving and most of the time allows for replacement without ripping or sticking.

Washi tape cuts beautifully with non-stick scissors, cuts well with non-coated scissors and tears easily. It's texture is like a smoother masking tape.

Happy tape is translucent which allows it be effective when used on glass, plastic, plexiglass or over images where you still want to see a shadow or outline.

My favorite uses for Happy Tape are when embellishing everyday materials and making them look new and fun.

Here is a card using the brilliant red patterned happy tape as a frame for the stamped and colored image. (Stamp from Stampotique Originals 6002M) Here I coordinated the girls dress to the color of the washi tape.
Here are ordinary packing tags used by scrapbookers and card makers. Just a few strips of Happy Tape and they are dressed up and fun. Instant gratification! Making a series of these would be great wedding favors or bookmarks.
My daughter made these scrumptious cupcakes. I embellished them with a washi paper flag and her birthday number!
Here, I dressed up simple candles from the grocery store. Taking a plain glass candle to match my room's decor.
Lastly, here is a utilitarian purpose for happy tape. Plain old labeling! But there is nothing plain about it. Happy Tape is easy to write on, too!

Iris Folding Class

I had another Iris Folding class yesterday and it was a great class.
It was a little intense at first but as everyone got the hang of the iris folding things loosened up. As usual Shelley gave me a hard time and didn't want to follow directions, (just kidding Shelley it's always fun having you in my classes.) Anyway, by the end of the class everyone was able to put together their own colors for their kimonos and as you can see from the pictures all the projects turned out beautiful. Thank you to all the ladies who came to the class. I love doing these kinds of classes.

Iris Folding Class

I will be doing an Iris Folding Class on Saturday February 20th. We will be making 3 beautiful cards using Japanese Washi papers. It is a fun class and once you take this class and learn to iris fold no telling where it will take you. Several people have told me about seeing beautiful framed scenes for sell at art shows all done with iris folding. You will be able to pick your own papers from different patterns and colors that I will provide for the class. The picture seen here is of a previous class.

Date: Saturday February 20th, 2010
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Cost $18.00
Place: Wingdoodle
Teacher: SherRee

Call Wingdoodle at 456-3515
Come by the store and sign up
Email: Wingdoodlemail@gmail.com
We are also on facebook

Japanese Paper Quilting Class

I love doing these kinds of classes. I always feel a little stressed when I decide to let people pick their own papers for the Japanese paper quilting and the Iris folding classes but it always works out great. It takes a little longer for the class but I love the combinations of patterns and colors people put together. Here are some pictures from the class I just did with pictures of some of the cards. Thank you to everyone who came to the class. It was a great class and I enjoyed doing it.

Happy Tape Is Here

What is Happytape?

Happytape is colored Japanese masking tape, now in the United
States. It is made of Japanese Washi paper. It's perfect for decorating packages, gift wrapping, scrapbooking, cardmaking,
fancy labels and artsy collages. It's a little transparent so it looks great layered. It tears nicely too! And now we have it at Wingdoodle. It is so exciting getting new stuff in the store.

Japanese Paper Quilting Class

Japanese Paper Quilting Class

Saturday January 30, 2010

1pm - 3:30pm

Cost $18.00

We will be using Japanese Washi papers to make 4 cards 2 of which will be Valentines. Just picking out which papers you want to use will take half the class. All supplies are included but if you want to use double stick tape instead of glue you will have to supply your own. Call or email if you would like to sign up for this class.

Washi Paper Quilting

Washi Paper Quilting is a unique fun way to create beautiful three dimensional (3D) "puffy" designs. Washi Paper Quilting is based on a tradional Japanese doll making technique call "Kime Komi" and Oshie. Japanese kimono fabric is used on the dolls, but Hanko Designs decided to incorporate Japanses Washi paper instead. The handmade silk screened Washi Paper enables you to addapt the "Kime Komi: technique. We just got in 2 of their new Washi Paper Quilting kits. The kits include patterns, foam, board and instructions, just add paper. Also check out some of Hanko's beautiful papers at Wingdoodle. The papers can be used for Iris Folding, Origami and general card making.

Another Iris Folding Class

I had another great iris folding class. We used so many exquisite papers and all the projects turned out beautiful and different. My next iris folding class will be in September and that class will be iris folding for Christmas cards.

Happy Stamping

Sher Ree

Hanko Paper

We just received some beautiful Japanese paper from Hanko and
also 3 new Japanese quilting kits. The kits include patterns, foam and cardboard,the paper is sold separately. We also have a Japanese paper quilting book, bulk packages of foam, several books on origami plus origami kits. The Japanese papers lend themselves beautifully to both iris folding and origami. Come by and check out the new arrivals.

Happy Stamping

Sher Ree

Iris Folding

This was one of the best classes, everyone's projects turned out beautiful and different. We made three cards a shamrock, an Easter basket and a kimono. The kimonos were stunning and everyone's favorite project. All of them are worthy of framing and displaying. The pictures I took don't do them justice. For those of you who missed this class I will be holding another iris folding class in May. Other than the kimono we will be doing different projects in the class. So watch the blog for a date.

Happy Stamping

Sher Ree