Make a Book from Tea Bags: Tea Bag Art Journal

Рет қаралды 11,252

Күн бұрын

Today I have a tutorial on how to make a tiny book from tea bags and then turn it into an art journal. It is a lot of video so just think of it as a mini-online class: feel free to put it in "Watch Later" and dip in when you can.
Tea bags are fun and surprisingly versatile. In this video I show:
• how to prepare your tea bags so that they are more stiff and able to stand up to different media and collage;
• how to combine paper napkins and tissue paper to your tea bags to create a completely charming paper "leather" that you can use a book cover;
• how to bind your pages with three simple stitches;
• ideas for decorating your pages and turning it into an art journal.
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To see my online art courses:
kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific...
To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandP...
If you are interested in buying original paper and vintage ephemera bundles full of cards, paper, handwritten pieces, lace, and more I sell them here: bookandpaperarts.com/french-e...
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Here are links to two previous videos on HOW TO USE TEA BAGS AS A MIXED MEDIA ART SUPPLY:
• How to Turn a Tea Bag ...
• Painting on Tea Bags: ...

Пікірлер: 104

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

To see my online art courses: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections To see printable scans of vintage paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts If you are interested in buying original paper and vintage ephemera bundles full of cards, paper, handwritten pieces, lace, and more I sell them here: bookandpaperarts.com/french-ephemera-book-arts-boxes/

@sheilabennett3289 3 сағат бұрын

Just found your channel 🎉🎉🎉 Yay!!! Your little books are adorable. Thank you for sharing this tutorial. Your instructions are very clear. I've been saving tea bags for years, and now I have confidence to use them ❤❤❤

@karenlulay Жыл бұрын

This is so cute. I love small or miniture projects. Thanks.

@kristinev7671 Жыл бұрын

Never thought I’d be eager for floral napkins today or any day😆. Great instructions. Your videos are wonderful, inspiring us to dare to give it a try, using what we’ve got, at whatever skill level we are at. Thank you❣️

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Kristine. Re napkins, my art stash is a healthy mixture of original ephemera from the 18th and 19th centuries - and stuff I grab at PoundLand and the kids section of the discount craft store and paper napkins are the best. I have some with picnic themes that have little insects that are so cute, and birds, and you name it. I also have some with peacocks that cost 50cents in a sale. Go get 'em! Thank you for touching base with your kind words. It means a lot to know that the message of being bold and using what we have to make wherever and however we are is getting out there. 🌷🌼🌻 Kelly

@joditraub6827 Ай бұрын

I really like your botanical one ! Thanks for sharing, lots of info 👏🏻enjoy your cuppa!

@BookandPaperArts Ай бұрын

Hi Jodi, thanks bunches! I do like my tea although quite a few people who commented on this video said that they did not 😮but that they were able to acquire tea bags by asking a local coffee shop to save them. I do call that resourceful. And you?

@marymole5531 3 ай бұрын

Hi, Kelli, I just found today! I'm so glad! I love your style. You will help me greatly, I'm just starting. I'm watching this video at this time. Thank you, so much.

@BookandPaperArts 3 ай бұрын

Hello and welcome, Mary. I hope you are having a creative week and make gorgeous pages! Kelly

@sunnie2474 Жыл бұрын

I love tea bags and find them fairly sturdy, as they are designed to be wet. In the US we can get "family size" which are about half again larger. Love your videos!

@karenmilligan3590 Жыл бұрын

Is family size the same size as bags for pitchers of ice tea?

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Sunnie. They are weirdly resilient and I use them to mend altered book spines all the time. We don't have the larger size here (ice tea drinking not being what it is in the states 😉) but I buy loose make-your-own filters for holding loose tea and they come in some big sizes. Happy making!

@robertakeirn1870 Жыл бұрын

Love this video! “You have permission to go wild. Go big.” I just love the whole concept and “coming right off the page… and I don’t care.” Priceless advice in any format! 🖤

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thank you so, Robert. In my teaching I find that the first lesson is not perspective or colour values or fill-in-the-blank-here so much as it is teaching the right and the duty to be creatively bold, especially when we are talking about using almost free supplies. Do it wrong, go ahead, and have a blast! Hope you are having a creative weekend.🦋🦋Kelly

@sandraterwilliger4879 2 ай бұрын

Soooooo love your tiny book!!! Your work is amazing!❣️🤩

@BookandPaperArts 2 ай бұрын

Why thank you, Sandra. I do love these little books out of leftover stuff and tea bags and then it is fun to fill them. Hope you make great teensy pages!

@acknims Жыл бұрын

You made my day! My sister is collecting teabags for me for a long time now……. This idea of you will make a ‘thank you’ present for her!

@shirleyberky2040 8 ай бұрын

I am learning so much. Thanks for sharing you knowledge. What fun!!

