Stashbusting: Pretty Paperclips

Hi All… I've recieved some questions about using Rit Dye on paper. So I'll go over the process here. It's very easy. And addicting!

Supplies: Rit Dye, paperclips, button brads or stickers (these are from Making Memories), shipping tags, hot glue, scrap paper (and/or black cardstock), a 1" circle paper punch, strong scissors, a stapler (or sewing machine), pinking shears (optional) and hot glue.

Grab your tags…

And a large bowl. Open dye packet and dump it in.

I used 2 cups of boiling hot water.

 Mix well.

Drop tags in. This is a timing issue. The longer you leave them, the richer the color and the more they get a distressed look. BUT they can also fall apart if you leave them in too long. I think 2-3 minutes is the max. Get some paper towels ready for the wet tags to rest on.

If you don't want to dye your hands(!) salad tongs work well for retrieving the tags.

This is an example of how lovely and different two tags can look even when you use the same dye. I let the darker one sit for awhile in the bowl– the lighten one was in there for about a minute.

Onto the buttons:

These happened to be brads in disguise, so I snipped them with my scissors. Use hot glue to attach the paperclip to the back of the button.
 

And cover the back with punched pretty paper…

Also securing with hot glue.

To prettify the tags (where the paperclips will live) cut a strip of patterned paper. You can use pinking shears to add interest.

Use a stapler to attach to the tag or use the sew machine.

For buttons that have sticker backings, simple remove the sticker– it comes right off– use hot glue to adhere the paperclip. Cover with a 1" punched circle of black cardstock.
 

E-Z!

Here's how they turned out.

The whole process takes about an hour for a dozen or so– just leave a couple hours in the middle to let the tags dry after dying.

These are great little gifts and a wonderful way to use up stuff you might have in your supplies.

I'm going to add my whole link-up list. I don't always have a chance to visit every party but they are some of my favorites. Wishing everyone a very happy week. 

Monday

http://rebeccacooper.blogspot.com/

http://sewcando.blogspot.com/

http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/

http://www.thegirlcreative.com

http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://itssoverycheri.com/

http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

http://www.lifemadelovely-blog.com/

Tuesday

http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/

http://www.rookno17.com/

http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/

http://allthingzrelated.blogspot.com/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

Wednesday

http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

http://takeitfrom-me.blogspot.com/

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/

http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/

http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/

Thursday

http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com/

http://www.somewhatsimple.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

http://www.whipperberry.com/

http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/

http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/

Friday

http://www.504main.com/ 

http://www.mommiecooks.com/

http://justagirlblog.com/

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/

http://www.chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

http://tidymom.net/

Saturday

http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

 http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Sunday

http://www.flamingotoes.com/