Monday, April 6, 2020

T Stands For Tea Bags


I'd like to begin by thanking a few people who don't get enough credit.  First are the doctors, nurses, staff, and janitors who keep our hospitals going, often without the proper personal protection equipment (PPEs) they need, while working hours that are nearly impossible to imagine.

I want to thank hospital administrators for reaching out and trying to buy PPEs and ventilators to keep their employees safe and their patients alive.

Next are the police and fire fighters/EMS who, with every call they answer, put themselves at risk of catching the virus.

I want to thank the construction workers and Army Corp of Engineers who are working overtime to set up temporary field hospitals to take the overflow of virus patients.

I want to thank the nurses and staff who run the aged care and nursing home facilities.  They have been particularly hard hit and are often overlooked, even though they also don't have enough protective equipment to do their jobs.

I want to thank the grocery and essential store workers who stock the shelves with our food, clean and sanitize carts, and come in close contact with both persons and their dirty money.

I want to thank the truck drivers who put in long hours delivering food and toilet paper to us, while working without the sanitizer and protective gear they need.

We can't forget to thank the postal carriers who deliver our mail and the drivers who bring us packages.

I want to thank the WHO for prioritizing, responding, and deploying aid to countries during this world wide crisis.

I want to thank the researchers who are tirelessly working in private labs and on university campuses to find the causes and cure for this virus.

And finally, I want to thank all my friends, followers, and readers of this blog who have stuck by me even though AT&T, my internet provider has abandoned me.

My heart goes out to all those who must be separated from their families due to their jobs that put them in a high risk category for the virus.  My heart further goes out to all those who are self quarantining so they don't infect other family members.

Please remember, we are all in this together in the age of corona virus.

Today for T Tuesday, we are in my craft room.  While we are sharing our drink related posts, I am also sharing this at Art Journal Journey where Valerie, whose theme is Geometric Shapes, is our host.

My tea bags I brewed last week and used to dye paper and fabric are now dry.

I've tried to deconstruct these cheap tea bags before and they tear and rip before I can get them apart to use in art.  This time I decided to outsmart the tea bags and cut them in the back.

Now the bags are empty and my lavender plant has accepted the tea leaves, it's play time.  Try as I might, I couldn't untangle three of the bags from their tags and strings.  Macrame was never one of my favorite crafts.

I decided to use these as tiny canvases for my stamps.  This one was sent to me by Valerie and it is one of my favorite stamps.  I use it a lot. 

The other two are red rubber unmounted collages 

and were made here in Wichita by Joanie at Mrs. O'Leary's, a mixed media/rubber stamp/scrapbook store.  She specializes in Tim Holtz ephemera and specialty items for collage, assemblages, journals, and altered books.

I decided to cut a used file folder to the size of a page in my Stress Free altered book.

I chose these for my background.  The red was nearly gone, so I thought I could empty the bottle.  Little did I realize how much was actually left in that tiny bottle.  I still have loads left.

Here is the finished journal page.

As I was drawing the "O"s, I didn't realize the glue wasn't dry under the tea bag, and I laid my hand on top of the tea bag.  I did the same when I made the triangles.  As a result, I squished the glue into the top side of the tea bag where I'd stamped the image.  Live and learn, I guess.

I used green metallic pen around the strings, not realizing when I lifted and placed the page in a vertical position to photograph it, the strings would shift and rotate.  Another lesson learned.  Wow, I'm batting zero for two about now.

I used green metallic gel pen on the bottom two shapes, then black to make the squares.  I used gold metallic to make the final circles.  Sadly they don't really show well in the photo.  Looks like that's zero for three!! 

I added a green dot to some of the words on these labels using my metallic green gel pen.

For this page, I began by stamping three empty tea bags, then adding them to the page made from a used file folder.

This is Day 7 of 22, where I used three empty tea bags in an art piece with a substrate consisting of a used file folder.

We had a hard freeze Saturday night, so I cut a few of my tulips to brighten the room and spare them from possibly freezing. 

Now it's your turn.  By now you probably know the "rules," but in case you don't, please show something drink related. It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, tea cups, coffee mugs, a tea or coffee service, postcards, books, magazines, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, ATCs, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday, and not just this year.




Thanks again for being so understanding about my internet issues.

37 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Yes, we need to be thankful for all those who work tirelessly to help others, without them we would all be lost. You made a fun page today in spite of little mishaps which happen more often than we would like when crafting. Thanks for linking again to my theme, much appreciated. It's bed time here, so I'm off now. Valerie

Karen said...

Terrific page and beautiful tulips! I loved all your thankfulness to the hard working people on the front lines ~ Well said. You have a nice assortment of collage stamps too ~ I mentioned your recycling in my latest post! I also was going to link to Thursday's art page, but I'm too late ~ I thought I had till weds. ~ Oh well! I'll be posting here tomorrow ~

Eileen Bergen said...