@BookandPaperArts 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, Shirley. That is truly nice to hear. I hope you try it and make adorable books and cool, tiny journals. Kelly

@gwynnedjackson3871 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! So cool! I have been collecting tea bags and have enough to try this !

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Gwynne. Keep me posted. I'd love to hear how it turns out. Also, if you get short of tea bags you can always ask friends or even a local coffee shop if they will save some for you. Happy making! Kelly

@barrylytle5118 Жыл бұрын

Love using tea bags This is wonderful! Thank you! 💙🌿💙

@kimsinspiredlife 5 ай бұрын

Fabulous project! Can’t wait to make one soon⭐️

@jeraldbaxter3532 19 күн бұрын

Beautiful! Thank you!😊

@sandybe11 Жыл бұрын

These are wonderful! I really like the uneven pages..I’m inspired to make one for a birthday “card.”

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Sandy. The birthday card idea is great. I think this would make a cool gift, maybe blank with a little box or envelope of paper scraps and a glue stick. A lot of fun, creative promise for a couple of bucks and I know that is the kind of present I love getting. Keep me posted! Kelly

@dassodia Жыл бұрын

These are fabulous little art journals! That first piece of gauze you showed that had pooled glue actually struck me as looking like messy Venetian lace. Pretty cool.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hello there and thanks for that vote of confidence. I reckon if we don't tell people it isn't supposed to be like that, they might wonder how we achieved such a cool effect. One of my mottoes for art and for life. Hope you have a creative weekend! Kelly

@jayneelinor 11 ай бұрын

What a sweet little book! Been using tea bags in books bit never as the book. I can see this with lace and other fabric pages and slow stitching. The kettle is on! Thanks for sharing.

@BookandPaperArts 11 ай бұрын

Hi Jane. I had so much fun making little books for this tutorial that I made a bunch for the heck of it. As you say, you can add so many different kinds of texture and elements but they are only tea bags and there is no need to be precious or overplan, just make gorgeous, whimsical pages. I hope you are having a creative weekend! Kelly

@jayanthidissanayaka9121 Жыл бұрын

Hi, with a lot of patience you demonstrate the tea bags journal....that is wonderful.,..i do having some teabag painting cute journals.,..my grand kids like them😅of course ❤and working on that tiny canvases are very much interest ❤ thank you for the video ❤❤❤

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hello there and thank you! It is interesting how sometimes working in small spaces makes our imagination work in a more resourceful way. I sometimes make altered books in a big format but by far the small ones have more oomph. Maybe it is the same for the tea bags. Hope you make fun tea bag pages! Kelly

@susanmayer9791 Жыл бұрын

I'm inspired! This afternoon I'm having tea with a friend...I will be collecting all the teabags we use! Great video, Kelly!❤

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Susan, thank you for letting me know. This makes me happy. Now go get 'em. (If the bags are still damp you can always iron them!) Kelly

@susanmayer9791 Жыл бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts Lol Will do!

@lynnboyd33 Жыл бұрын

Kelly, what a joy to seer you up here AND a much longer vid then usual! Just loved watching, and listening to you describe the ins and outs of your darling little T Bag books! Those tiny little pieces of paper, are so amazingly sturdy! I also loved, how you made the crispy cheese cloth material! I'd seen you do that a long time ago and I think I'd used straight M/Podge, and it blocked too many of the holes up. But I'm sure that mixing the M/P with water and drying them on a dry spot will do the trick! Thank you! Have a blast in France next week, you always do. Can't wait to see the traveling vids, and also peek at what you bring back home.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Lynn. I actually should have made this two twenty-minute videos but hindsight is you know what. Thank you for the vote of confidence, though! If I sewed I might add some slow stitching to the stiffened gauze. How about you? I hope you have a creative week, my dear. Kelly

@NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen Жыл бұрын

Oh how adorable! I love how you use every little bit! Waste not, want not.

@cinziabeley7059 Жыл бұрын

I love this tutorial, thanks so much! I'm new to Altered Books and love working with teabags.

@kimberlycook5860 Жыл бұрын

Really great journals Kelly!

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thanks bunches, Kimberly!

@heleneebenstein9120 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful project, Kelly. I love the look and your decorations are wonderful. Now I have to save up my teabags.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thanks bunches, Helene. Now, you can save up or you can go mad and just put 20 tea bags in a pot and pour off the tea (or save it for ice tea!) and jumpstart your stash. Happy making!

@carolyndaughton3373 10 ай бұрын

So beautiful!

@BookandPaperArts 10 ай бұрын

Thanks bunches, Carolyn!

