Category Archives: Distress Ink

Distress Ink Autumn Themed Mop Up Tags

Distress Inks Autumn Themed Mop Up Tags: Use Your Scraps Series

Hello, Friends! Today I have another idea for putting scraps to good use. This time, I’m talking about using scrap “ink”. Let me explain. These pretty little Distress Ink autumn themed mop up tags started when I used plain manila tags to clean up puddles of leftover ink from other projects.

I hate to waste good materials. Even leftover ink on your craft mat can be put to good use. When I have leftover ink on my craft mat, I just grab a standard sized manila tag and sop it up. I always have several of these mop up tags in different hues stored in a bin kept close to my work surface. Instead of wiping my leftover ink up with a paper towel, I grab a tag that will work with whatever colors are on the mat and add another layer of ink. When I like the way the tag looks, I just add some stamping or ephemera to finish it off into a little art tag. Waste not, want not, right?

Ranger makes a great manila tag that holds up well to mixed media applications. They are a staple in my studio. Of course, you can cut tags from scrap paper yourself, but depending on the structure of the paper, the tag may or may not hold up well.

Everyday Distress Ink Autumn Themed Mop Up Tags

This tag came together in minutes because the base tag was nearly finished, thanks to all the mopped up ink. I simply added some quick stamping and stenciling. Keep an organized ephemera file in your studio, so that when you need a little image for a tag, you can find it quickly. I use a plastic bin with labeled divider tabs for this purpose.

This nostalgic image is one that I printed out from a Gecko Galz collage sheet called Be Thankful for Fall. The autumn leaves came to me in a little thank you packet in my Funkie Junkie Boutique order. Linda, the shop owner, always tucks in a sweet little envelope with paper pretties as a thank you gift. The ribbon is Moss Green Shimmer Satin from RRR.

Hello, Beautiful Distress Ink Autumn Themed Mop Up Tags

Here’s another example of a mop up tag. This image, the die cut leaves and maple leaf charm also came in a little goodie bag from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. I added stamped images and stencils to finish the tag off.

The die cut leaves come as plain white cardstock. To dress them up, I added some ink, also mopped up from my craft sheet. To add texture, run the damp leaf through an embossing folder. Then stamp randomly over the top. I finished this tag with a vintage button, twine, mustard seeds and ribbon.

These tags will be tucked into orders from my Etsy shop as thank you gifts from me. It’s a fun way to pay it forward.

I’m thinking about periodically sharing a post about fun ways to use scraps. Is this something you all would be interested in? If so, please let me know in the comment section below, and I’ll start planning more of these posts into my blog calendar.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag

Frilly and Funkie Show Us Your Stamps Challenge: Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag

Hello, Friends! It’s time for another fun challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog. This go round, the lovely and talented Autumn is our hostess and the theme is “Show Us Your Stamps.” I broke out some of my favorite Tammy Tutterow stamps to create this Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag, but before I share it with you, let’s see what Autumn has to say about the challenge guidelines.

Challenge Theme: Show Us Your Stamps

Our challenge this round can be summed up with one word – STAMPS! We want to see you break out those stamps and get inky. There are so many ways to use stamps, and you probably have a few you have never even used – so come play along! We cannot wait to see your stamped vintage or shabby chic creations.

Fall in Love Reversible Tag with Prima Amber Moon and Distress Inks

It was pure inky good fun to work up this jumbo manila tag with Prima’s Amber Moon Paper Collection, Tammy Tutterow’s Stamps and Tim Holtz Distress Inks. I did not take step x step photos for this project, but I will share tips and tricks that I used along the way. Anyway, this is the front side of the tag….

….And this is the reverse side with the pocket. Now, let’s get down to the details.

Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag: Creating the Background

Begin by “smooshing” fall colored Distress Oxide Inks onto a non-stick craft sheet. The colors should be close together, but should not overlap.
Next, use a Distress Sprayer (or mister bottle) to add water to the inks until the inks begin to bead up.
Now, take the jumbo manila tag and lay it face down into the puddle of ink. I did not swipe the tag at this point. Instead, I just gently smoothed the back side.
Next, lift the tag from the inky puddle and heat until it is mostly dry.
Repeat this process until you are happy with the background ink. The important thing to remember is to dry between layers.
Look for little beads of ink and pick them up to add interesting layers to the tag.
I did swipe the tag through the ink toward the end, and it left lovely streaks.
Finally, spray Antique Brass Mica Spray onto the craft sheet and tap the tag into it. This will create lovely little sparkly flecks on the tag.

