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Upcycled Washi Tape Gift Box with a Smile for Let’s Play

Upcycling a pasta box with washi tapes to make a fun gift box!

For this week’s Let’s Play video, I’m letting myself be inspired by the everyday things around me like an empty pasta box.  The shape of it, with that smiling window, made me smile every time I saw it.

Instead of tossing this box out, I covered it with washi tape to make a very silly gift box! I randomly grabbed a variety of washi tapes from my collection.  I used 10 or so but could you use 1? Yes!  Could you use 2 or 3? Yes!

It is play after all. There is no wrong way to cover an empty box that was destined for the trash with tape which means any way is the right way!

Watch Upcycling trash into a gift box with washi tape on YouTube

What is Let’s Play?  It’s all about rediscovering the ability to play. Each month I share a specific strategy that helped me recapture the freedom and fun of play.   This month’s theme is being inspired by the everyday.   You can see more of the Let’s Play series here.

Giveaway! Leave a comment telling me what everyday things inspire you to get entered in the $50 Dick Blick gift certificate giveaway (more details below).   I’d love to see what you’re creating- share it with us all in our Facebook community!

Upcycling a pasta box with washi tapes to make a fun gift box!

If it had a mouth, it certainly needed eyes!  In the video, you’ll see where I didn’t get the eyes to my liking the first time.  No big deal, just cut another set since this was not actual cosmetic surgery.

Upcycling a pasta box with washi tapes to make a fun gift box!

It was just too silly not to have a tongue sticking out.  I just had to do it!  Ended up being a bit long for a tongue but it’s not like this was an anatomically correctly face anyway.

Upcycling a pasta box with washi tapes to make a fun gift box!

Not surprisingly, I was impatient and didn’t want to wait for paint to dry so I had to be extra careful when painting the naked underside of the tongue with Dylusions paint.

Upcycling a pasta box with washi tapes to make a fun gift box!

This was very practical play for me today.  I made a gift box that I needed.  I used washi tapes instead of hoarding them which felt great.  But most of all, I got to make that giant tongue!

This month's Let's Play theme is all about being inspired by the everyday

Want to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.

Sharing your play:   I, and a whole bunch of others, would love to see what you’re creating!  We’re sharing it in the Facebook group called A Colorful Place to Play. Why Facebook?  I’ve listened to your feedback about how and where you’d like to share your play instead of the link parties.

Monthly giveaways:  Leave comment on any (and all for more chances) of the weekly Let’s Play blog posts to be entered and one winner each month will be chosen by random.org.  Want more chances to win a $50 gift certificate to DickBlick.com?  Pin any of the images from the page or share about it on Facebook- then come back and leave a comment telling me what you did and you can have more chances to win! Giveaway closes the Sunday, July 31st at 11 pm EST and the winner will announced on the blog the following Monday.

Congrats to Margaret Price, last month’s winner!

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Leave a Comment

  • Pat Kinon July 11, 2016, 9:26 pm

    So enjoyed your happy box video! As always your videos are fun !

  • Laura Landau July 11, 2016, 10:19 pm

    That’s so fun. And such a brilliant idea too. Makes me wish I ate more pasta so I had the box to play with.

  • Becky Smith July 12, 2016, 7:44 am

    Fun idea – I love to find ways to reuse things. I am most inspired by everyday vintage objects. Love the colors, shapes, and history behind them.

  • Jodi July 12, 2016, 11:36 am

    I used the bag from oranges yesterday to create texture for my gelli prints. (Just signed up for your gelli plate workshop btw and can’t wait!!)

  • Corrine July 12, 2016, 3:13 pm

    Too fantastic. What a gift box. xox

  • Jean Marmo July 12, 2016, 3:35 pm

    This is just so super cute and creative!!!

  • Elizabeth Kaplan July 12, 2016, 8:45 pm

    I save so many empty boxes, I feel like I could have a cardboard museum! Thanks for the inspiration. ?

  • Kristiina July 13, 2016, 1:54 am

    Haha, I can relate to hoarding tapes and not using them… Lovely box 🙂

  • Glenda Lovchik July 13, 2016, 11:31 am

    That put a smile on my face! Had to run to the pantry to see if I had that box. Not quite, mine has an oval, but will use it for the mouth anyway. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

  • Stacy Caddy July 13, 2016, 12:08 pm

    This turned out so cute! Loved watching the video you always make me laugh.

  • Janis in ID July 13, 2016, 4:19 pm

    Love your goofy gift-bag. That hole in the label was perfect for the mouth!!! lol… That tongue just makes me giggle.
    I get inspired by all sorts of everyday things. Lately I have been saving my leftover inky paper towels and baby wipes for future projects….altered jars, etc. I love the randomness of the splotches and blotches.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

  • Lynne July 13, 2016, 4:58 pm

    cool fun idea Carolyn

  • Janis in ID July 13, 2016, 6:29 pm

    Pinned here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476114991839111398/
    So cute!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

  • Angie A. July 15, 2016, 3:48 pm

    This is such a smart, fun, and cute way to reuse cardboard pasta boxes. Thank you for sharing this great idea. Looking at nature inspires me to craft and create art. I like the simplistic yet beautiful feeling nature gives.

  • Angie A. July 15, 2016, 3:53 pm

    I pinned one of your color lifting cards that said hello. It was so cute! ? I really love your crafts

  • Andie A July 15, 2016, 4:01 pm

    Love your washi tapes!? I will never look at a rotini pasta box the same way again without imagining a smiley face! People like you inspire me to craft.

  • Annie July 22, 2016, 10:31 am

    Thanks for this idea! I’m going to do this on school with the children in my class

  • Sharon Field July 24, 2016, 11:33 pm

    2 words………….TOO CUTE!!

  • D.Ann C July 26, 2016, 1:04 pm

    Oh, how cute and fun!!!

  • Sumrina July 6, 2020, 8:02 am

    Thank you for such a great article. Keep it up.