Here is a great way to use your MM Kraft paper. This idea was emailed to us by Kim Frantz. She used dye to create her own customer colors of Kraft paper. For alternative dyes, you can use re-inkers (normally used for re-inking ink pads). You just need to dilute them with water. The more water you use, the less intense the color will be. Tea, Kool-Aid and even watercolors work (liquid water colors need to be diluted with water).
Another fun way to color Kraft paper is to wrinkle and wet with a spray bottle, rub Distress Ink by Tim Holtz across the surface, then use a warm iron to speed dry. Can produce a similar look to dyeing.
- KIM'S PROCESS:
- Fill small plastic containers with dyes (check the instructions for proper handling).
- Lay out paper towels for drying. You may need to protect your work surface with a layer of plastic first.
- Tear and cut pieces of MM Kraft Paper and place into containers.
- Experiment - leave some pieces in the dye a short amount of time, leave others in for an hour or so. Longer times equal more intense color saturation.
- Dye other materials as well (like tags, ribbon, and paper flowers).
- You can let your pieces air dry or use a warm iron on an old dish towel.
- Put your pieces in piles according to color...and just start creating!
