Back to School — October 31, 2018

Washi Tape Your Pencils and Notebooks

Back to School — October 31, 2018

Washi Tape Your Pencils and Notebooks

Goodies You Can't Google

You've found a member-exclusive project. But for less than the price of a fancy coffee... You'll get instant access to this and over 2,000 other premium projects inside the Lia Griffith membership!

Become a Member

“With Lia, you get a ton of beautiful projects from one site. It saves me time searching the web, and the project tutorials and videos are easy to follow. I definitely get my money's worth every month!” Vivian

Confession time. I am addicted to washi tape. Not only are the pretty colors and patterns a pull for me, but it is also the fun projects I see that are waiting to be created with this pretty tape that have pushed me into the state of obsession. I am very lucky to have Collage, a local craft supply store in my neighborhood that has a washi tape obsession equal to mine. For those of you who don’t live in Portland, my second favorite source is Cute Tape and her online shop. You can also find washi tape in most craft stores. So today we are using the washi tape to create these adorable notebooks and to cover classic orange/yellow pencils. This project is just in time for your back to school shopping. I found the pencils and small notebooks in the dollar bin at Target. For my notebooks I used a lot of variety of tapes, but you can easily create a cute design by coordinating 2 or more colors and patterns. Check out my step-by-step tutorial below then join me in my washi tape obsession. Cheers! ~ Lia

Save

All the Goodies You Can't Google 🎁

Tired of scrolling endlessly for the perfect project? Save time, money, and Google-induced headaches with us! Our membership makes it easy to create beautifully finished crafts without needing to look all over the internet for ideas and materials or spend lots of money on individual videos and templates.

Become a Member

Back to the Top

Discussion

Ask Lia or the community!

39 Comments

allison September 4, 2015 at 8:38am

Love your washi tape notebook idea. My daughter just started at new school (3rd grade) and needs to decorate a notebook this weekend. We don’t have a lot of craft supplies, but we have a ton of “Tapefiti” which looks a lot like washi tape. Do you think this will work? Also, is it necessary to cover with white label paper first? And do you have any tips to keep the tape secure? Would “sealing” with wide packing tape be advisable? That’s about all I have on hand. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Reply
1. Lia September 4, 2015 at 9:51am
  
  @allison
  
  The washi tape is a bit see-through so that is why I added the white paper. If the Tapefiti doesn’t show the pattern on the notebook then no need. Also, if the Tapefiti is sticky enough you may not need to seal. Again washi tape tends to be less sticky. Have fun!!
  
  Reply
Sammy December 30, 2014 at 9:09pm

Nice Tutorial!

Reply
Sarah November 18, 2014 at 2:17pm

Found you on Pinterest =) I’m making some pencils right now and hope to show them with my readers in a few weeks.

Reply
1. Lia November 19, 2014 at 10:03am
  
  @Sarah
  
  Yay!
  
  Reply
Laura July 24, 2014 at 1:15pm

Happened to find this post via Pinterest. I was wondering – do you encounter any problems when sharpening the pencils? I’d be worried the type might gum things up.

Reply
1. Lia July 25, 2014 at 4:22pm
  
  @Laura
  
  I have not had trouble with it. The washi that I use is paper not a plastic like some American made versions, so it works great when I sharpen.
  
  Reply
Patricia February 24, 2014 at 10:49am

Loved the washied pencils and notebooks. BUT…most of all I would LOVE to know what type container you have your washi tape in. It looks so cute and practical for corralling all those rolls. Would love a reply. Hugs!!

Reply
1. Lia February 24, 2014 at 6:23pm
  
  @Patricia
  
  Those are serving dishes from Tag. I got them quite a few years ago.
  
  Reply
scrapbook January 22, 2014 at 7:36am

I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this website
is in fact fastidious.

Reply
1. Lia January 22, 2014 at 8:17am
  
  @scrapbook
  
  Thanks for pinning. I will have to check out your shop.
  
  Reply
martha September 23, 2013 at 6:30am

hermosooo

Reply
1. Lia September 23, 2013 at 8:37am
  
  @martha
  
  I guess that is good? lol
  
  Reply
Jameela September 20, 2013 at 2:04am

Love your tutorial and the final products.
Was wondering though, do i HAVE to paint the pencils and cover the notebook with label? I don’t have those things, so i’ll actually have to go and buy them 😛

Reply
1. Lia September 20, 2013 at 3:56pm
  
  @Jameela
  
  No, you don’t have to. My washi tape is somewhat transparent, so I did not want the yellow undertone. Also did not want the pattern on the notebooks to show through, but you can do it without the extra layer for sure.
  
  Reply
  1. Jameela September 20, 2013 at 4:00pm
    
    @Lia
    
    AHA! Now it makes total sense :P…thank you! Can’t wait to make a few sets now!
    
