Ultimate Handmade Tea Bag Shape Card Tutorial for Tea Lovers

Simple themes often spark the most creative ideas, and that’s exactly what happened with my latest card. Inspired by a special tea day back in December, I decided to use the lovely “Tea Time” digital stamp set from Isabel Cristina.

The sentiment “Hug in a Cup” gave me the perfect idea: why not design a card in the shape of a tea bag? It’s a thoughtful touch, especially with the option to include a real tea bag, sending someone a warm and cosy moment!

If you love tea or enjoy creating unique cards, you’ll want to follow this step-by-step guide. I’ll walk you through every detail of making your own handmade tea bag-shaped card, from digital stamping and distress ink blending to colouring with alcohol markers—and more!

Ready to get started? Let’s jump in and create your own tea bag-shaped card for tea lovers!

Making your tea bag shape card is a fun process, and it all starts with the right components.

Below, you’ll find the dimensions for each part of the card, along with a list of materials to bring this project to life. Don’t worry if you don’t have the exact products—alternatives are provided to help you get creative with what you have!

• Base card: 23 cm x 8.5 cm (folded in half to create the card base).
• Patterned paper for the front and inside: 11.5 cm x 8.5 cm.
• Pink patterned paper for the front: 5.5 cm x 8.5 cm.
• Pink patterned paper for the inside: 10.5 cm x 5.5 cm
• Flap for the tea bag shape: 5.5 cm x 2.5 cm.
• Square label: 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm.
• Circle die cuts: Large circle from kraft paper and smaller circle from white paper.

• Digital stamp set “Tea Time” by Isabel Cristina: This set is ideal for the tea cup and the sentiment “Hug in a Cup.” If you don’t have this set, any tea-themed digital stamp or hand-drawn design will do just fine.
• Sentiment “Hug in a Cup” from the “Tea Time” set by Isabel Cristina: This sentiment adds a personal touch. If you don’t have this specific sentiment, you can use cosy, warm phrases like “Warm Wishes” or “A Hug in Every Sip.”
• Patterned paper from the “Pretty Papers Block Winter Dreams” by Marianne Design: This paper adds texture and interest to the card. If you don’t have this paper, any soft, cosy patterned paper will do—think of patterns that evoke warmth.
• Edge die from Aveccreative: This die helps create a decorative edge. If you don’t have an edge die, you can easily use a border punch or decorative scissors for a similar effect.
• Flower dies from Aveccreative: These dies add delicate, feminine embellishments. If you don’t have flower dies, you can use any flower-themed die cuts or even stickers for a similar effect.
• Alcohol markers from Decotimecrafts: Used to colour the digital stamp image. If you don’t have alcohol markers, you can switch to coloured pencils, watercolours, or any medium you feel comfortable with.
• Distress ink (Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo): These inks add depth to the edges of the paper and the tea bag flap. If you don’t have these colours, any distress ink or ink pad that gives an aged effect (like brown or sepia tones) will work just as well.
• Blending brush from Nellie Snellen: This brush allows for the smooth blending of ink. If you don’t have a blending brush, a makeup sponge or another blending tool can provide a similar soft finish.
• Foam tape: This adds dimension to the layered elements. If foam tape is not available, you can stack scraps of paper to achieve the desired effect.
• White gel pen: Used for adding fine details and highlights. If you don’t have a white gel pen, a white ink pen or even a regular pen could serve as a substitute.
• White pearls: These are used for embellishment to create texture. You can replace them with adhesive gems, sequins, or any small embellishments you have in your collection.
• Baker’s twine: This adds a rustic touch and ties the tea bag tag. If you don’t have baker’s twine, any thin twine or ribbon can provide a similar rustic charm.
• Scissors, glue, and double-sided tape: These are essential for assembling the card. If you don’t have a specific brand of adhesive, any craft glue or double-sided tape will work.

Now that you’ve got your dimensions and materials, you’re ready to dive into the fun part! Let’s move on to the step-by-step tutorial, where I’ll guide you through each step to create your very own tea bag shape card, bringing everything together beautifully!

