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Something Crafty #15: DIY Etched Glass

When it comes to do-it-yourself weddings, more and more brides are upping the craft ante by dreaming up or recreating elaborate projects that hardly look homemade. These complex creations can be terrifyingly unnerving to the Sunday crafter who wants a little piece of the wedding crafting action, so today’s tutorial offers a comfortable middle ground. Etched glass has an appearance of sophistication, but mastering the technique of simple glass etching is actually quite doable. Our resident crafter, Polly Conway, is here to show you how to jazz up ordinary glassware using this centuries-old art form.

Etched glass is a perennial wedding favorite; it’s classy, personalized, and . . . totally doable at home! Glass etching is kind of intimidating (and a little bit dangerous), but it’s so worth the extra effort. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how professional and, dare I say, beautiful your etched pieces will look. Wedding-wise, you can etch champagne flutes, candle holders, pint glasses, Mason jars, mirrors, and more, creating unique heirloom glassware. If it’s glass, you can etch it! And it’s versatile; go for a classic Victorian look or something more modern, such as the look we achieved by using simple geometric shapes.

Supplies needed:

1. Glass (Use an old jar for your first try.)

2. Etching cream

3. Contact paper

4. Wooden popsicle stick

5. Painter’s tape

6. Rubbing alcohol

7. Rubber gloves

8. Stencils

9. Scissors

Step 1: Clean glass surface with alcohol. If the glass is dirty or smudged, the etching process won’t work.

Step 2: Choose your stencil image and trace it onto a piece of contact paper. For beginners, it’s easier to etch a larger area without too many details. Fun options include letters, stripes, polka dots, or hand-cut geometric shapes. Reminder: The area that gets etched is the part that’s exposed, so cut your stencils accordingly. You can cut out your own letters and shapes with the contact paper, but you can also usepre-cut alphabet stickers for ease.


Step 3: Peel and stick contact paper stencil onto the glass. Press around the edges to make sure it’s secure, adding painter’s tape on all sides. Swipe area to be etched with alcohol again in case of fingerprints. (This stuff can be fussy!)

Step 4: Put on gloves. (Etching cream is crazy toxic: If it can change the properties of glass, you don’t want it on your skin. See packaging for more safety details.) With popsicle stick, spread an even layer of etching cream onto the area you want etched. Wait 3-5 minutes, then spread the cream around again, moving any crystals to create the most even finish. Leave cream on for a total of 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: With gloves still on, rinse cream off with warm water. Remove stickers and tape. Dry glass. A frosted image should  remain!

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Something Crafty #14: Fabric Confetti and Favor Bags

Boldly printed fabrics are all the rage on the wedding scene these days, whether they’re used to make custom linens, such as decorative pillows and dinner napkins, or fashioned into colorful confetti and treat bags like these playful, winsome creations crafted by Polly Conway, connoisseur of all things cute. Novice sewers and the craftily challenged, fear not—this project is as easy as pie, and there’s a sew-free option for those like me who break into a cold sweat whenever they come within sight of a sewing machine. Here’s Polly with the step-by-step tutorial.

There’s a wealth of fabric out there right now, from the beautiful to the whimsical. You can easily incorporate some of these fun fabrics into your wedding décor! Afraid of sewing machines? This is an incredibly simple beginners’ sewing project that will boost your confidence: simple confetti or favor bags tied with ribbon and finished off with a rustic-looking zigzag edge thanks to a staple pair of pinking shears. Hear me out: All you have to do is sew five—count ’em, five—straight lines. You can do it! And if you don’t have a machine, I’ve included a super-easy version that looks just as good.

Supplies needed:

1. Cotton fabric (Two of my favorite online shops, Fabricworm and Superbuzzy, should keep you browsing for hours!)

2. Sewing machine

3. Matching thread

4. Pinking shears

5. Pins

6. Scissors

7. Grosgrain ribbon

Step 1: Cut 2 4″x 5″ rectangles from your chosen fabric with regular scissors. With the right sides facing together, stitch along three sides. You now have a bag! Next, you’ll give it a flat bottom.

