Monday, March 30, 2020

T Stands For Tea and Bags


It seems many of us are either under lock down or stay at home orders.  Some of you have documented the number of days you have been in isolation.  Unfortunately, my county order and my state order are different.  I can assure you, that after I was at the store on March 16, I have not been anywhere except on my own property by myself, regardless what the other orders are.  I also don't intend to leave until the last person in the U.S. has been cleared of this virus.  I intend to live through this mess, because I assure you it scares me! 

Having said that, today I'm at my dining room table

sharing how I used the sun tea I made last Tuesday, along with a lovely card I received while on "stay at home" orders.

Only my dear friend RO! would think to send me a St. Patrick's Day card.  Not only do I LOVE it, 

it's absolutely perfect for T this Tuesday, too.  Thank you, dear thoughtful RO!  And because RO! is so passionate about abuse, here is the Abuse Hotline for those of you who know someone who might need it: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or https://www.thehotline.org/.  If you know someone in an abusive situation, please offer them a lifeline, or try to arrange face time with them daily.  If not, call them daily.  Allow them to text you if their situation becomes dire, so you can get someone to get them out of their current situation while this stay at home order is in effect.

I have this fabric I tried to ice dye one year, then painted it using a couple of acrylic craft paints.  Today is the third incarnation, where I'm trying to dye it using green tea.  I was hoping to get some mottling, which is why, after the fabric was thoroughly saturated with tea, I removed parts of it from the tea bath.

I had intended to use the bags on fabric, too, but decided to tea dye some pages in case I wanted to use them in my collages.  I like how already these tea bags are coloring the paper.   Once the tea is dry, I will deconstruct the bags, removing the tea leaves and spreading the leaves around the herbs I brought inside to overwinter.  The dried bags will be used in my art, as will the tags and string.  Nothing goes to waste at my house.

It's now time for you to share your drink related post this week.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, magazine images, recipes, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, 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 at any time, and don't even have to be taken this year!

As a gentle reminder, please be thinking about your Second on the 2nd post.  I will use Mr. Linky on April 2, which means the links to T Tuesday will only be good through 11:59 p.m. my time on Wednesday, April 1.  Please post your T Tuesday link prior to that.

Please don't forget to join me for 22 days of recycling starting on 1 April.

EDIT: to update something Erika suggested, I have NO idea if there is food delivery in my area. I'm just going to use everything I have. I always have a ton of staples, so it's time to clear the cupboards and start over again. I may have to fix a few meals I'm not fond of, but I have access to recipes and will make do with what I have. Believe me, I won't starve, and neither will the boys. They came first, along with my coffee.

30 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You got a lovely card from Ro, so kind. Enjoy the tea! I think we will all be at home for several weeks to come. I don't like it - who does? But we need to get rid of this virus. Have fun playing with your tea bags! Happy T Day, Valerie

Eileen Bergen said...

What a lovely gift from Ro! I'm still allowed to go out for essentials and do so about every 8 or 9 days. Hubby stays home because he has more risk factors than I. One thing I've learned: I could be a hermit; but not a happy one.

So I'm especially happy to see you for T today! Eileen xx

Barbara said...

You’ve given me the urge to do tea bag art again! Good luck with using them to dye and other arty stuff!

CJ Kennedy said...

Lovely card. I've only tea dyed paper never fabric so it will be interesting to see how your experiment turns out. Stay safe.

Linda Kunsman said...

a delightful card! I've tea dyed papers but not fabric-yet;) We can still go to grocery stores, drugstores, and gas stations but only when necessary and I am trying to be as careful as I can. Was at Wegman's (I think they only have stores in the northeast states) earlier today for a few basics- and I have to say that I think they are doing the best of any other chain in our area to keep calm, to keep clean, and to keep everyone at safe distances.
Happy T day!

Mia said...

What a lovely card you received, Elizabeth! I have tried to dye pages using tea too, and maybe I will do it again. I also dye with coffee! But never thought to spread the leaves on the herbs and I never thought to keep the tags and string on my art. Thank you for this idea and a BIG thank you for the remind of Second on the 2nd!!! Hugs, my friend.

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

That's a fun card! We have been on lock down for almost three weeks and now it has been extended to May 1. I may lose my mind....and need something stronger than tea!

My name is Erika. said...

You're lucky you must be able to get food delivery in your area. I am guessing that since you haven't gone out. I live too rural for that, although there are towns not too far away that can get it. As the number of cases go up, I am getting more nervous to visit the store, but my husband can't go being immune suppressed so I guess that leaves me. I haven't made tea dyes paper for quite awhile, but you have inspired me. One of these days, when I get some time, I think I shall. Hope you have a great T day, being safe at home is a good day for sure. Have a great T day. Hugs-Erika

Kate Yetter said...

Love the idea of your tea stained paper. It will be beautiful on your collages. And I love that nothing goes to waste...me too!
I hope that you are able to get a lot done while you are at home on house arrest. It could be a while, but as long as you have food, you don't need a whole lot more than books and craft supplies. Especially now that the warmer weather is coming.

Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Cloudia said...

We are on a domestic adventure for the best reasons! And will emerge to build a better world together

Sandra Cox said...

Aww, that was so nice of Ro. I'm sure that brightened your day.
The tea dyed fabric intrigues me.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Rita said...

Nice card/1 Getting mail when you're isolated is even more exciting. You are really keeping busy. Stay safe. :)

aussie aNNie said...

Love the card you received and nice when isolated as well...Chai green tea is delish...enjoy. Great post.xx

Helen said...

We are on lockdown here but will need to go out from time to time for food as the delivery slots are constantly taken up, so no choice, I certainly don't have enough to see me through totally without. they are taking abut up to 6 months here before things get back to "normal" .... take care, stay safe and happy crafting!

