Sometimes you want to bookmark multiple pages. One solution is stick-on page tabs, but that is another thing to carry around when you are reading. Having several bookmarks on one ring is a good solution. I used a keychain ring so it would show more predominantly in the picture, but for a thinner book a small ring would be a better choice.

The instructions for making the duct tape bookmarks can be found in this post.

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A Good Refreshing Drink

With warmer weather thoughts start turning to cold drinks. Sparkling water is a nice refreshing healthy drink. This being said it does not have much taste. This is unlikely to be an issue if you drink lots of soda or fruit juice, but if you drink mostly water and sparkling water you may start wanting a way to flavor it that does not eliminate the health benefits.

Start with a glass of sparkling water and add:

Fruit and Vegetable ideas

• 1-2 slices of cucumber
  
• 1 small slice of lemon or a squirt of lemon juice
• 1 small slice of orange
• a few raspberries
• a few strawberry slices

Lemon or orange and cucumber make a nice combination.

Tea

I previously posted a recipe for Sparkling Tea.

Fruit Juice

Add a small amount of apple, pineapple, grape, or other clear juice to your sparkling water. This will increase the sugar and calories unlike the other options, but unless you use a ton it will still be low calorie and low sugar.

Herbs

Add mint for an extra refreshing drink.

Notes and Linked at

It should go without saying that if you are allergic or react to any of the suggestions do not add them to your sparkling water. The strawberry and orange photo uses material from Photo Vaco.

I needed another craft box for some of the ‘parts’ for my projects. So I decided to repurpose a box. The duct tape also makes it sturdier and adds some water-resistance.

Materials Needed

• A box
• Duct Tape (I used Duck Brand tape)
• Washi Tape (I used an Up & Up brand “Printed Paper” tape)
• Scissors to cut the Duct Tape

Directions

I used a box with a white, purple, and black design. Thus, I chose a purple theme for the tape so that if any of the box shows through it could work with the design.

This box took 3 strips of duct tape. Each strip wrapped around the box once. If your box is a bit ‘shiny’ the duct tape can be lifted and fixed if it does not initially go down smooth and straight.

With a solid color of duct tape I might stop and call it done or add a creative design. However, the design on the duct tape makes the seams very visible. So, I used a solid purple washi tape and wrapped it over the seams.

The top can be wrapped in either duct tape or washi tape. I chose duct tape because it is stronger and because it is easier to replace duct tape around here than washi tape.

Cost

Many crafters will already have everything they need. Duck brand duct tape with patterns tends to be about $6. The washi tape is four rolls for $4. This is one of those projects where DIY washi tape should work just as well as the real washi tape.

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Materials

• Clear tape. Mildly sticky tape works the best so you can easily peel the tape from the paper.
• Paper which has been printed with the text or pattern you want to transfer to the tape. The more recently you printed the page the more likely that the text (or pattern) will transfer cleanly onto your tape.
• Heavy paper, cardboard, or other material you want the “printed” tape on.

Directions

• Print or find a recent printout with the text (or shape or pattern or…) you want to use.
• Cut the tape so that it is the length of the text you want to be copied onto your tape.
• Press the tape to the paper and rub the tape with your fingers.
• After you have finished rubbing it carefully remove the tape from paper.
• Stick the tape on whatever you want to stick it on.

The example below shows the differences in how crisp and strong the text is depending on the date when the page was printed. The “smudges” above the red line are tape pieces that used papers that were printed prior to 2011. As you can see not much of the ink transferred to the tape.

Example Using a Pattern

Notes and Linked at

Please note that while this method can produce tape that looks like washi tape it will not have all the properties of washi tape. The adhesive qualities in particular will not be like genuine washi tape.

Water-resistant Bookmarks

If you are someone like me who loves to read chances are you have probably put your bookmark down on a wet spot. These are kitchen, bathroom, and rainy day friendly bookmarks that not only look good, but can easily be dried off if you lay your bookmark in the place where someone had just put their soaking wet umbrella.

Materials Needed:

• Thick paper that is the same width or slightly thinner than the width of the duct or shipping tape.
• Interesting Shipping Tape or Duct Tape (I used 3M Scotch Shipping Packaging Tape with a red Cheveron pattern and Duck brand Duct Tape)
• Scissors
• (Optional) buttons, etc if you want to add additional decorating

Directions

Cut your paper to be the height you want your bookmark. Make the width the same or slightly less than the width of your tape. Since the paper will be completely covered by duct or shipping tape this is a good time to use up scraps of paper you do not like as much.

Lay tape down along the edge of your paper. Go slowly to try to avoid wrinkles and make sure that it stays straight. Cut the tape at the bottom of the paper.

Turn it over and apply tape to the other side. Lay down another layer of tape slowly. Then cut the tape.

If your paper is extending beyond the tape trim it.

Use punches, fancy scissors, etc to continue decorating your bookmark.