Step 2: Pinch one side of the bottom edge of the bag flat and pin it across at about 1″. Pin other side, then stitch across each side. You’ll now have two triangles that you can snip off along with any stray threads.

Step 3: Turn the bag right-side out. Using the pinking shears, cut carefully across the top for a charming finished edge. 

Step 4: Fill with Jordan almonds, lavender buds, or rice, and tie with a matching ribbon.

Super-easy no-sew version: Cut a 10″ circle with pinking shears. Place the bag’s contents in the middle and bring all the sides up, wonton-style. Tightly tie your ribbon, and you’re done!

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Something Crafty #13: Watercolor Doily Garland

If you follow the wedding blogging scene, you’ve probably already been inundated with more Valentine’s Day inspiration than you can healthily handle, but we couldn’t resist adding a dash of our own sweetness into the mix. We think old Saint Valentine, who was imprisoned for performing secret weddings, would approve. This charmingly simple craft, created by the always-inspiring Polly Conway, is a cinch to make and can easily be adapted for wedding décor purposes.

How better to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with that traditional bit of lace: the paper doily! Here’s a way to add a bit of delicate color to these inexpensive treats; you’ll want to hang this banner year-round. You can also use these doilies as they were meant to be used—underneath cookies, cupcakes, or cocktails on the special day!

Supplies needed:

1.Paper doilies

2. Heart or other themed stamp

3. Ink pad

4. Watercolors

5. Paintbrush

6. Baker’s twine

Step 1: Stamp each doily and let dry for a minute or two.

Step 2: Begin painting a doily with a single shade, adding less water for saturated color or lots for a light wash. Just go for it! Watercolors are very forgiving. Alternate with two or three different colors. The doilies will be pretty damp at this point; let them dry for at least 20 minutes.

Step 3: Once the doilies are dry, weave a length of baker’s twine through the doilies’ top holes. Repeat until you have a banner! Hang with washi tape or pins.

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Something Crafty #12: Neon Skeleton Keys

You’ve probably seen rusty old skeleton keys turn up at quite a few vintage-themed weddings. Given their symbolism and their beautifully ornate look, with the tops, or bows, featuring Gothic trefoils, quatrefoils, and other intriguing shapes, they’re an unsurprisingly popular wedding décor item. Today, our crafty girl, Polly Conway, has given these antique icons a modern makeover using acrylic paint and washi tape for a fun, updated twist on the trend. Here’s Polly with all the colorful details.

Keys! They’re a classic, symbolic piece of wedding décor. I wanted to create a modern, versatile take on the skeleton key by combining two of my favorite trends: washi tape and neon. These bold keys can adorn favors, hang from floral arrangements, or be used as color-coded escort cards. Read on for this super-simple how-to!

Supplies needed:

1. Vintage-style keys (I used these inexpensive replicas meant for scrapbooking!)

2. Acrylic paint in chosen colors

3. Paintbrush

4. Washi tape

5. Scissors

6. Kraft paper tags

7. Baker’s twine

8. Optional: letter/number stamps

Step 1: Decide which parts of the keys you’d like to paint. Paint a thin layer on each and let dry for 10-15 minutes. Repeat until the color you want is achieved. One or two layers will create a distressed look, while three or four will give a more uniform color. (Waiting for the paint to dry is by far the hardest part of this project.)

Step 2: Wrap a length of washi tape around the body of the key, sticking it together to create a little flag. Tear ends of tape, or use scissors to snip simple designs.

Step 3: Almost done! The painted and taped keys already look great as is, but depending on your needs, you can add more detail by attaching them to kraft paper tags with baker’s twine or stamping words directly onto the washi tape tags.

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Something Crafty #11: Yarn-Wrapped Wreaths

A décor element that’s enjoyed a place in wedding ceremonies for centuries, the humble wreath has meaning and longevity. Our craft expert, Polly, put a delightful spin on the traditional floral version with these colorful and crafty creations, which make wonderful use of yarn and felt. Here’s our girl to share today’s doable do-it-yourself project.

These charming wreaths are a crafty classic that will fit right into your DIY wedding! Styrofoam wreaths come in all sizes, so they’re versatile depending on your wedding needs. You can make a bunch of small wreaths to adorn chair backs or the ends of church pews, or you can make a few big ones to decorate doors and windows. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make memorable wreath favors!