Iris Flavia said...

Such a beautiful card you got, and a yummy one, too.
I hope in these times of isolation no one really needs the number you gave.
My Nieces ripped each other´s heads nearly off the other day and had to stay in their own rooms for the day. By golly! The big Niece was allowed to talk to me, though, it was scary. She is 9 years old and sounds like an adult. They grow up too fast these days. Off to make some tea, we even had snow yesterday!

Meggymay said...

It was a lovely card you received and your teabag results are going to be so useful in your art projects. You got me thinking to use my tea bags again rather than putting them in the garden compost heap.
You are lucky to have a store of staples to use, I think this situation will get more of us using what we have already.
I found a jar of pickled onions in the back of my cupboard the other day, no idea what they could be used for other than to go with a chunk of cheese, but they won't get wasted. The freezer is going to be used here and I am lucky that our sons can leave us some essential supplies.
Look after yourself and the boys who must be the best of company just now.
Stay safe and well and happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx

J said...

Hi Elizabeth, that’s a lovely card and a great use for tea bags! Another great piece of, green, artwork, you’ve really been on a roll, I will be watching out for the next challenge,,A crafty friend of mine has been dying paper for her vintage junk journal, maybe I will give that a try,
Pleased to hear you are keeping safe, We were just discussing not eating out or even having coffee for a very long time after we are let out,
I had to go shopping as we only buy a few things per day as we’ve been goi g away so much that we’ve kept the freezer empty and the lockdown came so quick we didn’t have time to stock up, now that’s me for quite. A few weeks.
Take care , Jan x

Lisca said...

How kind of Ro to send you a st Patricks card. The green tea is so appropriate for that day as green seems to be the colour for st Patricks day. (I suppose it's because Ireland is called the emerald isle)
I love what you do with the tea bags. I hope you will show us the fabric when it's 'done'.
It's good you share the number for the abuse charity. I won't share it as it I am in Europe but I do think it is a very good cause. My first marriage was abusive, and in those days there was no help available.
Take care, stay safe, stay home,
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Let's Art Journal said...

What fabulous happy mail! I love the card and how thoughtful to have included the green tea - perfect 😁. Using the teabags to stain fabric and paper is a wonderful idea too. Wishing you a Happy T Day, stay safe and well! Hugs, Jo x

RO said...

With all the tea I have at home AND cards, I may as well share it with my best buds, and glad it came in handy. I like that idea of using tea as art, and it's cool the way you can use all parts of something and make it useful. That's a trait I wish I had. I've had to head to Food Lion once or twice, and everyone did maintain the required social distance, so any stranger I would have struck a totally useless conversation was safe(lol) My heart goes out to those who have been affected by this illness, and I thank you so much for helping to shine the light on domestic violence that so many are suffering through. I wish you well my good friend.

Karen said...

Stay well ~ Keep drinking tea & being creative. ~ Blessings ~

Halle said...

Lovely cards and tea treat. Hope you are doing well in the midst of this.
Happy T day!

DVArtist said...

Everything is so pretty and creative. I too worry about women and kids in an abusive home and not being able to get out. We don't have home delivery here but we have grocery pick up. The store shops for you and you go pick it up at a designated time. However, the website is so overwhelmed I couldn't get on it. Stay safe and Elbow hugs.

craftytrog said...

I'm really missing my walks, but staying in because of my health problems. However I will have to attend hospital for blood tests, which is a little scary. I'm finding plenty to keep me occupied indoors, must do some tea dyed papers, you've inspired me.
Take care,
Alison xx

Caty said...

Happy T-day Elizabeth !! what a lovely card from Ro, I like the idea of ​​sticking two tea bags inside. The fabric immersed in tea is going to be precious, I'm sure. How many possibilities are you going to have when you´ll use those old book sheets with tea.
I wish you a nice afternoon, stay home and safe,
Big hugs, Caty

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great post Elizabeth. I always enjoy seeing what craft projects you're working on. And I especially like the ones that use tea to dye / stain things. I liked the update you added to your post also.

I'm very late to the party this week. I probably won't get to visit everyone else to leave comments until tomorrow.

Happy T Day and stay healthy and safe!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I'm pleased to know you have lots of food and I am guessing that includes some frozen items! We are having some problems with online shopping but for the moment have alternate weeks delivery for the next month. My youngest , who lives closest, will pick up anything we run out of. Its times like these when I wish we had a larger storage space in our kitchen.
What a lovely card from Ro and two extra drinks too!
I shall look forward to seeing those papers next month ...ooh! thats tomorrow!!

You are staying safe , so, Happy T Day! Chrisxx

Jeanie said...

You and I are on the same "Virus Plan." Stay home -- as long as it takes. But look at what you're doing! I think you'll not run out of a single thing to do! Can't wait to see some of the projects you do with this.

Divers and Sundry said...

I failed at T Stands for Tuesday this week. Who knows why? I tend to be a homebody anyway, but this weather has me wanting to go see more flowers blooming at the park :( so I guess I'm moping a bit.

I'm like you, though, and am taking all this very seriously! I'm going to the grocery only as needed, but I'll certainly miss fresh fruit. And I'm not going anywhere else. The numbers are scary, aren't they! And we got such a late start. Our governor is urging us to stay at home but not ordering it. Because Individual Liberty! *sigh* Our city and county mayors are stricter, but right across our city limit to the south is Mississippi where they're trusting people to do the right thing :( That's going well (sarcastic voice). And you know where those people go to the hospital? That's right: Memphis.

Happy Belated T Tuesday :)

Words and Pictures said...

I look forward to seeing the results of your multi-layered dyed fabric... hope the mottling works out. I like the green tea labels - there's something really cheerful about them. I bet that book page is going to look great, and come in very useful over the next month too.
Alison x