Ready to make your very own handmade tea bag-shaped card for tea lovers? I’ll walk you through each step of the process, from start to finish.

Along the way, you’ll find helpful tips and techniques to make this project fun and easy to achieve. We’ll cover everything, from stamping and colouring with alcohol markers to adding those perfect finishing touches with distress ink blending.

Gather your materials, and let’s get started on creating this unique tea bag card!

Let’s start by making the base of your tea bag-shaped card, which will set the stage for the rest of your design. This step is key to getting that perfect tea bag shape, and with a few simple folds and measurements, you’ll be ready to add some fun embellishments!

• White cardstock (23 cm x 8.5 cm)
• Scoring board or ruler
• Bone folder or scoring tool
• Pencil

1. Cut a piece of white cardstock to 23 cm by 8.5 cm. This will form the base of your tea bag card.
2. Score the cardstock at 11.5 cm in the middle, then fold it in half. Use your bone folder to smooth out the fold and make it crisp and neat.

1. On the fold, mark a dot at 1.5 cm; this is where your diagonal lines will intersect.  
2. On each side of the fold, mark dots at 2.5 cm. These will help guide your diagonal folds.
3. Use a ruler to connect the dots, creating two diagonal lines extending from both sides of the fold line.  

1. Align the paper on your scoring board and place the marked dots along the tool.  
2. Score along the diagonal lines with your bone folder to create sharp, clean folds that define the tea bag shape.

Once all the diagonal lines are scored, gently fold the paper inward to form the tea bag shape. The edges should fold neatly into a triangle, giving you that classic tea bag look.

With the base done, you’re all set to add fun and creative elements to complete your tea bag card!

Now that the base of your tea bag card is done, it’s time to add some beautiful patterned papers to bring it to life. In this step, you’ll cut and distress the papers, adding depth and dimension with Distress Inks. These little details will give your card a polished, personalized look that’s perfect for any tea lover!

• Blue patterned paper with white dots (11.5 cm x 8.5 cm)
• Pretty Papers Bloc Winter Dreams from Marianne Design (pink paper with ice flowers)
• Distress Inks: Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo
• Bone folder or scoring tool
• Pencil
• Scissors or paper trimmer
• Adhesive (e.g., glue or double-sided tape)

1. Cut a piece of blue patterned paper (with white dots) to 11.5 cm by 8.5 cm. This will cover the entire front of your tea bag card.
2. Lay the patterned paper face down, then place your card base on top.
3. Mark the corners of the card base on the paper and cut them off to create a perfectly sized layer for the front.

1. To give the paper a vintage, distressed look, grab your Distress Inks—Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo.
2. Using a blending tool or sponge, apply Walnut Stain to the edges of the paper to darken them, adding depth to the design.
3. Then, use Vintage Photo to blend the colour into the centre of the paper. The combination of these two colours adding a soft floral touch that complements the tea theme.

1. Cut a piece of pink patterned paper with ice flowers from the Pretty Papers Bloc Winter Dreams collection to 5.5 cm by 8.5 cm. You can also use any patterned paper you prefer.
2. This piece will go across the middle of the card, adding a soft floral touch that complements the tea theme.

1. Cut a piece of the same blue-patterned paper used for the front of the card to 5.5 cm by 2.5 cm. This will form the flap for the top of the tea bag.
2. On one side of the 5.5 cm length, mark two dots at 1.6 cm from each edge. Draw diagonal lines from these dots to the outer points to form a triangle.
3. Cut off the triangular corners, then distress the edges with Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo to match the other layers.
4. Attach the flap to the top of the background paper.

With all the paper layers prepared and distressed, your card is coming together beautifully. The next step will add the finishing touches to make your tea bag card truly unique!

Now that the base and layers of your tea bag card are done, it’s time to focus on the heart of the design, the charming stamped image!

In this step, you’ll print and colour the digital stamp, adding fun textures and highlights to bring it to life.

