Coffee Stained Tags...A DIY Tutorial

Today I wanted to share an easy way to make distressed tags.

You can buy your tags or make them.

I keep a big box from Staples on hand.

You will need:

coffee (either brewed or instant granules)

a container big enough to submerge tags (I use an empty ice cream bucket)

ground cinnamon (optional)

water

something to stir them with

screen or tray to lay them out to dry

Let's get started....

Add water to bucket.  

Pour in coffee granules (I used about 1/2 cup for about 6 cups of water).

If you want, sprinkle in some cinnamon.

Mix together.

Submerge tags in the mixture.

Be sure they are completely submerged.

If you want them evenly stained, be sure to separate each tag. 

You can let them soak as long as you want.

I recommend at least 30 minutes-hour.

I soak mine 3-9 hours.

I like them really grubby.

Next I spread them out on a tray in the sun.

If you have an old screen, that would work great too.

Now they are ready to go.

Paint a word on them.

Add embellishments.

I love to run them through my Sizzix Big Shot in embossing folders.

I have made business cards with these as the base.

My newest cards have each shop or blog on a separate tab.

I love these...

I love to add embellishments for holiday tags....

Tie them on a basket, doorknob, suitcase handle, or gift.

Sometimes simple is best...

chalkboard paint and a simple stamp...

And sometimes fussiness is fun...

What will you do with yours?

Thanks for stopping by...


Linking up with these great blogs.