Supplies needed:

1. Styrofoam wreath (available at your local craft store in all sizes)

2. Yarn in contrasting colors

3. Moss

4. Spun cotton mushrooms (I get mine here!), feathers, felt, or other décor

5. Hot glue gun

Step 1: Wind up a ball of yarn that will fit through the wreath’s center. Tie yarn in a knot around the wreath and begin wrapping tightly. Keep wrapping! This part is a little tedious and takes a while, but it’s kind of relaxing once you get into the groove.

Step 2: When you’re ready to change colors, tie the original yarn color off and begin with the new color in the same way. You can snip the tails of yarn or wrap around them. Keep going until the entire wreath is covered in yarn.

Step 3: If you like a simple, clean look, you can stop here! These wreaths look lovely on their own, but you can add easy felt flowers for added flair. Google “felt flower tutorial,” and you’ll find oodles of varieties, or check out the felt poppy tutorial right here on Limn & Lovely! Figure out what kind of décor fits in with your wedding theme, and lay out a little grouping of decorations. Using the glue gun, stick ‘em on there. You can also use pins to attach décor to the wreath; they’ll disappear into the yarn.

Step 4: Tie a ribbon around the wreath for hanging. You’re done!

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Something Crafty #10: Pinecone Cake Toppers

When it comes to wedding details, there are few things we love more than an adorable handmade cake topper. Although this little bauble may seem like a trivial element, it’s kind of like the Magi’s star atop a Christmas tree—a little bit of magic happens the moment it’s shifted into place, and a tree just isn’t a Christmas tree without it. Created by Polly Conway, our crafty girl extraordinaire, with the cute-minded bride in mind, these retro-inspired pinecone toppers have a little seasonal sparkle and are the perfect finishing touch for a homespun—think spackled buttercream—winter wedding cake. Here’s Polly with all the details.

I fell in love with spun cotton a few years ago when I thrifted some incredibly detailed Christmas ornaments, painstakingly crafted from simple supplies like crepe paper, pipe cleaners, and yarn. They were so sweet, and their little faces had so much personality! I wanted to see if I could replicate that retro look on my own, and after some experimenting, I’m sharing my process with you in the form of bride ‘n’ groom cake toppers. Again, these little friends can double as favors or table décor; heck, you could make one for each member of the bridal party!

Supplies needed:

1. Spun cotton balls (Get any size here, and have fun browsing the other gorgeous millinery treats!)

2. Pinecones 

3. Felt-tip pens

4. Hot glue gun

5. Craft glue

6. Various supplies like pipe cleaners, crepe paper, yarn, German glass glitter, millinery flowers, or dollhouse miniatures

7. Wood or cardboard base 

Step 1: Hair! To create glitter hair, spread craft glue around a spun cotton ball (the head), then dip into a tray of glitter. Let dry. For yarn hair, add glue, then gently drape pieces of yarn onto the head. Let dry. You can trim later.

Step 2: With the hot glue gun, attach the spun cotton balls to each pinecone, creating a head and body. 

Step 3: Use felt-tip pens to add features to the face. Keep it simple: two black dots for eyes, a small red line for the mouth, and a little pink blush if desired. You can also add freckles or lashes if you’re feeling ambitious.

Step 4: Wrap a length of pipe cleaner around the neck to create arms. Bend as needed. You can also add legs with the glue gun.

Step 5: With glue gun, attach figures to the base. Now you can give your bride and groom some character and create a little scene using your extras. Have fun!

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Something Crafty #9: Felt Poppies

In creating today’s DIY project, Polly drew inspiration from one of our recent mood boards: Icelandic Poppy. Although poppies are extraordinarily beautiful, they can be hard to come by, and they’re not exactly cheap, so we decided to make a more economical alternative using one of the craft world’s most versatile materials: fun and funky felt! Here’s Polly to fill you in on all the DIY details.