Beautiful words, Elizabeth. I did weekly errands today wearing my PPEs. I did see a lot of emergency and essential workers and vehicles.

Thankfully they all had the essential protective gear. My heart goes out to those who have and are still putting themselves at risk to help the rest of us.

May this plague end soon.

I'm impressed at how you made the three tangled tea bags work on this great page. I love the stamps you used on them.

I'm especially grateful for our weekly T-parties at this time. Thank you, Elizabeth. Eileen xx

Barbara said...

Lovely post, beautifully written thanks from all of us.
I enjoyed your fun with tea bags, it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Great results!

pearshapedcrafting said...

What lovely words of Thanks Elizabeth, you are echoing the thoughts of many of us! We have so many to be thankful for!
I love this page - well done I say!
Pleased you rescued the tulips from the frost too!
Take care, hugs, Chrisx
Ps i will e-mail you in the morningx

My name is Erika. said...

The contrast between the red background and the green tea tags is amazing. Boy both colors pop next to the other. And I love those little geometric shapes too. It is also perfect with those added T bags for T day. I hope yours is wonderful. And it is so true about all those people on the front lines right now. Society would fall apart without them all-always but especially right now. Keep washing those hands- Hugs-Erika

Linda Kunsman said...

What a beautiful, loving letter of gratitude Elizabeth. I could never have said it as poignantly as you have here,so, thank you!
I sometimes have trouble with opening teabags too;) Love your teabag page and stamping!!!
Glad you grabbed some of those beautiful tulips to enjoy indoors. We still have just daffodils and forsythia yet...
happy T day!

Kate Yetter said...

Your tea bag page is lovely. I always love seeing stamped teabags in art.

What gorgeous tulips! I am glad that you rescued them from the frost. That glass vase is the perfect spot for them.

Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Rita said...

So many people to thank! They are our heroes.
A tea bag win again. :)

Susan Kane said...

Your creation with tea bags inspired me to make a cuppa. Your works are so amazing.

CJ Kennedy said...

Well said. How fun to use the teabags as a canvas. I never would have though of that. And they remind me of my garden kites. Your tulips are just gorgeous. I'm hoping the one I found among the daffodils will bloom, too. Take care.

Powdered Toast Man said...

I want to thank the men and women who pick the tea leaves to make this post possible.

kathyinozarks said...

I love your tea bag art-those are so fun to create with-great page.
gorgeous bouquet of flowers-we got cold but no hard freeze-wow that was cold for you. Happy t hugs Kathy

Helen said...

We all share your thanks for the workers fighting this virus Elizabeth. Well said! Love your vase of tulips, glad you can enjoy them at your table! Fab bright page you have created.

Iris Flavia said...

Here we have this on TV regularly. All the hosts giving thanks to what you just did.
Yes, this is the right thing to do - though not in every ad-break!

Yes, same here, no sanitizer, masks....

Cool idea with the tea bags! Oh, I remember Macrame. My Mum was... not so impressed but hung the darn things up and put plants in them.

That vase and flowers are beautiful!!!

Meggymay said...

A super post and well said with the thanks you gave to the folk who care for us all, in every country they are remarkable people and deserve our thanks.
I love the page you created with the teabags. I save some, dried them and made a right mess getting the leaves out, I wondered if it was the quality of the paper. The stamps looked good as well and it was a lovely shade of red to use for the background.
The vase of tulips is beautiful, good that you saved them from the frost.
Happy T day wishes.
Stay safe and well.
Yvonne xx

Lisca said...

It's good to give credit to those who merit it and in these days we have to rely on those people to 'save humanity' so to speak. Having been a nurse I know how hard they are working and how in moments like these, they don't think of their own safety. So I too take my hat off to all those people you mentioned.
Your teabag art turned out really well. The butterfly stamp is gorgeous. The whole thing pulled together really well.
I just love your tulips! (And it's nice to spot your rocking horses. You could make a game out of it: How many rocking horses can you spot?)
I had to smile at your remark about my drinks cabinet. Yes, I'm a snoop too. I just love to see how other people live their daily life. So I had a really good look at your living room too. Haha. Very nice indeed.
Happy T-Day, and I'm glad your Internet played along long enough for you to post your blog. Now let's hope you get the chance to do some comments more.
Take care,
Lisca

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great blog post Elizabeth. You gave well deserved credit to the many people who deserve it, but who often get overlooked. One thing that I hope comes out of this will be society stops the "hero worship" of celebrities and athletes and focuses on the people in society who truly make a positive difference every day. I like your art journal page, and how you told us the steps you did to make it. Happy T-Day!

Sami said...

I agree with have to be thankful for all those wonderful people who keep the wheels turning to make life easier for the rest of us.
Interesting concept to stamp the tea bag. I also spread tea leaves on my house plants.
The tulips are quite pretty.
Keep well Elizabeth :)

J said...

