Loose Leaf Tea? Make Your Own Tea Bags!

Loose Leaf Tea? Make Your Own Tea Bags!

 Like many of you, I LOVE loose leaf tea. However, I'm always looking for cute and creative solutions to use my tea. These D.I.Y. tea bags are super cute. I think they would make amazing gifts! Here's how you can make your own...

Supplies needed: Coffee filters, Scissors, Sewing machine, Loose tea leaves, Stapler, Embroidery thread, Paper for tags (construction paper, old book pages, etc.), Optional: Spices (pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ground ginger, etc.)

Step 1 - Cut two coffee filters into a rectangle. I typically just cut off the ridged part.

Step 2 - Stitch the filters together on three sides, leaving one of the smaller sides open.

Step 3 - Fill the teabag with the loose tea leaves. I use anywhere from 1 to 2 teaspoons, depending on the size of the bag and how strong you like your tea. (You can also add about 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite spices. Pumpkin spice is one of my favorites!)

Step 4 - Stitch the top of the tea bag closed. All four sides should be stitched now!

Step 5 - Fold down the corners, placing a 3-4in. piece of embroidery thread under one of the flaps.

Step 6 - Fold the tip of the tea bag down, and use a stapler to hold it shut. (You could also stitch this part if you wanted to.)

Step 7 - Cut paper tags and glue, stitch, or staple them to the ends of your embroidery thread.

To make your tea, let the tea bag steep in hot water for 3-5 minutes…and enjoy!

 

Little Birdie Plush

Little Birdie Plush

A little birdie told me...

Wanna know what this birdie is telling? So gather the materials and start stitching this little guy up! If you don't have a sewing machine at home, do not worry: you can easily sew everything here by hand. At the end of the project you will have a tiny, cute bird that will brighten up any shelf or computer monitor. Stitch a key chain at the top of birdie's head and voilà! You have the cutest key charm.
 

The numbers in each birdie part correspond to the amount of pieces you will have to cut. Seam allowances are included.

To make your birdie you will need:

- Felt and fabric of your choosing
- 2 medium size buttons in any color
- 2 small beads or buttons in black
- Felt scraps in black and red
- A handful of fiberfill
- Thread, needles, pins...

Place each part of the pattern on the wrong side of your fabric and felt and cut all the parts you will need. Remeber: birdie's body will be made of fabric, and the remaining parts will be made of felt.

You will begin creating your birdie's front section. Place the head and belly detail over body and stitch them together. Then, in a piece of black felt, cut two small circles. The black circles and the black bead/small button will make birdie's eyes. For the beak, cut a small square of red felt and sew it in place.
 

Sew front and back sections (wrong face up!) leaving a small gap at the bottom of the body for filling. Turn the body inside out. Sew 2 wings together (2 times), and 2 legs together (2 times). You will end up with birdie body, 2 wings and 2 legs.

Fill body with fiberfill. Place the legs at the bottom of birdie's body and sew them in place by hand, closing the gap. Using two medium size buttons, sew wings in place.

Yay! Your birdie is ready! Thanks so much, Denise  I am crazy-in-love with this project and I can't wait to make some birdies. You're the cutest!