Having grown up in California, I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for the poppy. It’s the state flower, and my parents’ front yard fills with them every year. They’re such a delicate but vibrant flower, and when I saw Limn & Lovely’s Icelandic Poppy mood board, I was struck by poppy love and wanted to replicate that heavenly bouquet immediately. Using simple supplies such as felt and yarn, I tried to mimic the wintry beauty that poppies bring! You can make a whole flower in just a few minutes; these felt poppies are great for bouquets, of course, but can also easily be made into boutonnieres, pins, or hair clips. Have fun!

Supplies needed:

1. Felt (Regular ol’ felt is inexpensive and works great, but you can upgrade to a wool blend for more vibrant colors and a gorgeous texture.)

2. Paper for template

3. Green floral stems

4. Floral tape in green or brown

5. Black or yellow eyelash yarn

6. Scissors

7. Thread

8. Needle

Step 1: Create your petal template using printer paper or another type of thin paper. There are lots of printable options; I used these and also made a few of my own. You can freehand some uneven circles and some lumpy bow-tie shapes; honestly, the less perfect they are, the more they’ll look like real poppies once they get stitched together. Try a few combinations and see what you like best. Pin the template to your felt and cut out a bunch of petals.

Step 2: Stack two smaller petals on top of the large round one. Then wrap a 5-10″ length of eyelash yarn around your finger. This will create the middle (the stigma, if you wanna get technical) of the bloom. Slide it off and place it in the middle of the flower. 

Step 3: Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end. Grab all the petals and bring your needle up through the middle, including all layers. Bring it back down, stitching to secure the yarn to the petals. Do this a few more times, then tie the thread off and snip ends.

Step 4: You now have a flower! To give it some shape, stitch a circle around the back, then pull it tight and tie a knot. Arrange the petals.

Step 5: Snip two small slits in the back of the flower, then loop a wire stem through, twisting to tighten. Wrap with floral wire.

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Something Crafty #8: Hand-Embroidered Mason Jar Wraps

The use of Mason jars is one wedding trend that we have yet to grow tired of. As far as we can tell, the budget friendliness and versatility of these humble canning containers will keep them in the wedding game for years to come. Since they make an appearance at so many weddings, however, the trick is dreaming up an original way to use them. It tickles us pink when someone comes up with an idea for breathing new life into a tried-and-true trend, and our crafty girl, Polly, has done just that with her enviable embroidery skills. Fear not; they’re easy to learn!

Hand embroidery is one of the traditional crafts that’s been transformed by the current crop of DIY enthusiasts! While it may seem intricate and intimidating, embroidery doesn’t have to be hard. It’s easy to learn a few basic stitches that look pretty darn impressive, and you can use your newfound skills to adorn anything from napkins to gift tags. I like this project because it’s super inexpensive; embroidery is a wonderfully low-cost craft (thread still costs 39¢!), and the result is a totally adorable and customizable accoutrement for your cozy outdoor wedding.

Supplies needed:

1. Canvas fabric

2. Embroidery thread

3. Embroidery needle

4. Mason jars or vases

5. Scissors

6. Pencil

Step 1: Cut a strip of canvas about an inch wide and as long as you need to tie around your jar or vase. 

Step 2: With a light pencil, draw or trace the image you’d like to embroider. For this project, keep it simple! You can freehand a heart, initials, a flower, or anything else you want to represent the new couple. (There are also lots of simple patterns online; Sublime Stitching or Wild Olive are great resources for chic and modern images.) Don’t be scared of imperfection; embroidery is a homey, rustic-looking art anyway.

Step 3: Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Begin stitching. I like to use the backstitch, one of the easiest embroidery stitches, which is great for outlining. It’s basically a series of even up-and-down stitches; here’s a little extra instruction on the details.

Step 4: When you’re done stitching, cut your thread. Tie the strip of canvas onto a Mason jar or vase, and you’ve got a special table centerpiece that can double as a take-home for some lucky guests.

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Something Crafty #7: Handmade Envelopes and Liners

Everyone loves getting something pretty in the mail, something shiny and bright and sent with love tucked in among the piles of angry-looking bills and obnoxious junk mail. A wedding provides the perfect opportunity to fill your loved ones’ mailboxes with lots of mood-lifting prettiness, so why not try your hand at making your own envelopes instead of settling for the generic store-bought kind? It’s easy, we promise! Here’s the lovely Polly to show you how.

If you’re getting married, you’re going to need a lot of envelopes. You’ve got save the dates, bridal shower invites, bachelorette party invites, the actual wedding invitation itself, thank-yous—it’s quite a list! If you feel like going the extra mile, making your own envelopes is pretty darn easy and super satistfying, and it gives you the power to create the exact patterns and color combinations of your dreams!

Supplies needed:

1. Scrapbooking paper/card stock in colors of your choice

2. Envelope and liner templates (I got mine at Paper Source (they’re sturdy and reusable), but you can also download your own templates and print ‘em out.)

3. Bone folder or letter opener

4. Double-sided tape or glue stick

5. Scissors

6. Scalloped scissors (optional)

7. Pen or pencil

Step 1: Trace lightly around the envelope template with your pen or pencil. Keep the template in place.

Step 2: With the bone folder or other non-sharp device, score (press hard along) the paper where you’ll be folding it later. This will make the folding easier and ensure that your envelope will look extra tidy. Cut.

Step 3: Trace around the envelope liner template and cut out. You can use scalloped scissors to give the liner a softer and more detailed look. Place inside the unfolded envelope, then, when you see where you want it to be, add some double-sided tape or glue and stick it.

Step 4: Add tape to the appropriate areas of the envelope itself and fold it into its final shape. Everything should stick nicely, and you now have a lovely handmade envelope!

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Something Crafty #6: Hand-Stamped Favor Bags

If you don’t have an endless wedding budget (and most brides don’t), chances are that your favors are going to be simple, and the packages in which they come are going to be even simpler. But, hey, sometimes simple is better. Leonardo da Vinci, Lao Tzu, and Henry David Thoreau all thought so. The most well-liked favors often have two things in common: 1) they’re homey, and 2) they’re edible. Popular choices for pretty packaging of goodies (for instance, coffee beans or homemade confections) include stamped muslin bags, which have the kind of rustically charming look that’s overtaken the wedding world, and stamped glassine bags, which have an old-timey-candy-shop feel. Etsy is awash with them, but why not add a level of personalization by making your own? Here’s the ever-fabulous Polly to show you how. Instead of black ink, as is typically used, she opted for jewel-toned colors, and we are digging the results.

A good set of alphabet stamps is a great investment for any wedding crafter; prices range from $1 (pro tip: I seem to always find them in the dollar bins at Michael’s) to around $30, and there are tons of fonts and styles to choose from. As far as regular stamps go, it’s wild out there! Gone are the days of grannny-style duckies with bows; today’s stamps are actually . . . cool! There’s a stamp for every occasion, from mustaches to matryoshkas to the chic gems I used here. You’re bound to find at least a few that will match your theme (there are a lot of stamps out there) or just add a little flair. This tutorial shows you how to quickly transform some plain old muslin bags into totally personalized gifts!


Supplies needed:

1. Muslin bags (you can find these in bulk on Etsy)

2. Stamp pads

3. Small pieces of cardboard or heavy paper

4. Practice paper

5. Alphabet stamps

6. Accent stamps

Step 1: With your practice sheet of paper, play around with the stamps! It takes a bit of practice to figure out things like placement and pressure, and this is a good place to make some mistakes. It’s also a good time to test your colors; you’ll want to be sure the shade of the stamp pad is true before you stamp the bags. Experiment with varying levels of pressure and amounts of ink for different results; lots of ink and a hard press will cause the stamp’s edges to show for a more rustic look.

Step 2: Place a small piece of cardboard or heavy paper inside your first muslin bag. This will keep the ink from seeping through to the other side.

Step 3: Start stamping! When you’re done, let dry for about 30 minutes and then flip to stamp the other side if you want.

Step 4: Fill with goodies! These would also work well for a shower or rehearsal dinner!

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Something Crafty #5: Needle-Felted Garland

We’re delighted to share the homespun goodness that Polly’s wonderfully crafty brain came up with this week. On a one-to-ten scale of adorableness, this needle-felted garland is a solid eleven. And even though we’re a solid negative eleven on a one-to-ten scale of craftiness, we’re still seriously tempted to give this a shot. Here’s Polly to show you how it’s done!

