Monday, April 26, 2010

DID U KNOW?

Just some random DIY stuff that I thought I would share.
Oh Yeah, GO PENS!!!!!!

1. Flower soft can be dyed with re-inkers.

I have only one container of flower soft in ivory . I needed some pink for a project and found that I could make my own custom colors.  I ended up not using it but it is nice to know that I can make whatever color I need.


I put a couple drops of Tim Holtz Distress ink in a plastic bag containing the ivory flower soft and smooshed it around a bit. I then dumped it out on a paper towel to dry. Once dry,  it was then placed in a clean plastic bag for storage.

A little pinch of the FS goes a long way so this is economical and you get an exact match if you have re-inkers that coordinate with your project.

2. You can easily dye your own seam binding for vintage style projects.

I have noticed a few people using scrunched seam binding on projects. Check out LILYBEAN'S PAPERIE for some magnificent examples. I just drool over Melissa's work and she has such a positive soul!

I supported myself during my undergrad work by doing alterations for a chi chi ladies clothing store where I hemmed the skirts of some of the most wealthy and famous Pittsburgh Ladies.  When I saw the seam binding ribbon on Melissa's projects I realized I had a huge roll left over from my seamstress days.  You can find it HERE for about 9 cents a yard. You can also get it already colored but I like customizing my own to match my projects.

I thought this would be difficult to do but it was pretty simple since I worked with small lengths of ribbon.  I chose some SU rose red and put a couple drops into a glass votive holder filled about 3/4 full of water.  You can adjust the intensity of the color by adding more or less to suit your taste.

 I added the seam binding and let it soak for about a half an hour. 

 I removed it from the container and placed it all scrunched up into a wad of  paper towels and blotted it a bit. I left it in the paper towels and let it dry overnight.
It turned out just a little too scrunched to I just went over it very lightly with a steam iron and ta da! Ready for all sorts of shabby projects.
Is that not scrumptious?

Let me know if you found these tips useful.  I will randomly choose a commenter on Wednesday to receive some custom died ribbon.
Hope you have super week and check back on Thursday for some Greeting Farm sneak peeks.

16 comments:

Amy said...

Thanks for the info Kim! I've never seen the seam binding used before and dying makes is simply amazing! I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the link to Melissa's blog too...it's fabulous!

KymKreates said...

I may have to use these tips. Especially the seam binding. I love the look!

Thanks,
KymKreates

Cindy Haffner said...

FABULOUS, great idea!!

*Michaela* said...

Oh, this was so helpful! I was wondering how would you make that kind of ribbon. I saw few ladies using them, but the only place to find it was on etsy - this seems more economical to me. Thanks Kim, this is fabulous!

Call Me Crafty Al said...

I am off to see if Hobby Lobby carries the seam binding... I have been admiring that 'crinkly ribbon' lately and had no idea what it was. Thanks so much!!

Lilnda w said...

Thank you so much for the 2 very usefull ideas for adding color to the floweer soft and the seam binding. Now I guess I don't need that colored flower soft now...

stamp on...

Amy Johnson said...

Wow! What great ideas! I love the idea too of using up what we have already in our house instead of always buying new.

JenRaff said...

That ribbon is gorgeous!!! You are so creative ~ I never would have thought of dying flower soft with reinker.
GO PENS!

Jessica Diedrich said...

How cool is this?! beautiful!

Jewel Lee said...

gonna have to lift this idea!! love it....

Call Me Crafty Al said...

I used your seam binding idea and made some of my own 'wrinkly ribbon'. It was so easy, I may need to buy every color of Rit dye :)
I blogged a card today using it and linked up your tutorial. Thanks!
http://callmecraftyal.blogspot.com/2010/05/whimsie-doodles-new-stitchems-sneak.html

Country Mouse said...

Wow, thanks for all the wonderful, useful tips!!!:) Beautiful work!!!

Wanda Cullen said...

So glad Patter linked me to your fabulous blog! I had dyed seam binding using Tattered Angels glimmer mist, but am glad to know it works with SU reinkers as well!

Anonymous said...

Hi there!

These are such great tips! Patter's blog sent me over...and I will be thanking her in a moment.

Thank you for sharing, in detail what you came up with. They come out beautifully! I can't wait to try the ideas!

He IS Able,
Traci S.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting...I will be back again to read more on this topic.

Anonymous said...

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Can I use part of the information from this post above if I provide a link back to your website?

Thanks,
Jack