Quick Primitive Hang Tags

 

 

Sometimes you just need a quick little tag and if your a primitive kind of gal like me then these are super quick and very easy to make.

You will need some blank hang tags, string, permanent ink pad, stamps, gloves, spray bottle, and a dye mixture.

 

 

Lay out your tags on a surface you don't mind getting stained.  An old table cloth will do or a piece of fabric you don't mind getting stained.

 

You can mix together a strong mixture of coffee or tea add in some vanilla, cinnamon or whatever.

 

My mixture is walnut crystals, vanilla, and cinnamon.  I've had it mixed up for a long time and it still smells good.

Just start spraying as heavy as you like.

 



It is pretty splotchy but that is okay.

 

Flip them over  and you will repeat again on the other side.

 

I sprayed my ball of twine.  It doesn't soak all the way through but I get enough to do what tags I'm working on and it dries fairly quickly.

 

Here is one of the tags close up.  Wear those gloves you don't want your hands looking blotchy!

 

Crinkle up a few tags and try that for a slightly different look.

 

They flatten right out.  No need for an oven but if your in a hurry just place your tags on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Heat the oven to 200 degrees and bake for just a couple of minutes...don't leave unattended! 

 

Grab some of your stamps and ink pad once your tags are dry.

Stamp, stamp, stamp...add some of the string and there you go....super quick and easy!

 

Until We Meet Again....Ginger

Dyeing for a Change

 

A few weeks ago Pati and I made up a pictorial penny rug.  I drew out some very simple objects and cut them out of wool.  I had a few pieces of old flower sacks and we each took one along with our wool pieces.  I made a table mat out of mine and added a little tag saying Our Homestead 1862.

 

Well it was just too bright of a white for me so what else to do but grab the Rit Tan Dye!  I quickly grabbed a few more things to distress and went to work.

 

I filled a roasting pan I use for dyeing only with water and heated it until it was nice and warm.  You don't want it boiling.  I added about 1/2 bottle of rit tan dye (it's all that I had, more about that later)  to the pan along with about 1/4 cup of vinegar to set the color. 

 

 

Next I placed in more pieces and punched them down with a wooden spoon that I only use for dyeing.  I did not stir my pieces I wanted a mottled effect.

 

 

 

 

 

Once I felt like they had soaked in enough dye I removed them and rinsed until the water ran clear.

 

 

 

A sunny day with a good Oklahoma breeze will have them dry in no time!

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile back to the dye bath. Out of rit dye and ready to do a few more pieces  you just make do with a cup of coffee.  Just brew up a good stout cup and pour it right in the dye bath.

 

 

Wait a little bit and let it all soak in and rinse really well then  off to the clothesline to dry.

 

 

Here is what all went in the dye pan.  An oxford punch pumpkin, an old dresser scarf, white tights, and fabric.

 

 

 

 

Now the "Old Homestead" looks much better with a background that doesn't stand out.

 

 

Give Rit Tan dye a try if you are dyeing for a change on some of your projects!  I'll have Pati post a picture of her pictorial penny rug it turned out wonderful.

 

Until we meet again.....Ginger