Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Tuesday Tutorial: Patterned Paper & Designer Tape Straws

June 11, 2013

Tuesday Tutorial: Patterned Paper & Designer Tape Straws

Today we have a fun tutorial for you from layout designer Gina Lideros. She is sharing how she made fun, decorative straws using patterned paper and designer tapes.

“This Place Makes Me So Happy”, by Gina Lideros.

I have been in love with all of the colorful paper straws that I have been finding in stores lately for summer, and even more in love with the new trend of using them on layouts! I purchased some plain white paper straws online and decided that it would be fun to make my own pattern paper straws using Bella's papers and washi tapes. I love the look!

Step 1: To create my own custom straws first I gathered up an assortment of pattern papers and designer tapes.

Step 2: I used a paper trimmer to trim thin strips of pattern papers and designer tapes (measuring about 1/4 of an inch x 12). Tip: I found that when trimming strips of designer tape it is easier to adhere it to a strip of cardstock or paper scrap first before trimming it with a trimmer.

Here is what the strips look like after they have been cut.

Step 3: Apply adhesive to the backside of the paper strip.

Step 4: Working at the top of a paper straw start wrapping the paper strip around in a diagonal twirled fashion.

Step 5: When you get to the end of the paper straw cut off the excess paper and glue the ends down. I found that a strong liquid glue works well for this.

Here is a shot of all the paper straws after I wrapped them all.

Step 6: Last, I arranged them on my layout and glued them down using a strong liquid glue. After they dried, I cut off the excess pieces, and added my photo and embellishments.

Supplies:
Sand & Surf: Paradise, Surf's Up, Flying High, Beach Balls, Borders, Cute Cuts, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Chipboard Icons; Designer Tapes: Pony Stripe, 12 mm Combo, Polka Dot Combo, Ice Stripe, Pickle Juice Chevron, Hot Pink Dot, Punch Chevron