@RoseWildsmith Жыл бұрын

Gorgeous thank you for sharing ❤

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Rose, it is my real pleasure. 🌷🌷🌼🌼🌻🌻

@ruthvanalstine8296 2 ай бұрын

Love this! Thank you

@lisalisaandthecoolgem929 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the inspiration! A few months back I had my sister and husband save their tea bags for me. So I have them here, just waiting to be put into service! So excited! Have a wonderful, safe trip to France! 🤗🥰🤗

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Lisa. Nothing like a stash. I talked to someone who was not a tea drinker who simply asked their local coffee shop to save him some and they did! Hope you make some fun books and other stuff. I actually use tea bags for mending rips in pages and if you glue them onto text it looks like parchment and is very cool. Happy making!

@lisalisaandthecoolgem929 Жыл бұрын

Oh, awesome idea on the coffee shop! Plenty of those around… I’ve used them in my junk journals and collaging… thanks for all the great ideas! Keeps the creative juices flowing!🥰☺️

@RustToStardust Жыл бұрын

Kelly, these are so cool! Thank you for sharing. You have inspired me to make a teabag book!

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Simone. Let me know how it turns out. Now go get 'em! Kelly

@RustToStardust Жыл бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts You da best lady!!! 😂😍

@veronicastewart1112 18 күн бұрын

I have worked with teabags do a limited extent, but I'm going to go full on and make a few of these. I have a ton of teeny tiny scraps.

@BookandPaperArts 12 күн бұрын

Hi Veronica, I am currently putting together a video on another tea bag technique so stay tuned! 🫖🫖

@theresapalmer7892 Жыл бұрын

I have lots of tea bags, I need to find some floral napkins. I might gesso some tea bags and stamp them and paint them.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Theresa, keep your eyes peeled for napkins. Once you start looking for them you see them all over the place. I have some with cute insects and some with peacocks that are crazy wild and fun. Happy hunting!

@bettyaldama7759 3 ай бұрын

Just subscribed,love the tea bags you made! I’m going to try it! Tfs!

@BookandPaperArts 3 ай бұрын

Hello, thank you, and welcome, Betty. Have a creative week!

@waynepage54 Жыл бұрын

GREAT JOB !!! jenna

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thank you so, Jenna. 🌷🌷🌼🌼🌻🌻

@debsmith7050 Жыл бұрын

Kelly does way cool stuff 😊 Safe travels; have fun and good luck finding treasures

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Deb. I am a lucky woman and a blessed one but dang, travel is not what it used to be and I am gearing myself up for the ordeal. After that, however, treasure awaits, to say nothing of pastry! Kelly

@centibastelt2023 Жыл бұрын

What charmin little books you made! I do love them both. Plus, you've just inspired me to make myself a plain little notebook. I will need one of those next week and couldn't find some to buy (I will use regular paper because I want to write in it, but you know - this easy binding technique got me!) Thanks for showing! 🌻

@alexandraalmeida3661 Жыл бұрын

The other day I bought black tea (which I don’t drink, I only drink herbal tea) to dye fabric. I kept the bags, which I dried and took of the leaves. They look amazing, because they dried in the sun, but they’ve been sitting there waiting for something.... This is such a great idea, since I love messy art journaling. I always leave things hanging out of the page or pieces of paper sticking out, so I think I may try this. Thanks for sharing, Kelly 💙🧡❤️💛💗💚💜♥️🖤

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Alexandra. What good timing! I actually use the larger size bags in my work - I buy them online for holding loose tea. Also, tea bags are a good way to mend weak or torn places in journals and altered books. They add to the patina and make the page stronger. Let me know if you make a little journal! Kelly

@alexandraalmeida3661 Жыл бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts I will, Kelly, thank you ❤️

@rosem3577 Жыл бұрын

So fun!! I’ve been wanting to make a tea bag journal for a while. Thank you for All the tips!

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Rose, that's terrific! Now go get 'em and make a gorgeous little book. Or a bunch of them. 😺😺Kelly

@deborahrymer1007 Жыл бұрын

I love it! Now I will have to start saving tea bags!!! Thank you Kelly x

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Yes, or go nuts and just steep 20 bags or so and use it for ice tea or (gasp) pour it away just this once so that you jumpstart your stash! Keep me posted. Kelly

@susanhudson3299 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Kelly - loved this video!

@carolyndaughton3373 10 ай бұрын

Excellent tutorial! I'm so happy I found your channel. I've liked and subscribed. Thank you for sharing your talent.

@BookandPaperArts 10 ай бұрын

Hello and welcome, Carolyn. This message truly makes me happy. Thanks for touching base.🌻🌼🌷Kelly

@kellemojelle9336 10 ай бұрын

Hack: used dryer sheets work great in place of gauze and cheesecloth

@BookandPaperArts 10 ай бұрын

Hello there, Kelle. Thanks for the idea. I haven't tried it but I could how that porous paper would be a good alternative. Can you tea dye it? 🤔Kelly

@kellemojelle9336 10 ай бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts you absolutely can tea dye and several other types of aging methods.

