For the first time, I chose to forage for walnuts in the backyard and create an “ink”. As was looking at it, I thought how cool to put it on some wooden ornaments I was creating for the nieces and a nephew! So I did! For an ink, this should be simmered for 3+ hours, but I was in a rush and only had an hour and a half. It came out perfect for a light stain. To use it for inking and ink washes, I may make some more and darken it. Really fun to do.

BTW – do not try to make ink out of catnip. Experience is talking here. Just don’t. One, the cats went bananas, and it does not make a very good stain. Not to mention I was happy it was a warm Nov. day since all the windows were thrown open.

Then there is whacked out cats in love with your Christmas ornament when you use it to stain the (tried it on the back of the one he is almost touching) wood. You have had fair warning! There are loads of recipes out on the internet. Foraged ink is loads of fun! Just follow the recipes unless you tend to be adventurous. Mint and catnip are not the same. Just sayin’.