• Digital stamp from the ‘Tea Time’ set by Isabel Cristina
• DCP (Digital Color Printing) paper
• Alcohol markers (Decotimecrafts)
• Stencil with a diamond pattern (or similar)
• White gel pen
• Texture paste
• Spatula (for applying texture paste)
• Scissors

Print the digital stamp at a height of 5.5 cm, ensuring it fits nicely within the circles you’ve cut for your tea bag card. Use DCP paper, as it works well with alcohol markers, allowing smooth blending and crisp lines.

Colour the stamped image using your Decotimecrafts alcohol markers. Here are the colour combinations I used:

• The bear: Sand (107), Rose Beige (7), Burnt Sienna (91)
• The cup: Baby Boy (144), Phthalo Blue (183), Midi Sky (190), Dark Sky (191)
• The tongue: Wine Red (01)
• The nose: Black (120)
• Inner ears: Blush (136)

Take your time layering and blending the markers for a smooth, seamless finish.

Add texture to the cup using a stencil with a diamond pattern. Use a spatula to apply a small amount of texture paste through the stencil, pressing it onto the cup. This creates a subtle, elegant design that enhances the look.

Let the texture paste dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Once the texture is dry, grab your white gel pen and add delicate highlights to both the bear and the cup. These small details will make the image pop and add dimension to your design.

After colouring and highlighting, carefully cut out the image along the edges.

With the stamped image beautifully coloured and textured, your tea bag card is coming together nicely! In the next step, you’ll assemble the pieces and add the finishing touches to complete the design.

Now that all the key elements are ready, it’s time to assemble the layers of the card and add dimension to make everything stand out.  

This step focuses on layering, using foam tape for extra lift, and making sure each piece fits together perfectly to create a beautiful, cohesive design. Let’s get started!

• Aveccreative wave edge die
• Two circle dies (one larger and one smaller)
• White card stock
• Kraft card stock
• Distress Ink (Walnut Stain)
• Foam tape
• Glue
• Scissors

To enhance the pink patterned paper, add a touch of whimsy with a wave border. Die-cut two pieces of white card stock using the Aveccreative wave edge die.

Next, glue the wave borders behind the pink patterned paper, making sure the top part of the wave extends beyond the edge for a playful effect.

For the background of the digital stamp, you’ll need two circles, one large and one small.

1. Start by die-cutting a circle from kraft card stock using the larger die to create contrast with the rest of the design.
2. Then, use the smaller circle die to cut a circle from white card stock, which you’ll layer on top of the kraft circle.
3. Apply Distress Ink in Walnut Stain to the edge of the kraft circle to add depth and create a darker border, helping it stand out when layered with the white circle.

Start by adhering to the patterned paper that covers the entire card base. Make sure it’s centred and securely attached.

Next, position the pink patterned paper with the wave edges slightly below the centre of the card to create a focal point. Place the two circles on top of the pink paper, slightly overlapping them.

Now that the base and background are in place, it’s time to add the stamped image of the bear in the teacup. To give it more dimension, apply foam tape to the back.

Carefully position the image in the centre of the circles, making sure it aligns with the layers underneath.

By following these steps, you’ll create a card with rich layers and depth, making the adorable tea bag design really pop! In the next step, you’ll finish off the card with some final touches.

Now, it’s time to add the little details that will bring your tea bag-shaped card to life! From the label to the flowers and clip embellishments, these final touches will add charm and personality to your creation. Let’s give your card some extra flair!

• Small square die
• Pink patterned paper (for the heart punch)
• White gel pen
• Foam tape
• Bakers twine
• Blue card stock (for the clip and flowers)
• Flower dies
• White pearls
• “Hug in a Cup” sentiment (printed small)
• White card stock for sentiment layers
• Scissors
• Glue

1. Use a small square die to cut a label from the same patterned paper used for the front of the card.
2. Distress the edges of the label with Distress Inks in Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo to match the card’s colour scheme.
3. Add a stitched line around the label with a white gel pen for a handmade touch.
4. Punch a small heart from the pink patterned paper and adhere it to the centre of the label.
5. Layer the label onto three pieces of white cardstock to add dimension, ensuring it’s not as thick as the stamped image.
6. Attach the label slightly askew to the left side of the teacup, making sure it’s securely positioned.