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Several things I commonly use it for are:

• Cleaning counters
• Cleaning the refrigerator and/or freezer
  
• Adding to the rinse of a laundry load to make towels softer
• Cleaning a shower head (Put some vinegar in plastic bag, put the bag over the shower head, and secure the bag with a rubber band. Leave it on for several hours or overnight)
• Cleaning floors
• Getting rid of stinky odors by simply leaving an uncovered dish of vinegar out
• Getting rid of ants
• Using in the dishwasher to get rid of the cloudiness on the glasses
• Clean the shower and shower mat to get rid of the soap scum
• Disinfect a thermometer

Need more things you can clean with vinegar?

• Vinegar Tips

Linked at and Image Credit

The stock photo used is from RGB Stock.

One of the challenges of washi tape is that it often is not called washi tape. Variations include “printed tape”, “paper tape”, or “decorative tape”.

Target and Target.com

Target has Up & Up brand “Printed paper tape”. Unfortunately, not all Target stores have all color options and Target.com does not appear to have the tape. My local Target also had Smash brand tape including a nice one with white on black dots.

Michael’s and Michaels.com

At least some Michael’s stores have Recollections Crafting Tape. Michaels.com has Smash brand paper tape.

Amazon.com

Amazon’s stock varies depending on what sellers have in stock. Names vary, but “washi tape”, “paper tape”, and “printed tape” will all give you results. Some tape is listed as eligible for free shipping and some is not.

Barnes & Noble and Bn.com

Bn.com has 7 Gypsies brand paper tape ($7.95) and “Decorative Paper Tape” (price $15.95), and Martha Stewart brand paper tape ($4.99 for four rolls). The marketplace does not have free shipping.

Joann’s Fabric & Craft Stores and Joann.com

Joann.com has Gypsies paper tape and Martha Stewart paper tape. My local one does not appear to have any washi tape equivalent and none of the sales people I talked to are familiar with paper tape, printed tape, etc.

Sears.com

Sears.com has Martha Stewart Brand tape (marketplace)

CuteTape.com

I have not personally used Cute Tape, but I have seen positive reviews elsewhere and looking over their site they appear to have a large collection of designs. Shipping costs look reasonable.

Find It on Etsy

Etsy is a great place to check for washi tape. One of the Etsy stores I have heard most recommended is Pretty Tape.

Making Your Own

A number of people have come up with DIY washi tape suggestions. DIY washi tape has the advantage of being cheaper and allowing for more variety, but most adhensive substitutes do not have the same qualities as washi tape.

Links to DIY Washi Tape

• DIY Washi Tape (Nifty Thrify)
• Handmade Custom Paper Tape (Just Something I Made)
• 19 Washi Tape Craft Ideas (Tipjunkie)
• How to make Your Own Washi Tape (Glue and Glitter)
• Craft DIY Printed Paper Tape (Aesthetic Nest)

Notes and Linked at

The tape pictured above is from Target.

Materials

• Stick on magnetic backs (see note)
• silver and gold glitter
• Mod Podge Gloss
• brush for the Mod Podge
• Shiny wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or any paper that will add some extra sparkle
• (Optional) tissue or something to catch the excess glitter

Directions

• Cut out the wrapping paper so that it is the size of your magnet back.
• Peel the backing off the magnetic back and stick the wrapping paper on.
• Brush some Mod Podge onto the wrapping paper. Sprinkle on the glitter. Shake it to spread the glitter around the magnet.
• Wait for it to dry. Add another layer of Mod Podge to help seal the glitter. Allow it to fully dry before putting it up.

Notes and Linked at

I used one inch magnet squares that were already cut. For more customization options use magnetic tape and make it the exact size you want. Also, neither the Mod Podge or the glitter should turn the brush blue if you use silver and gold. I did not end up taking the final picture until I had used the brush to paint something blue.

I like carbonated drinks. Sodas often taste good, but the regular ones are not very healthy with a bunch of chemicals and sugar and the diet ones may lack the sugar, but are also chemical filled. I drink seltzer, but after a while I want something with taste.

One cheap, easy, and healthy solution I have found is sparkling tea.

Ingredients

• 10-12 oz Seltzer
• One bag of tea (or equivalent of loose leaf)
• 1/4 a cup of water

Directions

Heat a small amount of water for the tea. After the water has been heated add the tea bag and let it steep for longer than usual. You want the tea to be more concentrated that you would usually drink it. After the tea has steeped long enough take out the tea bag and pour in the seltzer.

I have found this recipe works best with stronger tasting teas, spicy teas, and fruit teas. Normally I would use a standard mug, but I wanted clear glass to more clearly show the small amount of tea being steeped. Portions can be adjusted depending on the tea and your tastes.

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Keep your carbonated drinks fizzy

I found these at the supermarket and decided to give it a try. I prefer to buy larger bottles of seltzer and other carbonated drinks because of the price, but they tend to go flat quickly. I have noticed a definite improvement in how long the carbonation lasts. The cost is about $5.

Simple take off the cap that came with the soda, screw in the fizz keeping cap, and pump until you start encountering resistance.

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