Let’s Stamp!

When it came to stamping the background, I did not use an acrylic block or stamp press, I just rolled a random area of the Big Cheesecloth Background Stamp over my Frayed Burlap Distress Ink pad. Then I randomly rolled it over the inky background. This added the lovely little dots of color and texture that you can see in this photo.

Next, i stamped Tammy’s “Make Today” sentiment with a Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I colored the open areas in with an alcohol ink marker.

I felt the sentiment needed a frame to anchor it to the tag. So I stamped Tammy’s Simple Line Border Stamp onto manila card. Next, I heat embossed it with super fine copper embossing powder. Then I colored it in with DOX inks and cut it out with my craft knife. Finally, the frame was backed with foam tabs to pop it up a bit.

This small rusted heart is stamped with Dear Ruby, then heat embossed with super fine copper embossing powder. I love the way this turned out!

Before you add the flowers and other embellishments, I recommend you complete the reverse side of the tag!

Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag: The Flip Side

To decorate the pocket on the back of the tag, I stamped and colored Tammy’s Sunflower Bunch . The little sentiment title is from Tammy’s Sentiments 2 Stamp and Die combo. Vintage buttons from my stash, a little burlap string bow and some fancy ric rac that my dear daughter in law gave me finished the job nicely.

So, What’s in the Pocket?

Just a Little Dose of Happy in the pocket, that’s all! I scored and folded a scrap of kraft cardstock to make this sweet little gift card/tea bag holder. The image is from the Amber Moon 3×4 Journal card stack. I just added Tammy’s sentiment to the center of the wreath and heat embossed with copper embossing powder.

A little teabag and a trio of small tags are inside.

I made these tiny tags by mopping up the ink left on my craft sheet. Then I added images from the Amber Moon 6×6 pad along with some ephemera stickers and snippets of fibers. I used Tim’s Tiny Attacher to hold the fibers in place.

Now It’s YOUR turn!

You are cordially invited to join the fun and play along in this Show Us Your Stamps Challenge. Simply create a vintage or shabby chic project following the challenge guidelines and link up at the Frilly and Funkie blog before midnight on Tuesday, October 10th.

The Frilly and Funkie team will choose our top four picks with the winner being invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie. The next three will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

I can’t wait to see what you make!

I hope I’ve inspired you to break out your stamps and play along. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Fall in Love Reversible Pocket Tag Product Links at The Funkie Junkie Boutique

I Could Fall for You Rustic Autumn Banner

Tammy Tutterow Designs Creative Team: Rustic Autumn Banner

Hello, Friends! Have you started decorating for fall yet? This rustic Autumn banner made with Tammy Tutterow stamps, stencils and dies just makes my heart happy. There’s something so cozy and nostalgic about autumn decor.

Rustic Autumn Banner: The Sentiment

Tammy’s Fall For You stamp was the inspiration for this rustic fall banner. Isn’t it just the cutest sentiment ever? It’s part of her new Happy Grams #4 release. (You can check out all the goodies HERE.)

Long story short, I did fall for this stamp in a big way, and ended up making it the focal for this rustic autumn banner.

Stamp the sentiment onto Authentique Bountiful Four paper using Coffee Archival Ink.
Sprinkle with WOW Superfine Copper Embossing Powder (or any superfine Copper EP)
Heat Emboss
Color in with the medium of your choice. I used colored pencils.
Stamp randomly with Big Cheesecloth Background Stamp.
Fill in the letters and the acorns with a light coating of Glossy Accents. This is not required, but I like the way it kind of makes the letters pop off the surface.
Distress and ink edges. Ink with DOX Walnut Stain.
Mat onto circular frame. This was created with a circle that I saved from a large chipboard clock design. First I sprayed it with Terra Cotta Walnut Stain, then stamped it with the Big Woodgrain Background Stamp. I followed this same procedure for the small chipboard circle that the acorns rest on. This was also salvaged from the clock chipboard.

I don’t know what it is about fall, but it seems to bring out my vintage, grungy crafting mojo. This rustic autumn banner is loaded with distressed edges, inking, stenciling, stamping, stitching, loose threads and all kinds of grungy goodness!

