I don’t know where I first read about Washi Paper Tape, but after seeing all the adorable patterns, vivid colors, and cheery polka dots, I knew one thing…

Washi Tape would never work with my style of paper crafting. Let’s face it, if it’s paper and it’s not distressed, ripped, and faded, I probably didn’t make it.

Still the vast array of options in something as convenient as sticky tape is a crafty siren song.

After staring longingly at all the Washi Tape on CuteTape.com, I finally had an idea: convert a plain wooden occasional table into a game table.

Here’s the table in question:

Since Washi Paper Tape is semi-transparent, my first step was to cover the dark dark table with pages from an old law book that I picked up at a thrift store for about $1.00.

This was a step that sounded like a good idea at the time. More on that later.

As you can see, I penciled in a checkerboard on the top. And then I went to work with the Washi Tape (followed by a couple of coats of a satin acrylic finish).

What did I learn in this process? Never ever use a decoupage style “undercoat” with Washi Tape. While not glaringly obvious in the pictures, every overlap, bump, and wrinkle is definitely noticeable through the tape.

I would have been much better off to have gone with a simple painted undercoat.

Also, if you’re doing a big project, measure carefully and order accordingly. Originally, I had planned to have a patterned design on the bottom shelf, but my Does-Not-Plan-Ahead self ran out of tape and the bottom shelf ended up with a coat of black paint.

Another tip: keep your craft blade sharp — I went through four or five X-Acto blades during this project. The minute the blade gets the slightest bit dull, any “free hand” cuts aren’t as straight as with a sharp blade.