Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Aging Dollar Store Flowers



I have this cute milk can that needed a little something but I didn't want to spend much so while visiting Dollar Tree I spied these yellow cheap silk flowers.


I thought they would be great but they needed to be toned down a bit and given a bit more of and "aged" look.

So here's a tip. Take a pan and soak some tea bags good and strong. I think I used five. I just left them for a couple of hours turning them in the tea every once in a while as I walked by.




Let them dry and arranged them in my cow can. I think they look a little richer and a little less Dollar store now.



Sharing with:

26 comments:

  1. Smart trick! And I like your springy header, btw =)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a smart idea, they look like completely different flowers, so much better!

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  3. Instant coffee will give them a rich tone too - and I think it's easier than tea.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never heard that tip for aging silk flowers, brilliant idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tea staining is great for adding age to things. I have aged a lot of fabric this way for quilting too!! Love the look!
    How is Q?
    xo Kris

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great idea. They look nice. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  7. silly question - but i have to ask - do the flowers now smell like tea? what a great idea. curious where you learned it from - a friend? old wives tale, as they call it? ( :

    ReplyDelete
  8. C'est vraiment une très bonne idée... merci pour le partage.
    Gros bisous

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tea stain is a great tip...instant coffee works great too...darker though. Never tried it on fabric flowers though...wonderful idea! Have a great day!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a great way to give silk flowers a timeless look. Your technique has softened the look in such a wonderful way.
    Thanks for sharing, Elaine.
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea for toning them down. They look great! xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think they flowers look great and I LOVE that can!.. My Ex mother in law used to dye her easter eggs that way with tea bags..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Elaine... such a good tip......I've used this on paper, too.........your flowers look good....
    Barb xxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'll have to remember this one! Pinning it now! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great idea! Love the new (oops, I mean OLD) look.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beth to answer your question, they did at first when still wet but once they dried I didn't really smell much of anything. Someone mentioned using coffee too. This is an old trick to age fabrics that those of us that love prims have been using a long time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've done that too, but just painted it on, uses less tea...

    ReplyDelete
  18. How did you ever think of doing that? Just from the pics they look less fake! great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sweet little arrangement, Elaine. How's everyone feeling in your home?

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have tea-dyed a lot of things but never thought to try "silk" flowers! What a great tip. I wanted some new florals also but didn't want to spend much. I loved your cute vignette on your front porch too, how charming and perfect for spring. We're having beautiful spring weather and Abby is home for spring break but we're all sick! Oh well at least we are all together :) Hope your little one is feeling better.
    xo, Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great tip! Love them!! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great tip! Love them! Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete