Trendy Tuesday – Paper Straws

 Trendy Tuesday – Paper Straws

by Katherine Elliot

So I was walking through the grocery store with my husband the other week and he noticed some fun, red and white striped paper straws in the soda aisle.  Guess what was the first thing that came to my mind when he pointed them out?  “Hey!  I’ve seen those on cards!”  Dimensional embellishments are fun to play with and paper straws are among some of the most multifunctional embellishments available to crafters.  Grab a drink and check out some examples of trendy paper straws used in creative ways.  I spy lots of cool trends in Pam Maas’ project featured first!Card by Pam Maas, image source Mackenzie May Designs 

Card by Susan Weinroth, featuring Queen and Co Stylish Stix, image source Queen & Co

Colorful, decorative straws can add some whimsy to any project.  Queen & Company, Websters Pages and Kikkerland are some of the most popular brands that offer several styles and patterns of paper straws to choose from.

Alison Kreft Designs Paper Straws for Websters Pages, image source Two Peas in a Bucket

Card by Daniela Dobson, image source Daniela Dobson blog

Daniela Dobson’s cards show off cute polka dotted straws used to anchor trendy banners.  Other trendy elements, like twine, buttons and sequins, make her cards a trendy feast for the eyes!

Card by Daniela Dobson, image source Impression Obsession

Looking for something simple?  A single straw banner used on a clean and simple design adds dimension that will certainly get noticed.  Julia Aston’s creation shows an easy way to keep the card and sentiment simple and fresh using a bright, candy striped paper straw as a banner pole.

Card by Julia Aston, image source Create with Me

One of my favorite ways to use paper straws on projects is creating faux birthday candles.  A bit of string or cord adds a little wick to these pretty paper candles. But please be sure to tell your recipient not to light these candles or their card will go up in smoke!

Card by Michelle Bala, image soruce My Passion for Crafting

Card by Stasia Stoma, image source Stampin’ & Scrappin’ with Stasia

Planning a party?  Look for paper straws at party supply stores if you are unable to find them at your favorite craft retailer.

Party supply store striped paper straws, image source Via Blossom

Paper straws with colors to match your party’s decorating palette make easy accents for party favors and decorations.  Check out these fun paper straw birthday candles added to some yummy cupcakes.  Hey, and the tissue paper flames are safe and smoke free!

Paper straw cupcake decorations from Icing Designs, tutorial and image source at Icing Designs

Colorful straws can embellish many different table decorations, party favors or little surprise gifts to celebrate any occasion.

Paper straw jar decoration by Jocelyn Olson, image source Red Balloon Cards

  Some of your favorite craft brands have unique straws to coordinate with their other products.  Emma Trout’s fun tassels and party straws were decorated lavishly for her festive project.  Emma shared some terrific ideas on the Webster Pages blog featuring their Paper Party Straws and coordinating products.  Click on the image for the tassel tutorial to see the original blog post for this scrapbook project.

Straw tassels and party straws on a scrapbook layout by Emma Trout, image source Webster’s Pages blog

Kikkerland has some unique, nature inspired straws.  Lydia’s card featured next shows off one of the Birch Tree straws from the Kikkerland company.  The natural, modern appeal of her project looks very chic with this trendy, paper straw addition.

Card by Lydia, image source Understand Blue

                                                                                                                                    

Kikkerland Birch Tree and Bamboo straws, image source Amazon.com   

Straws are often sold in large quantities, so you may find them just as useful in your bar or pantry as well as on our paper craft projects.

Bamboo paper straw with a cocktail, image source Kikklerland.com

Remember, I told you paper straws are multifunctional!  Whether you are in a creative mood making cards or scrapbook layouts, ready to add something new on your next party decorations, or just want a new way to enjoy a chic cocktail, break out a fun paper straw and let the party begin.  Happy crafting everyone.