Mini Tea (Bag) Roses

Today I wanted to finish off the week with one tea bag idea....mini Tea (bag) Roses!  These are so much fun and really easy to make once you get the hang of adding a dab of glue while twisting.

So I started off by tearing my tea bag into strips...don't worry if it's not perfect, it adds character to your roses.

Next I added a few splotches of Distress Stain (...any dye ink will work) and a couple spritzes of water.

I used some tags to soak up the excess ink....these will be great for future use to create a quick tag!

After the tea bags were dry (I used a heat tool to speed drying), fold one end over so you're starting with a smooth edge in the center of your rose.

Wrap the tail around the folded end of the tea bag to start your rose center.  Add a tiny dab of glue to the bottom of the rose (where you're pinching it together).  Twist the tea bag tail so there is a rough edge up, wrap it around the rose center and add another little dab of glue.

Continue twisting, wrapping and adding a dab of glue until you come to the end.  Add one final dab of glue to hold the tail end to the rose.  Once you get the hang of wrapping and pinching you won't have to add a dab of glue with each twist/wrap but starting out it really helps.   When I first started making them I got so frustrated because I was trying to twist & wrap the entire rose saving the glue for the end.  After a few attempts I figured out gluing as you go works MUCH better...for the rose and your sanity ;)

And here they are.... Cute huh?  I need a couple more tea bags so I can make a few more and some foliage.   I'll try to have some more by next week so I can show you how they look in a finished project.

Oh, just for size comparison....they really are MINI tea roses :)

Have a wonderful inky weekend friends!

Also, before I let you go, I wanted to chit chat about the Inks Stains Spring ATC Swap....

I hope if you're considering joining you do, I also hope that if you think you can't join it because you don't have time, never made an ATC or don't think you're good enough that you'll consider joining too.

This is a "FUN" swap...art should always be fun...

ATC's are quick, easy and since there are no restrictions 

as far as theme, thickness, media, etc. I leave it wide open for creativity.  

Do what you like...have fun, enjoy yourself.  

That's what it's all about!

Anyway, think about it...

we'd all love to have you join in the fun!