November 28, 2012

Merriment Chain~ Day 2~ Tea Bag Ornies

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~Tea Bag Tree Ornies~
 Steep 4 bags in 1 cup of  boiling water for 3 or 4 minutes.  The herbal teas don't quite produce the color normal tea does. So I prefer using that.  I was using peppermint here because it sounded good this morning.

Let your tea bags air dry.  If you don't have the patience, you can pop them in the oven at 200 degrees for a little bit.  You just have to check them very frequently so they don't burn.

Find the graphics you want to use and re size them to 2x2.
I personally love The Graphics Fairy . I just opened them in Microsoft Word and did it that way.  Print them out on the glossy side of some freezer paper which has been cut to the dimensions of a regular piece of printer paper.  If they come out smudged, just wipe them off with a wet paper towel and try again.

Being careful not to touch the graphics, cut them to a size that you would be able to set on your tea bag.

 Now, take a wet towel and dampen the tea bag.  Don't saturate it as it will make the ink run.  Just wet enough to transfer the ink.

Lay it on the wet tea bag and with one hand hold it in place, and with the other rub a finger firmly over the entire paper. Carefully peel it off starting with a bottom corner.

Because your tea bags are dark and wet, the ink will not show up right away.  You will be able to see it more clearly as it dries. 

Now, embellish with rusty bells and pins.  I used burlap twine for my hooks. 

See, aren't they so pretty?  And someone laughed at me when I told them over the phone what I was making:)

22 comments:

Robyn ♥ said...

GET OUT!!! That is GENIUS!! I love them! Gonna have to try my very unskilled hand at these babies! So happy you shared!

Carmen Sutton said...

I understand your phone pals puzzled reply, but what an awsome idea!! Now to save all those wasted tea bags!!! Thanks for the lovely idea.

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

How cool is that!?! For a minute, I thought you were off your rocker ;)...but you ARE genius!!! They are so cute and prim!! Perfect on the little tree!--Jan

Old Red Barn said...

That's very creative! Oh your house is soooo Christmassy already, I love it!

Goedele

Jessica said...

What a great craft! And I love the idea to reuse tea bags!

prims by olde lady morgan said...

What a fun idea!! Great kids school project too I think.. I use to go in a paint with the kids class when they were little. OLM

Unknown said...

Oh Steph,
What a wonderful prim idea.
They look awesome.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Tam

BumbleBeeLane said...

Very neat idea.Love the santa one.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Christine said...

Well that's a new one for me and a great idea it is too! Very vintage!
TFS!
Christine

Cathy said...

Wow! That is just too cool! I have to try this. Thank you so much for the tutorial!

Cathy ♥

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

How clever!! Love these!

Carmen and the Primcats said...

Adorable!! Love!!! Pinning for later!!!

Carmen and the Primcats

Firecracker Kid said...

That's a stellar idea! I love them :) With the embellishments they look merry and bright.

Hugs~Carol

Cindi said...

Hi Sweet Steph! How cute are those? Nice job miss talented. I really love the look, maybe on my list for next year. Thanks for sharing, have a great day.
Be blessed,
Cindi

1890* said...

Awesome Christmas Ornies!!! & THE BEST TUTORIAL I have seen in quite some time !!! *Thank you Steph!
I am going to make these tonight!
{{HUGS}}
Merry* Merry8

Raymond Homestead said...

What a neat idea! I'll have to try it!

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Highly cool! Thanks for sharing! ~*~Lisa

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Wow, I can't believe what I just saw! Aren't you clever.
Thank you for a really unique idea.
Hugs,
Susan

The French Bear said...

That is awesome!! Thank you for sharing your creative talents!!!
Hugs,
Mags
xx

jennifer768 said...

Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!It is beyond awesome and something I just have to try.Hugs,Jen

TheCrankyCrow said...

Stinking ingenious I say.... Wowsers!! Ya know, maybe even a crow could do THIS!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! Smiles & Merry Hugs ~ Robin

Beckyjean said...

Lovin these!! Thanks for the tutorial.

Becky