Wool imparts a homey feeling to everything it touches. If you want your wedding to have a little added warmth, needle-felted accessories are a simple way to accomplish this goal! You don’t have to know how to knit or crochet to work with wool; wool roving is like a pre-yarn. It’s just a big ball of wooly fluff! It’s also inexpensive and easy to work with once you get the hang of it. Felting needles are a little scary at first (they’re sharp!), but I’ve witnessed so many people get hooked on felting because it’s incredibly versatile; you can make some really nice gifts and accessories with this skill. In the wedding realm alone, there are endless possibilities: needle-felted flowers, ring pillows/bowls, place card holders, boutonnieres, and, in the how-to below, fun garlands in your wedding colors! 

Supplies needed:

1. Wool roving in colors of your choice

2. Felting needles (Clover brand is my favorite.)

3. Felting mat (You can also use a chunk of foam.)

4. Standard needle

5. Thread

6. Optional: wool felt 

Step 1: Pull about three inches worth of wool roving from the larger tuft. This should be enough to make a 1″ ball. Roll the fluffy roving in your hand to make an approximate round shape. This is the beginning of your ball.  

Step 2: Place the ball you’ve created on top of the felting mat and start poking it with the felting needle. That’s right, poking! Needle felting works because the needles are barbed; the wool catches on the barbs, which tangle it up, creating structure (kinda like back-combing your own hair). As you continue poking evenly around the ball, you’ll notice it getting smaller and harder. This is good! 

Step 3: Roll the ball around in your hand a few times to reinforce the shape. Keep poking until you have a perfectly round little ball. 

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have as many balls as you need. (Optional: Cut a strip of wool felt into flag shapes and, using the felting needle, add shapes or initials.) Then thread your regular needle with a length of coordinating thread and begin to string the balls onto it. Evenly place them along the thread, and voila! You have a lovely, funky garland to hang anywhere. I love these as cake toppers, but they also look great across doorways, chair backs, and anywhere that needs a little cozy color!

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Something Crafty #3: Washi Tape Place Settings

Originating in Japan, washi tape is the craft world’s new darling, and it’s got plenty of things going for it: prettiness, inexpensiveness, versatility, and ease of use. Made from natural fibers—typically the bark of native Japanese plants, such as the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, and the mulberry tree—washi tape is surprisingly strong and comes in an endless variety of patterns and colors. Here’s Polly, our resident crafty girl, to show you how you can prettify your place settings with this modern material!

Washi tape is the hottest new thing in craft supplies since . . . sequins! Seriously, it’s that good. It’s a light, tearable tape that comes in every color and more delightful patterns than you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for polka dots, stripes, or gingham checks, you’ll find a washi tape to match your wedding needs. But what do you do with it? Washi tape is so versatile, it’s almost overwhelming. It’s tape! You stick it on stuff. However, many brides are using it to jazz up their wedding dishes, which is a fab, inexpensive way to give each place setting that extra dash of style. Here’s how to use washi tape for your event. 

Supplies needed:

1. Washi tape in colors/patterns of your choice (Japan’s MT brand is the original, but you can find others at Michaels, Target, etc.)

2. Scissors

3. Plain dishes (I used white plates from Ikea.) 

4. Hole punch (optional)

Step 1: Make sure your plates are clean and dry. Think about shapes you might want to use; simple stripes in your colors are an easy option, but you can do anything! With a few snips of the scissors, washi tape lends itself quite nicely to geometric shapes, arrows, checkerboards, and banners. You can also use a hole punch to make a series of dots or bubbles. 

Step 2: Once you’ve played with the tape a bit, you can start sticking. Washi tape is just strong enough to stick, but it’s also easily peelable if you make a mistake. Each roll includes a lot of tape, so there’s no need to be stingy. Stick the tape to the plate and press down to even out any air bubbles that might occur. If you’re feeling wild, you can even try enhancing your silverware!

Step 3: Enjoy your meal! After the party’s over, the washi tape should peel right off of any surface, so you can send the dishes back with the caterer or reuse them for another occasion. 

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