Valentine Coffee Filter Tree

You know I love coffee filters.

They are cheap and versatile.

I made this fun pink grungy tree for Valentine's day.

 For complete instructions to make your own, look here....

This time I used Fuchsia Dye and instant coffee crystals mixed together.

It creates a look I love.

A dusty color with touches of sepia.

It is pink without being too sweet...

I hope you like it as much as I do. 

Thanks for stopping by...

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Primitive Baby Sock Ornament

Hello!

It is time for another ornament.

This one starts with a baby sock.

You may have some at your house or you can go out and pick up a pack.

First you want to stain it.

I have a tutorial here for staining tags but the principal is the same.

Once they have been stained and are dry, add a few simple embellishments.

I am very fond of stained cheesecloth.

It has a raggy appearance that is both primitive and delicate.

 That is all I did here plus one little rosehip.

A little wire hanger made from heavy steel wire finishes it off.

 The nice thing about these is that you can make a whole mini army of these in just a few hours.

You will actually spend more time waiting for them to dry than you will putting them together.

If you make some this month, they would be sweet for Valentine's day next month or you can save them for Christmas and be ahead of the game.

Thanks for stopping by....

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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.