Using Household Products To Make Cards

Good afternoon.  Spent last week visiting my sister in Georgia, and had a great time. I took my youngest granddaughter, Emilie, and we had a blast.  Her first time in the mountains.

I belong to an online group of international ladies, and every couple of months they have a challenge where we do different things.  A couple of months ago it was faux postage.  The challenge this time around is to use something on your card, either to make it or to embellish it, that's not normally found in the craft room.

So far I have come up with three cards. 

Table Salt

This card was watercolored with pink, green and blue, and while still wet I added table salt. The salt wicks the color, and when it dries you have these lovely patterns of texture. The salt easily brushes off.

Coffee

For this card I saved leftover coffee every day for about a week.  You don't need much each day.  I put it in a little plastic pallette and let the water evaporate.  Then I would add more the next day and let it evaporate.  When the water evaporates, you are left with a rich brown color.  When you are ready to color your image, just add a little water back to the well and paint away.  By varying the amount of water you use, you can get some really pretty tones.  Let each layer dry and add more color to intensify the colors.  I stamped the image in the lightest brown I had, and the lids and sentiment were stamped with a dark brown.  Other than that, the card was watercolored with coffee.

Dish detergent and food coloring

For this card, I mixed food coloring and water (you could also use dye reinkers) in a small cotainer that would allow me to dip the cardstock.  Then I added a little dishwashing soap and blew bubbles with a straw.  I took the cardstock and laid it on top of the bubbles (it's heavier and wants to sink, so hold on to it - you don't want the cardstock soaked, just laid on the popped bubbles). When the bubbles pop you are left with a nice background.  You have to do each color separately, but it's well worth it.  Vary the amount of food coloring you use to vary the intensity.

I have other ideas, but haven't had time to work on them yet.

Please leave a comment and tell me what is the most unusual thing you have used to make a card?  

See you soon.