Tea Bag Spring Card

Hi readers! Can you believe that Spring is almost officially here.  Well in my neck of the woods it is overcast and feels like rain will soon be here. Thank goodness I took advantage of the sun yesterday. I have not seen any bulbs up yet and miss seeing Spring flowers this early. The grocery store yesterday didn't even have any daffodils to buy. Just tons of roses so I'll have to wait to buy myself a bouquet of Spring.

Roni  at http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/ posted her beautiful work stamping on tea bags. Well mine didn't turn out the way hers did but I did learn that not all tea bags are the same size,made the same way, or made out of the same  material. For this I used a Stash tea bag. I was looking at my display of rubber stamps and pulled a few that I thought might work size-wise. I thought the tulips stamp would be perfect for making a Spring card.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade. When you mess up improvise. I will confess that I'm a master of improvising. I did not have my letter size sheet of cardstock on the mat correctly so the scallop edge was cut off.at one end of my card base. I decided to cut that edge so it was straight and add a strip of scrap which just happened to be on my desk which is the same pattern cardstock as the scallop circle.  After adhering the strip I hand cut the scallops and inked the edge in gold ink which doesn't really show in the photo.

The lace doily was also on my desk as I had planned to use it on another project but then felt like it was too much. I think I like how it looks with the die cut scallop circle so I'll have to keep in mind pairing cut out circles with the doily.

I was looking at the doily and circle but thought it was too bland. Since this week the emphasis at My Creative Classroom is on buttons I decided to get out my stash of buttons and see what I could do. Using Zots I attached the buttons. Although I had tried the buttons on every scallop of the circle I thought it was too much. What do you think? Would you have covered all the scallops with buttons?

I did not rinse my teabag out so it is a darker color although you could rinse it. I was hoping I could empty the tea without cutting the bag open. Alas that was not the case. Also as I was emptying the tea I discovered that the tea was in two different sections.

Roni used Distress Stains but believe it or not I do not own any. I am still in the cave days of crafting I guess. I do however have Distress Ink pads, water, and paint brushes. I stamped right on the tea bag with Concord Grape,Peeled Paint, and Antique Linen. Then taking a wet paintbrush I dribbled water on the tea bag and then blended the colors with my brush. In a few places I went back and stamped again and blended until I was satisfied with the result. I let my bag dry and then stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. The stamp is Tulips by Hero Arts. Alas I think it is a discontinued stamp like most of my rubber stamps as I could not find it online.

I don't know if my ink was not as juicy or the type I used as the inked image does not show on the other side of the tea bag like it did for Roni. More experimentation will need to be done.

I can't wait to play with a tea bag from Kirkland Green Tea as it is a fabric mesh bag. Also instead of using distress ink or stain I want to play with watercolors. I will probably use my tube ones as I can use those on a palette watered down. I also found a used dryer sheet which I will be playing with.

Although I stamped on the tea bag you could instead of stamping on the tea bag use a sticker, die cut  shape, a print and cut image or other embellishments. Personally I think this technique would be sweet with a vintage print and cut.  I may have to start drinking more tea just to have the tea bags. LOL!

Thank you for stopping by and do come back. I have more projects in mind to do. LOL! For now too many ideas and it is difficult to narrow down what I wish to do next.

My favorite part of Spring is seeing all the new life with  plants sprouting up through the ground,flowers blooming and trees dressing themselves  with a pretty dress after a long winter. What is your favorite part of Spring?

Wishing you Happy Frugal Crafting till we meet again!