Sweet Halloween Tags

Remember not too long ago, I shared a simple tutorial on stained tags.

You can find it here.

You can do the same thing to create colored tags  by just substituting RIT Dye for the coffee and cinnamon.

An even simpler way to dye small batches of things, is to mix your dye and water in a large Ziploc bag.

Just add you tags/lace, fabric and paper right to the dye in the bag.

Squish it around a bit.

You may want to leave it in the zipped up bag to intensify the color.

Then remove the tags and let them dry like before.

I dyed some tags orange for fall.

I ran them through the Sizzix Big Shot with some embossing folders.

Then I went crazy giving them a sweet Halloween makeover.

You can see the workbench was covered with goodies...buttons, rossettes, stickers, dyed cheesecloth, lace, paper bits, vintage haloween images and halloween stickers...

I usually start by sewing paper scraps or images to the tags first.

I added some lace sewn to some as well.

Then I start gluing goodies to get the look I want...

A lot of the images are printed on muslin from the Graphics Fairy.

These will be perfect tied to pumpkins.

I just love tags...

Not sure why...

I just always have.

Maybe because they are more usable than a card.

I love a homemade card, but a tag I keep out long after I 
got it/made it....

I stamped some spider webs on vellum as well...

And punched out some spiders from black card stock.

I always think of a tag as a mini canvas for artwork.

Hope you feel inspired to try it out as well...

Thanks for stopping by....

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.