Hi Elizabeth, I think we are all thankful for the people who are taking care of us in one way or another, they all deserve a medal for bravery going out there every day with the virus spreading rapidly.
I love your Artwork, love the bright pink. I had to smile when you said you squished the glue out, that's me, I always touch something that isn't dry and end up with glue where it shouldn't be!!!
We have only had 30 people, that's 30 too many but compared to what we were expecting it's quite low as we have lots of weekend visitors from Madrid and other towns visit normally. Steve just read on the local newspaper, they have road blocks everywhere to stop holidaymakers coming for Easter, all exits from the motorways and all roads going to the beaches, well done to them all.

Stay safe Elizabeth and Happy T Day
Jan x

Jeanie said...

I like this, Elizabeth! Someone sent me a tea bag art and posted about this a few weeks ago and I loved it. I love yours, too. I've used the papers as backdrop but never with the stamping or painting on them. It's really pretty that way. And the lavender plant got a bonus! Thanks for the great idea. If there's anything I have around here, it's tea!

froebelsternchen said...

A wonderful page and such beautiful tulips! I like to read about all your thankfulness to this hard working people who do so much for us!

Happy T-Day Elizabeth!

Divers and Sundry said...

I like how you used the tea bags. They make the perfect shape and size for your stamps.

Yes, we're all in this together, and though I regret not being able to do more I'm in and staying in and that's something.

What beautiful tulips! I'm sure they're brightening your day :) (We're expecting a high of 76 F today, though one of my Facebook memories from this date years ago was me noting a temperature in the 30s and frost!

Happy T Tuesday!

Darla said...

It was nice to take a moment and be reminded of all those we need to thank at this time. We are sheltering in place and have been since March 8.

I like your tea bag page a lot. I have used the paper in mixed media but never stamped on a whole bag. I'll bet the texture of the page is terrific when you see it in person.

Hope you server issues are solved soon

Let's Art Journal said...

I applaud you and sending my heartfelt thanks to all who are supporting and helping us through these difficult times too! Your page is beautiful, I love how you recycled and stamped the teabags 😀. Those tulips are gorgeous too, so glad you saved them from the frost. Sending you Happy T Day wishes! Stay safe and well! Hugs, Jo x

Linda Kunsman said...

Dear Elizabeth, I edited in my blog post the YT link to the mask tutorial I used;)

Sandra Cox said...

Woot. Woot. I echo your sentiments to our heroes.
Those tulips are beautiful.
Love the stenciled tea bags.
Elbow bump. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Birgit said...

A great way to use old tea bags. Love the pinkish background. You are always inventive using different things around the house. I think it’s great that you gave a shout out to all these front line workers, they deserve so much

craftytrog said...

Hear hear! All those people are doing amazing jobs, and some are putting their lives on the line! They are like soldiers going to war!
You know how I love using teabags! Your page looks amazing Elizabeth ❤️
Alison xx

DVArtist said...

Absolutely thanks to all of those that keep us going.I love what you have done with the tea bags and other materials. You have nice looking home too. Love the flowers.

aussie aNNie said...

Absolutely gorgeous post, love your use of teabags and all of your goods , ...Thanks for your congrats on my DT, [have another one coming up, I need to be kept so busy, stops me from worrying] xx

Halle said...

Wonderful post. Sorry I missed T day. I wasn't sure my post on Tuesday really fit so I didn't link up.

Cindy McMath said...

Well you just gave me a big idea. Lovely reuse of teabags (which I go through like a house on fire). Mine go into the compost, not the landfill, but still - why not use them for art!

Caty said...

How beautiful are your words Elizabeth, they have moved me. How many valuable people are helping in these difficult times, my thanks to everyone too, from here. Hopefully this nightmare ends soon, and we can resume our lives, although, surely, it will be different, something will have changed within us, and, I hope it will be for better.
I loved your Art journal page, the pink background is a very good choice, and I love the tea bags, it's great! Those stamps are really wonderful. And your tulips so beautiful and happy. I´m sorry for visiting so late dear friend.
I hope you are well, take good care of yourself. I send you lots of hugs,
Caty

Neet said...

A lovely heart warming post Elizabeth where you mention so many key workers that we have to give thanks to. It is good to see they are being recognised now by so many and companies are offering various things to so many of the nhs workers.
Lovely butterfly stamps, both the perfect size to fit on a teabag. I had to smile when you mentioned how you do not particularly like untangling string - I have the same with chains! Sometimes I get so frustrated! However you managed to make it work for you and produce a lovely page for your journal.
Take care of you and yours (not sure if they are outdoor cats)
Hugs, Neet xxx

nwilliams6 said...

Lovely post about all the wonderful people out there keeping us going. We owe them big! I also love your tea bag art - super cool idea and your stamps are wonderful. Great recycling too.

The picture of your flowers is lovely too - such a fun looking room!

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