Aging with Coffee & Walnut

 Today, I thought I'd share with you a little bit about dying with Walnut Dye Powder and Instant Coffee. 
I am aware that there are hundreds of posts about this on pinterest, but, here is my 2 cents.

Below you will see some samples that , for anyone fairly new at this , might find helpful.  

I'm always aging CLOTH and PAPER.  And there are so many variants to consider when you want an old, antique look.

You have to consider the type of cloth or paper you are using and to what shade that you want the outcome to be.

Long ago, when I first started my creative business, Instant coffee was all that I used. Now-a-days, I find that most of the time, it is too "Orangy" for most projects. However , it just depends on the look you are going for.  

Take a gander at these samples....

THE SAMPLES ABOVE, WERE DONE WITH  1 TABLESPOON INSTANT COFFEE TO 1 CUP OF HOT, HOT WATER.

Walnut Hull Powder is great. I love the deep, brown tones that happen with it. However , often times it can take on a "purple" cast.  I find that happens mostly on plain, smooth, paper and certain smoother fabrics.  I have found that the longer the dye solution "steeps" that purple cast no longer exists. But, you must also consider that the PH of the water may also have something to do with the shades you end up with.  

Also, I should mention that walnut powder does not completely  dissolve.  There will be a residue left in your dye pot and will end up on your work.  It brushes off easily , but can be a little messy on your tabletop. 

My "go-to" solution for most projects these days is a mix of Walnut AND Coffee...

THE SAMPLES ABOVE WERE DONE WITH A MIX 

INSTANT COFFEE - 1 TABLESPOON TO ONE CUP WATER

WALNUT HULL POWDER - 1/4 TEASPOON TO ONE CUP WATER

Below, are the papers and cloth pieces that I started with.

 A LOVELY MIX OF ASSORTED DYED PAPERS. I like the contrast of the one botanical print that I didn't stain at all .  THE PAPER DOLL IS FROM MY LATEST "HERB & GARDEN" PRINTABLE SET.    I COLORED HER SKIRT AND JACKET IN WITH  BROWN ANTIQUING WAX  ( I need to do a post about that ! )  

Another photo of various papers from the same jar of dye that all the samples above were done in. 

I almost forgot to include a good example of a finished cloth project .  This ls my latest pattern... "The Common Pea-hen"

I made this one from natural linen, aged with the same walnut/coffee mixture. Brushed on with a paintbrush after it was stuffed, but before putting together. 

As I mentioned, there are so many variables as to how an aging project will turn out.  Another big factor is how it is DRieD .   I find, that if an item is left to be dried naturally, out of sun, it will end up a light shade. 

If the item is dried in the oven, it takes on a nice, and fairly even deep shade of brown.  If it is dried in the sun, it is also a good deep shade, but can end up spotty , often with very dark spots. Kind of "sunburnt" .

I hope all of this helps you a little.  I've been doing this for a whole lotta years, and sometimes things still don't age out as I had hoped.   It's not a science, you just have to experiment and consider all the conditions. 

I no longer offer the dye in my Etsy shop, but it's easy to find on Amazon... be sure to search for 

BLACK WALNUT HULL POWDER 

Thank you for visiting today .  Happy Creating ! 

                 Dru Ann

Fresh and New .....

Hello My Friends ! 

I just want to share a few pictures with you.  Things that have been made from my latest printables.   These instant download sets are so much fun to work with and I think the possibilities are endless . 

                      The Enjoy your Life Bird collage and Peace Box were made with my "PEACE and HAPPINESS" set . 

Take a look at these wonderful sachets made by my Wisconsin Friend, Jeanne !   I just love her sweet little creations.   Jeanne goes by the name " Farmhouse Gatherings"  She offers her goods at .....  Issacs -  in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin  .   If you're in that area, you must go for a visit ! 

Jeanne made these using a mix of my different printable sets.   She printed them on cloth.  Just fabulous ! 

And more of my paper things.... The above is a collage and below is a  page in a little journal that  I'm working on. 

Please be sure to visit my Fine Farmhouse website often.  As many of you know, I've given it a make-over and  I plan on offering more printables very soon, as well as more creative  kits, supplies....and yes.... I've got some of my bears and other cloth handmades in the works as well.    
                                                    Have a lovely day ! 
                                                          Dru Ann

Hello Autumn !

 Happy Autumn my friends !   Yes, it's been a long time since I've posted here.  I think I'll just post when I think I have  a REALLY good share for you . AND, Today, I DO !  

I am so happy today.  Autumn is my absolute favorite time of the year and I'm getting so excited.  Although our weather here in Kentucky is still hot and humid, I do know that those cool , crisp Autumn days are getting closer.    I woke up inspired this morning and wanted to do a quick project that I've been wanting to do for awhile .   Paper Leaves ! 

This is a  fun and easy project.  These leaves  are so sweet and can be used in so many different ways.   Take a look at the following pics,  and then you'll see the template to make your own lovely paper leaves. 

All you need to do is print yourself some pages of lovely script paper. Grab some wire, matte gel medium ( Or Mod Podge) and scissors of course. 

  I printed mine on regular copy paper. There are lots of possibilities.  You can keep them really simple without the wire, or to add a little more character to them, add wire.  To make leaves just like mine, You need to print one page with the  leaf templates and one with script, without the leaves.  ( see below )  

You can copy and paste or drag these printables to your desktop. 

I got the basic leaf template from the kind ladies at  A Beautiful Mess 

Once you have them printed out, DON'T cut the exact shapes ( see below), just cut around them, because you want to add the wire in first.   Lay down one layer, brush on your matte medium gel, lay down your wire piece cut to size, centered on the leaf , then lay the other layer on top.  Press down firmly. Set aside to dry. 

Once dry, you can age them.  I aged mine with coffee and set them out in the sun for a bit. 

Make garlands, put them in a wreath,  scatter them around as you wish !   Create and have fun ! 

Feel FREE to save and print this wonderful quote as well ! 

I hope you all are having good days, stay healthy and be happy ! 

Thank you for visiting ! 

Dru Ann

Sunflower Season

Happy Friday my Friends !
I hope that you've had a great week.  I truly have !  I've been in a real creative zone over the past few days and I'm feeling so good !  I'll share with you, some of what I've been up to NEXT week,  But, for now, I just wanted to pop in and let you know that I just released my latest pattern......
                                                         ~  Rugged Sunflowers ~

I made these and wrote up the pattern last weekend.  I shared the photos on Facebook and Instagram and am completely amazed at the pleasant response that I got !  I really appreciate you guys ! 

This morning, I took the time to edit the pattern and publish it in the Etsy shop.  It's there now, available as Instant Download OR Printed/Delivered to  your mailbox. 

It's a very easy and fun project.  I can't wait to make more ! 

So, if you are interested in making some yourself, Hop on over to the 

Cinnamon Creek Etsy Shop !

I apologize that todays post seems more like and advertisement.   As I said, I've been in a "Zone" this week. When I get into working on things that I love so much, I don't take the time to do much else !  The house is a mess,  we're eating quick and easy meals and all is neglected around the yard.  Heck, it's too hot around here to be outside anyway.  ( I do make sure the goats, piggy and chickens are taken care of though , Yes, I do have to visit with them :) ) I never think to stop and take pictures of what I'm doing.  But, I do plan on slowing down and doing just that this weekend.   

So, until then.... I  wish for YOU, a fabulous weekend !   Do whatever it is that you LOVE ! 

Dru Ann