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. 

My jars of walnut hull powder dye can be found in the

 Etsy shop.  

(I am trying to keep a bigger stock of it in these days.) 

It is a 1/4'' cup that will go a long way if you are just doing personal projects. I even throw in a little wooden spoon and a little instruction card. 

Shop Cinnamon Creek Folk Art 

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

A Fresh Start

Hello ! 

Here I am again , all ready for a fresh new week , Full of thoughts and ideas .  I feel so very blessed that I can do what I love for a living.  I get so excited about every little thing !  My biggest problem is that I cannot organize my thoughts.  I just want to do it all !  I'm trying to train my brain to slow down, take one thing at a time and enjoy each project, live in the moment, without thinking about what's next.   I want to be as cool and laid back as my sweet Elijah Cat.  Doesn't he look so happy and peaceful  in this picture?  That's his favorite resting spot , there atop my cubby by my worktable.  He keeps me company while I create. 

Last week was a mess !   My main goal right now is to design new patterns to offer you.  I get many requests for tutorials and how-to's, so, I thought.... Heck, I'll just photo or video as I go along making the examples of these patterns to share on this blog .  Well,  It just didn't work out for me.   I wasted a whole day simply trying to set up my camera to video me stitching some faces.   16 tries and the day was gone !  Ha ! I'll have to learn some video skills before I attempt that again.   But, I will be sharing some good photo demonstrations soon on some of my techniques that you might like to see. 

Also on my mind, is the thought of combining my 2 online business into one,Somehow. 

  CINNAMON CREEK FOLK ART  , being my pattern line, and A FINE FARMHOUSE , where I sell my finished goods from time to time. I want to be able to keep my Fine Farmhouse Website more active, yet, I don't have time to keep good things made up to sell all the time.   I"m considering a few different things to make improvements there, and even start stocking my patterns there as well as Etsy.  Because, I truly love having my own Website !  

I LoVe making so many different things.  Many of you know I started out way back in the early 1980's making cloth folk art.   Sold in the wholesale market for many years, then I decided I did not want to mass produce anymore.   No way, no how !   I have enjoyed many years since then, being able to make whatever is in my heart.  Lots of one of a kinds. Things made of cloth or paper.  I really love making things with old images.  It's been fun to share some of that with you all with my printable packages.  I've got other ideas for paper projects for you coming up in the near future. 

So, I will get on with my day now.  FOCUS on one project at a time. Save my daydreaming and planning for the evening when I'm done. Todays project is another pattern design.  I have some samples started and hope to have a new one or two ready to offer in the Etsy shop in a few days. 

I'm happy that many of you have been getting my latest patterns !  And, older ones too !  I truly appreciate you all !  That Pumpkin in the Urn is my newest favorite ! 

Have a most wonderful day ,  I hope you can slow down and enjoy each moment as I intend to do ! 

Dru Ann

Mid-January ALREADY ?

My gosh....where has the time gone ?   I cannot believe it's the middle of January already !

I have been looking for the time and inspiration to re-visit this blog and , I'm getting there.
I was anxious to start it back before Christmas to share with your those Santa face instructions. I do hope they helped you.

I've been taking a little time off, as I always do this time of year.  I've been creating several new designs to sell in my Fine Farmhouse Etsy shop as well as new patterns for Cinnamon Creek.

I recently added some fun Valentine projects to the Cinnamon Creek Etsy shop, and just today, 2 new rabbit patterns.

So, I just wanted to pop in and say HELLO and I hope you are off to a great NEW YEAR too ! 

I shall return here very soon with something FuN ! 

Have a very lovely week my friends , 

Dru Ann