@juliegreenan5289 4 ай бұрын

Kelly, thanks for this great video. Did you do one for making bowls, as showed us at the end? Dying to try!

@BookandPaperArts 4 ай бұрын

Hi Julie, I am soooo glad you asked. I did not do it as I ended up being sick of looking at tea bags 😺 but now it is back in the pipeline because these tea bag bowls are CUTE. Maybe in mid-April. Kelly

@veronicastewart1112 18 күн бұрын

You could spray starch or sizing on the cheesecloth, rather than trying to paint it with stiffener.

@BookandPaperArts 12 күн бұрын

Hi Veronica. Thanks for the reminder and comparing notes. Yes, spray starch is way easier and works a treat. 🌷🌻🌼

@susanbelair89 Ай бұрын

Just began saving tea bags and have discovered they are mostly round. I’m going to try a tiny book anyway! Love your instructions and style. Thanks for the “robust’ encouragement ❤

@BookandPaperArts Ай бұрын

Hi Susan. Yes, try making a book with round tea bags. Also, think about asking friends or even a local coffee shop to save tea bags for you and you will be overrun with them in a couple of days!

@maryannscheblein-dawson9202 5 ай бұрын

What if you used either coffee water or tea water as the water part with your PVC glue? It would give you a distressed stiffener?

@BookandPaperArts 5 ай бұрын

Hi Mary Ann. That is a great idea and it has been on my list of things to try. Maybe I can add it to an upcoming video. 🌻🌼🌷Kelly

@katiehanrahan5293 Жыл бұрын

Kelly, have you tried using matt medium instead of diluted PVA to paint your teabags? Seems it might be a good option.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Katie, good question. I use matte medium as my glue of choice and I did try prepping tea bags with a coat and the result was a very stiff bag indeed. It makes a nice little canvas if you want to paint on them, as well. For my own style of books I prefer the floppier ones but using straight matte medium is definitely an option for a different kind of page.

@katiehanrahan5293 Жыл бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts I thought about this later, after I’d sent the comment. I’m thinking the PVA mix would be better because it is more flexible that matte medium. Matte medium would be good for a stiffer cover perhaps. Going to start saving my teabags and make a few of these!

@karenmilligan3590 Жыл бұрын

Kelly, thank you for the prep instructions. Is it feasible to add anything to the gauze pages. I like plain but.... would simple hand stitching/embroidery or flat crystals/paper buttons work or is embellishment too heavy?

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Karen. You know, if I did slow stitching that is what I would add with some heavier thread or even thin twine. I can also imagine buttons being added or adding some ribbon or lace. Layers! Keep me posted if you try it. 😺😺Kelly

@karenmilligan3590 Жыл бұрын

I'll have to watch again. I remember the gauze papers as being left as is. Thanks.

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

@@karenmilligan3590 You are quite right. They are plain in the video. I was just brainstorming some embellishing ideas. 😁😁

@crisanados1 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your Video. I have a question. What do you think about use a sewing machine to sew the book, in these tiny books? (Sorry for my English).

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi Cristina. Yes, if you look on Pinterest under Tea Bag Books I think you will find some with sewing. They are beautiful. Please tell me how it works and what you make! 🌷🌼🌻Kelly

@crisanados1 Жыл бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts thank you Kelly. I Will look no Pinterest and I will tell you about 😉

@charlottebeseke5596 Жыл бұрын

YOU SAID NAPKINS ARE EASY TO FIND. LIKE WHERE? I CAN'T FIND THEM EXCEPT ON PLACES LIKE ETSY AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE!

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Hi there, Charlotte. Perhaps there are places to look. I find them in my grocery store in the section where they sell stuff for picnics and birthday parties and cookouts and the like. Card shops, stationery and office supply stores are options. But maybe try your local big box store such as a Kroger, Target, WalMart, etc, and check out the sections that sell things for picnics and parties. They are under $5 for a pack with ten or 20 napkins. I hope you find some good ones!

@susiescraftroomandstudio Жыл бұрын

Great ideas and great video. Blessings and Hugs 🤗 NRN = no reply necessary

@BookandPaperArts Жыл бұрын

Not necessary but thank you all the same, Susie. I always appreciate hearing !

@lorrainedewaal3838 10 ай бұрын

I’m new to your channel. Have you ever used coffee filters?

@BookandPaperArts 10 ай бұрын

Hello and welcome, Lorraine, and please forgive my late reply - I am traveling. I have used coffee filters but not in awhile. Once when I was also traveling I noticed our morning coffee filters were drying in gorgeous patterns so I rinsed and dried them every day then trimmed them and tried to make them into a little book. The results were not great. 😁How about you? Kelly

@lorrainedewaal3838 10 ай бұрын

@@BookandPaperArts I am experimenting with them now. They are a bit sturdier than the tea bag, especially if I use Mod Podge. I have even crinkled them up and they look great.