1. Die-cut a clip shape from blue cardstock to place on the flap of the tea bag, adding a cute and functional touch.
2. Since I missed the chance to staple the flap earlier, I used the die-cut clip to mimic a staple and added it to the flap for a similar effect.
3. Cut a piece of baker’s twine long enough to reach from the label to the flap.

1. Die-cut a large flower from blue cardstock and place it at the top-right corner inside the circle, just beside the teacup.
2. Die-cut a smaller flower and place it near the flap for a balanced, finished look.
3. On the lower part of the tea bag, glue down some half flowers for added dimension.
4. Finish the flowers by adhering the white pearls to the centre of each one for a polished, elegant appearance.

1. Print the sentiment “Hug in a Cup” in a smaller size and cut it out neatly.
2. Layer the sentiment onto three small strips of white cardstock to raise it slightly, ensuring it doesn’t stand taller than the foam-taped image.
3. Adhere the sentiment to the card, placing it where it complements the other elements without overwhelming them.

With these final touches, you’ve completed your tea bag-shaped card! The flowers, label, clip, and sentiment come together to create a delightful gift for any tea lover. Ready for the last step? Let’s wrap up your creation!

Now that the front of the card is complete, it’s time to finish the inside! In this step, we’ll add the final details to make the card functional and ready to send. We’ll create a pocket to hold the tea bag, ensuring your gift feels as cosy and thoughtful as the exterior. Let’s get started!

• Pink patterned paper (for the inside pocket)
• Distress Inks (Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo)
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Scoring tool or scoring board
• Pencil

1. Cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 11.5 cm by 8.5 cm to cover the entire inside of the card.
2. Trim the top corners by marking dots inward from each edge, then draw a pencil line and cut along the marked lines to create angled corners.
3. Distress the edges of the paper with Distress Inks (Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo) to match the rest of the card.
4. Adhere the patterned paper to the inside of the card, making sure it covers the entire surface.

1. Cut a piece of pink patterned paper measuring 5.5 cm by 10.5 cm to form the pocket for the tea bag.
2. Score the sides and bottom of the paper 1 cm from the edges to create folds.
3. Fold the edges sharply to shape the pocket.
4. Apply double-sided tape to the scored edges and secure the pocket to the inside of the card.
5. Slip a tea bag into the pocket, making sure it fits snugly.

And just like that, your tea bag-shaped card is ready to be sent! This thoughtful, creative design will bring a smile to any tea lover’s face. What a wonderful way to send a warm hug in the form of a tea bag!

Now that you’ve seen how to create this cosy, tea bag-shaped card, I hope you feel inspired to try it yourself.

Don’t forget to make it your own by experimenting with different colours and textures, or adding a special personal touch inside. The beauty of crafting is that every card can be as unique as the person you’re sending it to!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to follow it for more card-making ideas, tips, and tricks. Let’s keep exploring the endless possibilities of creativity together! Stay tuned for more exciting projects coming your way.

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If you’re looking for more creative ideas for your next crafting project, here are a few posts you might enjoy:

You’re Tearriffic Card | My Besties Shop

Affiliate Links: The products mentioned in this post are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep my blog running, so I truly appreciate your support!

Unfortunately this digital stamp set is no longer available in the Isabel Cristina shop. But if you do like her stamps, here is the link to her etsy shop to shop.

Distress Ink Walnut Stain from Ranger

Click Here

Shop at Hobbyshoponline

Distress Ink Vintage Photo from Ranger

Click Here

Shop at Hobbyshoponline

White gel pen 08

Shop at Hobbyshoponline

• Winter Dreams Paper Block from Marianne Design
• Edge die from Aveccreative
• Flower dies from Aveccreative
• Alcohol markers from Decotimecrafts
• Pearls (brand unknown)
• Bakers Twine (brand unknown).
• Patterned paper blue with white dots (brand unknown).

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