Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tea for two: Art and me

So who is Art and why did he get invited to Tuesday Tea, hosted by Kimmie (other participants are listed on her sidebar)? Let's begin with the tea.

Today I'm in the studio,



drinking Red Rose English Breakfast tea, a product that was originally sold only in Canada, although beginning in the 1970s, it became readily available in supermarkets in the US. It is a "fair trade tea." Red rose tea comes in a bag and I fixed two portions. One is in my carafe, the other in a plastic container. Both were sun tea and are now quite dark. You can see the ice cubes are melting, so we had better pour that tea.

I chose this tea for its lovely red color.

I used two tea bags for the carafe, and it made it the perfect strength for my taste. I like really strong tea!

The other tea is for art. This tea is the perfect color to dye paper. You can see how it changes the color of the page, even after only one minute in the tea bath. I left the tea bags in the pitcher, too. When I'm finished dyeing the paper, I will remove the bags, allow them to dry, and remove the spent tea leaves to my compost pile. The tea bag itself has a lovely rose embossed on it. Not sure you can see it, but it will be evident once the bag has dried.

So to make the perfect tea for art, you will need some strong, dark tea. Your reward? Beside having tea with Kimmie and the girls, you will have some beautifully aged paper and tea bags to sew into your art projects.

While visiting the T gals today, be sure to sign up for Patty's 1213th post giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment, and anyone, anywhere in the world is welcome to put their name in Mr. Magpie's hat. Patty (like I) believes giving is unconditional!

Since some of you may not know much about Red Rose Tea, today's blog is Red Rose Tea's web site. You can learn the history of the tea, tea in general, and the Red Rose Tea company. And it was an easy pick because the blog is quite informative.

15 thoughtful remarks:

Karen said...

Not sure of we can get that tea heare in the UK Elizabeth. Have you tried using friut teas? They leave a gorgeous smell behind on the papre XXX

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, thanks so much for your comment on my blog post this morning - what a great way to wake up. I'm so glad you picked up a masculine vibe - the card is for a guy friend.

I enjoyed your tea post today - I have never had much luck with tea dying, but I might have to try again.

Red Rose Orange Pekoe is what you usually get when ordering "regular" tea in Canada. I have not tried their breakfast tea - looks good though!

Hope your computer is fixed - I haven't been keeping up with the posts very well lately - had a busy (but fun) weekend and got behind.

Cindy :)

~*~Patty S said...

Love how your tea today (and everyday) went full circle ... I put the dried tea leaves and coffee grounds out in the garden too.
Enjoyed the Red Rose site, those figurines are fun!
Thank you for the shout out dear Elizabeth ...
oxo

Karen said...

Hi honey, thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. The background is no secret, I just posted in a hurry this morning hahaha! I splogded some distress inks in yellow & green onto my mat, spritzed with water, then dragged card over it. I added a spritz of pewter glimmer mists to it too. Oh and there is a blob or two of white acrylic on bubble wrap haha Hope that helps, XXX

Theresa Plas said...

What a pretty carafe Elizabeth and the tea looks very refreshing! Love the look of tea stained text too! You're a great multi-tasker:)

Yvonne said...

It's great that you use the tea, tea bags and everything. I do the same. Love tea dyeing lace, papers etc. I have not tried that tea but I know I will enjoy reading about it and learning something new. It's always interesting to me. thanks for sharing your T post today. Always enjoy having tea with you.

Terri Kahrs said...

I just LOVE sun tea - I think part of the fun of it is watching it brew and darken. And leave it to you, Elizabeth, to use this to create some vintage tea-stained pages!!! Brilliant! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Unknown said...

Art is a good friend of mine too! I miss him actually :)
Wonderfully simple and beautiful technique today - I will have to look for your rose embossed tea bags - I had no idea!!!
Happy T today - and stay cool!! Kimmie

Healing Woman said...

So clever how you brought in the tea dyeing. I always get thirsty for tea when I visit you on Tuesday and then I forget to make it!

Halle said...

So cool that you use every bit for the tea...including the bag. Way to go my eco-friendly friend!

Caterina Giglio said...

lovely t post, E! and I have been dying fabric with tea, lemon zinger turns fabric a pretty pink!! just wonderful! happy t day!

Dianne said...

We have Red Rose tea here, but I've never seen the English Breakfast... hmm... Tetley has a very good British Breakfast Blend too... Happy Tea Tuesday!

Mary S. Hunt said...

multitasking this morning eh!
i would go for the iced tea too even tho it has sorta cooled up some after the storms...

Steph said...

Thank you for a really nice and informative post as always, E....love that Tea and and to use if for art...that's for sure...In fact I used to use my tea leaves for the plants as well...and Thank You for your kind thoughts....things are back to norm now.... :))

Anonymous said...

Lovely Tea, what a wonderful name will have to try some! Christen