    Reply
    1. Lia September 20, 2013 at 4:01pm
      
      @Jameela
      
      You will get addicted to washi tape. 🙂
      
      Reply
Jessica September 12, 2013 at 4:02pm

So I had just gotten home from Collage on NE Alberta with a birthday gift set of washi tapes for my new 11 y.o. neighbor. I hit Google for washi tape ideas to include with the gift and land up right here, on a local blogger’s awesome washi tape tutorial! FUN! I just made a pencil to go in her birthday package. Thanks & nice to meet you neighbor!

Reply
1. Lia September 12, 2013 at 6:56pm
  
  @Jessica
  
  Hi Jessica! Collage has THE BEST selection of washi tape. I wish they had an online shop for the rest of the world. I feel so lucky to have them. So happy you found my blog! I love meeting local bloggers too. Perhaps we will meet in the real world soon.
  
  Reply
Nicole August 4, 2013 at 9:07am

What a completely clever yet simple project! The tutorial and photos are so lovely and perfectly styled. I love that i now have a rad way to use bits of random washi tape i have lying around and i’ll be able to give a second life to freebie notebooks with not so cute covers! Thank you 🙂

Reply
1. Lia August 5, 2013 at 8:31am
  
  @Nicole
  
  Thanks Nicole! I always hate tossing those homely little notebooks.
  
  Reply
Emma August 4, 2013 at 1:19am

Where can I buy washi tape?? Where is it sold??

Reply
1. Lia August 5, 2013 at 8:33am
  
  @Emma
  
  You can check at your local craft stores, and you can find it online at wishiwashi.com and cutetape.com. I hear that Scotch just came out with a line they are selling in office stores, but I have not confirmed that yet.
  
  Reply
Gia July 29, 2013 at 6:20pm

oh you totally should check out http://www.wishywashi.com they are awesome! Those notebooks are to die for!

Reply
1. Lia July 29, 2013 at 7:57pm
  
  @Gia
  
  Great little shop! Thanks for the link!!
  
  Reply
Anca July 26, 2013 at 12:42pm

I love making lists and jotting down notes and sketches – and this is such a great idea to use my ever growing washi tape collection to beautify my small notebooks! Thank you for such a great tutorial 🙂

Reply
1. Lia July 26, 2013 at 1:33pm
  
  @Anca
  
  You are welcome! My little spiral has a new washi cover too and I am loving it. I just posted it on instagram.
  
  Reply
~amy~ July 21, 2013 at 6:23am

sooo pretty!

Reply
1. Lia July 22, 2013 at 6:52pm
  
  @~amy~
  
  Thanks!
  
  Reply
Cathy July 20, 2013 at 11:13am

What an amazing picture tutorial. Thank you so much for the time you took to put this post together. It’s truly inspiring and beautiful, and an adorable craft product in the end! Thank you, thank you.

Reply
1. Lia July 22, 2013 at 6:58pm
  
  @Cathy
  
  Wow! What a sweet comment! This totally made my day. 🙂
  
  Reply
Renae July 19, 2013 at 6:48pm

Love the collection you have built up -especially the combos on the books! Washi is addicting!!

Reply
1. Lia July 19, 2013 at 7:18pm
  
  @Renae
  
  As is felt! 😉
  
  Reply
Janet July 18, 2013 at 7:32pm

I think you’ve just pushed me over the edge…. I was trying to resist washi tape – which is really weird because I don’t usually allow myself to resist *anything* – but now you’ve got my fingers just itching to click on that washi tape website so I can play with this stuff….

Thanks, Lia. Thanks a lot…….

Reply
1. Lia July 18, 2013 at 10:09pm
  
  @Janet
  
  Oh good! You will be joining me in the crazy then. 😉
  
  Reply
Faith July 18, 2013 at 5:17pm

Mahalo (thank you) Lia!!! Live in Hawaii so assortment of “washi” tape is limited! Luckily my daughter lives in CA, (where I am currently) so will purchase from Michaels or Joanns. First time with washi tape, and will follow your instructions!

Reply
1. Lia July 18, 2013 at 10:12pm
  
  @Faith
  
  Yes, stock up! Remember you can find some treasures online too. Try CuteTape.com. (she is not paying me to say that). haha.
  
  Reply
Lisa July 18, 2013 at 4:22pm

These are just too cute! They will be on my back-to-school teacher gift idea list for sure! Perfect gift for the kids to help make, too.

Do you have any tips for keeping the washi tape secure? Every time I’ve tried wrapping things with washi, it starts peeling off within minutes or hours! Could I seal it with Mod Podge or something?

Lisa 🙂

Reply
1. Lia July 18, 2013 at 10:13pm
  
  @Lisa
  
  Mine are looking really good, no peeling. It may be the quality of tape. Run over to the Collage on Alberta and try one of the MT brand rolls. See if that may work better.
  
  Reply