Primitive techniques and Prim staining

By now many of you already know how to grubby up nearly anything......right? Oh! Okay so there are a few of you still looking for the "How did they do that" recipe.........its so easy and one trip to the grocery or dollar store for a few simple supplies should do it. will go over all of that at the end of this blog. But first I want to share some other ways I have found to give your primitives a time worn look. Here's some things I have tried, and have liked............no, LOVED!

Use some of the ash from your charcoal grill; yes the ash is a great substance to use for your prims....and it is not too messy! Well, accept your hands will be a bit darker when your finished (0: so use some latex gloves if you are concerned.

Another thing you can try......(and I absolutely love this one) is BROWN shoe polish, the waxy paste kind. I use this for the edges of tags, it gives it a deeper more worn/old look. I also use it around the edges of the graphics I use on my tags......I stain as usual (well almost, I use something other than vanilla...and I will get to that in a second)....let them dry or dry them in the oven, and blot some shoe polish around the edges. Next I find my graphic, TEAR in from the paper so it is EXTRA raggedy around the edges, modpodge the backside, apply it to my tag, and lightly dab shoe polish around the edges of my graphic, until I get the look I want. Add modpode to the entire surface, let dry.....and poof!! your done!

Okay, now I said I used "something" other than vanilla in my mixture..........and this one you will want to try! I was picking up my supplies at the dollar store one very blustery winter day and ran into some "maple" flavoring. So I thought what the heck, for a buck I will give it a try, and OMG ladies this is the best impulse buy ever! The maple flavoring has a very fragrant aroma that lasts......vanilla smells good, but maple is even better I think......and it is cheap! I can't help it , all my materials for my staining come from the dollar store....the cheaper the better, they all work the same!

Now, for that recipe I promised those who are still looking for a way to grubby or dye their dollies, dresses, make-do's, and ornies.

Here it is:

1 cup HOT water
5 Heaping t.s. INSTANT coffee (or you can use tea bags)
3 t.s. Vanilla (or go out to the dollar store and find maple flavoring)
and a healthy dose of cinnamon (you dont have to put this in, but if you do make sure your water is still hot).........Cinnamon will make a goop that settles to the bottom of your container. DO NOT throw this out, it is a great goop for added and extra grungy look to you work.

Apply your mixture to your doll, dress, or ornie with a sponge brush, and bake on about 200 degrees, turning about every 5 minutes or for a darker look set out in the sun and bake it naturally......or you can use a hair dryer on the hot setting.

There you have it......a couple new ways to add a few years, and the all famous dying recipe!!!

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