Rustic Autumn Banner: The Mixed Media Background

I could kick myself because I totally forgot to take photos while making the background. But here’s a little basic rundown of the steps I took.

First, cut an 8″ x 8″ square of Ranger Distress Mixed Media Heavystock. Usually, I don’t make much of a fuss over what kind of paper you should use, but in this case, I highly recommend using this specialty paper. This alterable heavy weight mixed media surface is designed to hold up under layers of product. It also works beautifully with Distress Oxide Inks.
Next, sponge the Mixed Media Heavy Stock with these Distress Oxide Inks:
Then, spritz the inked surface with water to blend the inks. Heat dry.
Now, use Walnut Stain DOX to add the twigs from Tammy’s Leafage Stencil.
Next, use Prima Copper Crackle Texture Paste to add the leaves on the left hand side. Set aside to dry completely
Then, stamp Dear Ruby in Coffee Archival Ink randomly on the surface.
Now, randomly stamp portions of Big Cheesecloth around here and there to add extra texture.
Finally, spritz lightly with Distress Antiqued Bronze Mica Spray.

To finish things off, I added a few torn strips of patterned paper, a burlap panel, then stitched the paper to a slightly larger piece of brown burlap. Then I spattered the whole thing with Terra Cotta Walnut Stain.

Rustic Fall Banner: The Handmade Felt Flowers

I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had making the posies for this banner. They are all cut from felt using the following dies:

Bitty Posies…the new kid on the block and too cute for words! Those are the itty bitty blooms with the brad centers. I especially love the greenery that comes with this die
Frayed Posies
Pom Pom Posies

These felt flowers are so quick and easy to make. Just die cut, and stitch the layers together with a vintage button center. I did use a stylus tool to shape the petals just a little bit. It was mostly an experiment, as I was not sure you could shape felt petals…but it turns out, you can!

Oh, these Bitty Posies…too too cute for words!

Finishing Touches

I clipped the banner to this mini vintage clothes hanger. This is a “leftover” from my time on the Crafty Secrets Design Team. But you could substitute a Tim Holtz Display Hanger. You would just need to knock back the nickel finish a bit to give it more of a rustic, vintage feel.

Next I added a Frayed Posie to the top of each clip, and a Bitty Posie to the Label.

I tied a torn piece of Burlap Cotton Blend Ribbon around the neck of the hanger using a square knot. Then I topped it with a loopy Natural Burlap String Bow.

This was such a fun creative project to make. I let myself go and enjoyed the entire process. I hope I’ve shared some ideas that have stirred up your own creative juices. If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Graphic 45 Staples Tags Are the Bees Knees Tag Card with Times Nouveau DCE

Hello, G45’ers! If you love tags, you are going to love today’s post. I’ve pulled out one my Times Nouveau DCE, some Staples Tags, Distress Oxide Inks and lot of other paper playthings to make this fabulous The Bees Knees Tag Card.

I’m a huge fan of G45 Staples Tags! They come in many styles and sizes, which means you can use them in a near endless variety of ways. The beautiful shaped edge and vintage metal grommet makes them the perfect layering element on a card or layout. You can string alpha tags together to make a pretty banner that spells out a special greeting. Tie a decorated tag onto gift packaging to take it to the next level. Tuck a decorated tag into a card to be used as a bookmark, and you’ve just turned a card into a gift. Set them on a small easel and use them for home decor. I’ve even used Staples Tags as pages in my mini albums.

These are thick, heavy tags ,made from high quality paper, which means you can layer them up with mixed media materials and use them as a mini canvas. Add Distress Inks or paints to these tags to add that trendy watercolor element to your creation. There seems to be no end to the number of creative ways that you can put these workhorses to use during your crafty adventure time.

From Tag to Card: Let the Adventure Begin!

I’ve made a lot of tags along the way, but this time around, I wanted to try something totally different. So I challenged myself to make a card using Staples Tags as the base. I spent a delightful morning in my studio with a stack of Staples Ivory tags in various sizes and the ever fresh Times Nouveau Deluxe Collector’s Edition. Distress Oxide Inks joined the party, making things even more lively. I even found a way to work a hidden tag pocket into the design.

