Washi tape notebooks

Here I will show you how to transform an old notebook in a matter of minutes. All you need is a notebook to decorate, washi tape and a pair of scissors. 

Step 1: choose which tapes you would like to decorate with and in what order.

Step 2: put the tape on the notebook and cut each piece with just a few cms to spare. You can experiment with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines to see which you like best.

Step 3: fold the excess tape over the edge so it gives a nice, crisp finish.

Washi tape photo frames

I have only just discovered washi tapes but they are amazing!! You can get so many gorgeous designs and they transform everday things like frames and notebooks into something beautiful! 

For the photo frames I used these decorative tapes from the Kirsty Allsop range available from sainsburys.

All you need for this project is a plain photo frame, decorative tape and scissors.

Step 1: remove the glass and paper from the plain frame.

Step 2: stick the tape to the edges of the frame, press down and then cut off the excess.

Step 3: place a photo and the glass back in and you have a pretty photo frame.

Rolled magazine photo frame

This is quite quick and easy but makes the perfect gift for a friend or family member's birthday. You can make the frame suit their room by choosing magazine papers that fit their colour scheme.

Step 1: select some magazine pages which are colourful/ patterned and don't have too much text. Cut off any uneven edges.

Step 2: roll the page around a pencil, starting from a corner.

Step 3: apply glue using a glue stick to the last 5 cms at the top.

Step 4: slide the pencil out.

Step 5: make several of the rolls and cut them to different lengths.

Step 6: cut some cardboard into a rectangle and cut a smaller rectangle from the middle of your rectangle.

Step 7: arrange the rolls in a pattern and glue in place, you may need to trim some of them further.

Step 8: attach a photo to the middle and show it off!

Collage pencil pot

This would be a lovely Mother's Day gift as mums love neat stationary. You can make it in her favourite colours or to suit her office/workspace.

Step 1: get some magazines or pretty papers.

Step 2: rip out some colours/patterns you want to use.

Step 3: cut a Pringles tube to about 12cm

Step 4: glue your pretty papers onto the Pringles tube with PVA glue and cover the whole way round.

Step 5: cover the whole pencil pot with PVA glue to seal it all in and give a shine.

Quick and simple birthday card

This is really pretty and can be adapted to suit different people for example you could use blues and greens and dangle aeroplanes instead of hearts!

Get a pretty piece of card. Cut a patterned piece of paper to go on the top 5cm. Stick it on.

Glue a piece of black ribbon to the join

Cut out two hearts from patterned card. Glue some silver ribbon from the black ribbon to part way down the card. Use sticky dots to attach the two hearts. Stick a happy birthday sticker in the bottom right corner.

Attach buttons to the centre of the heart using a sticky dot. Attach tiny gems to the join where the silver ribbon meets the black ribbon.

Beaded friendship bracelet

These look really effective and are quite simple to make, the hardest bit is finding pretty beads that will fit on your embroidery silk.

Step 1: measure 30cm of embroidery silk and cut it. Measure 120cm of the same colour and cut it.

Step 2: fold the long piece in half and tie a knot capturing the short piece also and leaving a loop.

Step 3: do two square knots.

Step 4: slide a bead onto the middle piece of silk.

Step 5 continue steps 3-4 until the bracelet is the desired length.

Step 6: tie a knot and cut off the excess making sure you leave enough to tie it on your wrist.

Decoupage box

You can use a variety of things for decoupage, decoupage paper works well but is quite expensive. Magazines and comic books work well and are much more affordable. You can even use napkins as you can get them in a huge variety of colours and patterns.

Step 1: rip up the paper you are using

Step 2: mix half PVA glue with half water

Step 3: cover the box in the glue mixture

Step 4: cover the box with your paper

Step 5: wait for it to dry

Step 6: cover it in PVA glue to add a seal and a shiny finish