Monday, November 2, 2009

~~Do You Love Grunge Tags? How about a Tutorial!?!~~

Ordinary shipping tags, boiling water, instant coffee granules, vanilla and cinnamon
I mix the first 3 ingredients in the glass measuring cup, cool, and then pour half into a shallow container, big enough to dip the tags into.

You can just dunk the tags into the mixture, or leave them in for 20 seconds or so, depending on how dark you want your tags to be. Either way, lightly tap the tag against the edge of container after dunking, so you don't end up with puddles on your tags. Lay them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

The part that makes them the most aromatic, is lightly sprinkling cinnamon on them while they are wet, before baking. Don't go overboard... a little goes a long way! You can then add a second layer of tags on the cookie sheet, and repeat the cinammon sprinkling on the 2nd layer.

Bake in a preheated oven of 250 degrees, bake for 5-6 minutes, flip the tags over to expose the underside and continue baking for another minute or so. You will feel that they are dried out and beginning to curl up when finished baking.
Over a sink, I brush the excess/loose cinnamon off each tag with my hand. Make sure to store the finished tags in an airtight container (the original package they came in, or a zip lock bag works well) to savor the aroma !
Let your imagination run wild while altering and collaging them. Use distress inks, stamps, faceted jewels, Glimmermists, ephemera, copies of old photos, lace, buttons, and more. They make wonderful gifts in a set of 6 or so, or to use as a bookmark. Using them to embellish that special gift for someone isn't the only use for these!
Just a couple of ideas. Great for Chritmas, birthdays, or anyday! Enjoy!


 When I first discovered the fun of making altered gift tags in that deliciously scented, aged look, I knew I had to find out how to grunge the tags myself. First of all, alot cheaper (you can grunge 100 large shipping tags yourself for about $6, and the ingredients will last for several hundreds of tags). Second of all, you can get the exact measure of grunge and scent you want. I have had several friends request a tutorial on how to do this process , so here goes. Any questions, please feel free to email me. First of all, you will need basic shipping tags ( I like the larger size, with string attached available at Staples for under $6 a pkg. of 100). You will also need 1 1/2 cups boiling water, 3 T vanilla, about 4 T instant coffee granules. Mix those 3 ingredients together, let cool slightly. You will also need ground cinnamon. ALL of the ingredients can be no-name, or generic brands. Go the cheapest route!

33 comments:

Studio 27 said...

Thanks QueenBe, fantastic tutorial!

pinkglitterfae said...

thanks QueenBe! this is actually something I may be able to do. It seems so easy, now I have to go buy some shipping tags :-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Carol.. You are the QUEEN!!!

xo
Cat

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello QueenBe,

Thanks so much for sharing this grunge technique...I see them like this and wonder exactly what they are using...so now I know one way to do it and it's so simple!

Scatter Bliss...
Stephanie

Bee Haven Bev said...

Hi Carol....great crafting ideas! I will be back. I am attracted to all things bee as we live on Bee Haven Acres! So it is finally good to meet the queen bee!!!

whyte said...

Thanks so much Carol! I have everything except the instant coffee, because true coffee lovers would die before having a jar in their cupboard! I love the scented tags I have from you!! And now must do this!

Robin said...

Thanks a bunch for this tutorial! I will be giving this a try!!

BeautifulRuin@Etsy.com said...

Thanks for sharing this grunging technique! Who would've thought?

Robin Ennis Willson said...

thank you for sharing your technique!

Artsnark said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial, Carol! Can't wait to try it

Eugen Caitaz said...

Very cool idea!!!It's your idea? I want one so too!!! :)

Rayann said...

Yippee thanks Queenie

Tatanky said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I love grunge look. You made it look so easy I'd love to give it a go. Thanks all the way from Mexico.

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful. I really want to try it!

Sandy said...

Fantastic tutorial! This is my first visit here but I will be back. I'd love to leave a link to this post if it is OK.

Faye said...

Fantastic idea!!!

Kathy said...

Saving this one for a rainy day....I still have a bunch I "bought"...lol I will give this a try one day. Great tutorial Carol.
~xx~
Kathy

Charlene said...

I LOVE these tags!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the tutorial! I have purchased them already done But, being able to do them myself is WONDERFUL!!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING! Now I'm off to view a few more of your posts. Have a great weekend.

Michelle Palmer said...

I have made tags for years... but I LOVE your suggestions!
A must-try :)
Thank you for sharing~
Michelle

jvw home said...

Carol,
After getting your email, I went to your blog...so cute!!
And then I scrolled down to this post and noticed the aged tags. I bought those for Christmas gifts!! I adored them....
Also, read your profile...and you're a busy Mom like me, but we both have lived/renovated old homes...ours is from the 1800's & it has alot of soul. I hope to feature much more soon on the blog about the ole farmhouse and the renovation going on...we did most of the major stuff about 3 yrs ago, but now we're doing another "phase" that I"m excited to blog about!
I'm now one of your biggest fans of your Etsy shop & blog!
All the best,
Jeanette


http://jvwhome.blogspot.com

Sandra L. said...

Hi there--I'm ladyinblack1964 on Etsy. Thanks for sending me to your blog here. And thanks for sharing the magical recipe--I can't wait to try it!!

Best,
Sandra

Crystal L. said...

Good technique. Just as a note, by adding lavender pods in with the cinnamon, you get really interesting blue and purple spots adding color. I'm wondering if some rose petals would have a similar effect. Sharing the experience!

janaz said...

Made these today - they look and smell great! Thanks for your tutorial - it was so easy to follow. :)

Gail Park said...

Thanks so much for sharing this! I linked your post to a card I made using your technique and also to my blog post
http://gailepark.blogspot.com/2015/02/whipping-up-some-kitchen-magic.html

Unknown said...

My granddaughter, her friend and I can't wait to try this. Thank you for the step by step pictures. This always helps when working with kids. Great tutorial. Thank you for sharing.

Sadie said...

Great tutorial and info on making grunge tags. Thank you so much! I am going to pin this for future reference so you'll be seeing more visitors to your blog as well.

Koalamama said...

Just getting into altered tags, and this tutorial stood out! You had me at "cinnamon"! While wet, I'm going to try rubbing the spice into the tag a bit before baking. I would like to try with other seasonal spices, too! Nutmeg, allspice and pumpkin pie spice (or any combination) sound wonderful! I'll let you know how they turn out!

Coleen said...

Good tut, Laura. I've used coffee and tea to color, but cinnamon, how fun. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sure you bless many over and over.

Mary Decker said...

How kind of you to take the time to explain how to make these. Thank you very much!

Corine said...

It's a good idea !
Thank you for your tutorial.
Corine.

jaybea said...

What a great idea to add the cinnamon for the smell I have used tea and coffee for colour but will definitely be trying it with the cinnamon thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

Thanks so much!

Art rasha kamal said...

Good job 👏