The Bees Knees Tag Card: Creating the spine

You can turn a tag into a uniquely shaped card by creating a hinged spine to join two tags of the same size together. For these long tags, I cut my hinge to measure 7” tall x 2 ¼” wide. Score this strip of paper on the short side at 1” and again at 1 ¼” . Before you add the designer papers to the insides of your tags, glue the 1” strip on each side of the scored lines between the two tags, leaving a ¼” spine.

The Bees Knees Tag Card: Pockets, Tags and Folios

Tags and pockets just go together. I turned this fabulous image into a side pocket for these two little folios. Photos, journaling or gift cards can be tucked inside. I love the little banner/paper clip embellishment made with scraps. When paper is this fabulous, you want to use every little bit!

Try using Mixed Media supplies on your tags to add an extra level of interest. I used Distress Oxide inks to dress up the text area on both “Cheers” and “Celebrate” tags. With ink or paints, you can add that trendy watercolor element to your creation and color match your papers every time.

If an image (like the Bee’s Knees Postcard on this tag) is too wide for your tag base, here is a simple solution. Measure the width of your surface, then score and fold the image. Add a decorative image to the flap, and you’ve just turned a dilemma into an interactive element.

It’s the perfect spot to tuck in a hidden tag pocket and treat!

Chipboard Tags Come Along for the Ride

You can use the chipboard elements that come with the Deluxe Collector’s Edition to make fantastic embellishments for your card. I glued the tags back to back, then hitched them to a Tim Holtz Swivel Clasp.

The tags are reversible, and I love the motion they add to the design.

Other Tips and Tricks

I always decorate the insides of my cards first, and I followed that same process with this unique tag card. This keeps the front cover of the card from being crushed or soiled as you work on the inside.
Use Staples Metal packaging for the back piece of your tag card. The heavy chipboard base will allow your tag card to stand up without buckling under the weight of all the card layers. Sand the surface lightly so that papers will adhere and then go to town creating your next masterpiece.
I like to back laser cut tags with black cardstock to make the stylish font pop off the page.

Are you inspired to break out your pretty G45 papers, Staples Tags, scissors and glue? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

Graphic 45 Products:

G45 Times Nouveau Deluxe Collector’s Edition
Staples Ivory Large Tag Album
Cheers, Party, Celebrate Ivory Tags
“Celebrate” Staples ATC Ivory Tag
G45 Tag Packaging from Metal Clock Keys

Other Products

Petaloo Flowers
Blue Jay Seam Binding Ribbon
Burlap String
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Swivel Clasp
Distress Oxide Inks: Broken China, Fossilized Amber
Gypsy Laser Cuts Doily
Novelty Buttons
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Heat Tool

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose Christmas Card

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose Christmas Card for Tammy Tutterow Creative Team

Hello, Friends! It’s the time of year when you begin to feel Jack Frost Nipping at your nose. I know I don’t usually post at this time of day, but I just finished the cutest card using my brand new stamps from Tammy Tutterow, and I just had to share it with you.

Isn’t it cute, cute, cute? I actually created the black and white background using Tammy’s cool new Doodle Snowflake stamp. I don’t know how she did it, but this stamp has 3-D shading built into it. See how the stamp has both white and grey lines? It was inked with ColorBox White Frost Pigment ink, but when it is stamped, you end up with a sort of very cool “shadow” layer. How nifty is that?

After stamping onto black cardstock, I heat embossed the white ink with clear embossing powder. Then I spritzed the entire area with Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist to give it a “frosted” look.

Next, I paper pieced the adorable Mittens stamp using Carta Bella Warm & Cozy papers. I added Glossy Accents to the center heart and button to add a bit of shine and dimension. My mom used to knit pretty mittens for us every Christmas, so I was all about this cutie pie stamp, let me tell you!

The Jack Frost sentiment is stamped onto watercolor paper and painted with Aged Mahogany and Festive Berries Distress Markers. I just scribble the ink onto my non-stick craft mat and then pick up the color with a water pen. The edges are inked with Iced Spruce and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink using a blending tool. Then I spattered some random ink dots all over to resemble a fanciful snow flurry. As a final touch, Stardust Stickles were randomly added to the design. Then I sewed up the layers and finished the card front with ribbon, a silver mitten charm and novelty button.

The inside of the card has a sweet surprise tucked into a wee envelope I created with Tammy’s Window Mini Pocket Die. The opening is the exact size to fit a mini Ghiradelli chocolate. How fun is that?