Supplies needed:
Whatever paper, manila tags or other paper you wish to ‘age’ (cutting paper ahead to desired size will work best so you can darken the edges of each piece)
Cooled cup of tea made with 2-3 black tea teabags (strain teabags)
(if using coffee, you can wrap coffee grounds in a paper towel or coffee filter)
2-3 used teabags (strained)
Paper towels
1) Make a cup of tea using 2-3 teabags, steep tea for 10 minutes or so, allowing to cool. Protect your work surface with newspaper or other scrap paper.
2) Take your paper you want to ‘age’ and a used teabag. Wipe the teabag completely over the paper piece and then go back over the paper dabbing with the teabag to darken random areas. Work on 5 separate pieces of paper at a time as a set. This gives paper #1 time to dry slightly before you come back to it to age the edges of the paper.
3) Darken the edges by layering teastains around the ages. Work through your set of paper. Allow all to dry and then retouch as desired. It may take a bit of practice as to how much or little you need to stain your particular paper (different types of paper will absorb the tea differently), to get the effect you desire.
4) When dry, brush off any bits of tea or paper fibers, and smooth out paper. If paper is too crinkled or buckled, flatten under several heavy books overnight.
From: Miss Party
