Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Crafting in the Sun

Yesterday I made a very cool craft that I thought I'd share with you.  I searched on The Crafty Crow for something to do outside, and found this idea ... "Faux Sun Prints".  I love the images you can get from sun prints, but have to admit I've never tried it myself.  This idea uses acrylic paints and cotton fabric ... both of which I have plenty of!
 
The method is so simple, a young child could do it.  (For a full tutorial, click on the link above.)
 
After wetting the cotton fabric and laying it out on a table covered in a plastic sheet, we painted the cotton with diluted acrylic paints.  Then we added soft leaves (top side down) and pressed them gently into the wet fabric.  I picked leaves from bleeding hearts, columbine, ferns, clover, ginkgo and redbud.  We found the thicker leaves like geraniums and cranberry bushes wouldn't stay pressed down.



 It was hot and muggy yesterday with not much wind, so we laid the pieces out in the sun to dry. 
 
After a couple of hours, this is what was revealed when we peeled off the leaves!

 


Pretty nifty, eh!
 
 
You can throw these in the dryer for 45 minutes on high heat to set the colour, and then, apparently, you can wash them safely to soften the fabric again and the colour won't come out.  I skipped that step this time.  But I thought they would make some very pretty pillow covers with the print in the middle and a border around the side.
 
I'd love to make a long panel using this method to hang in the shady corner of my yard with lots of fern leaves along it.  I'm just not sure I have enough ferns growing yet to accomplish this.  It would also make one-of-a-kind curtain panels for my kitchen windows (which are currently void of curtains).   Possibilities are endless ;)
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Wendy



peek-a-boo, I see you in there bumblebee!


Busted!

 

 

38 comments:

  1. I really like this! You've given a non crafty person ideas!
    Jane x

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  2. oh fun-I love these fabric paints too-can make some awesome fabric pieces

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  3. Pretty nifty indeed! Love it :-)
    Have a happy day,
    xx

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  4. What a great idea! the prints are very nice, and if you decide to make cushions out these fabric they will look lovely.
    -have a wonderful day Wendy!

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    Replies
    1. I think so too, and now that things in the garden are starting to wind down, I don't feel too guilty about cutting the leaves off.

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  5. Oh that is so unique! That is a cool way to preserve the year's leaves. You could make pillow covers in seasonal colors and they would make great accent pieces in your home. I will have to look for some acrylic paint next time I am at the craft store. Hope you are well!

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    1. ... cushion covers & placemats & napkins & quilt squares ... endless possibilities. I get my acrylic paints at the dollar store (be sure to check out the tutorial for thorough instructions!)

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  6. Those are beautiful! I love crafts like this. I actually have some "sun paper" for my kids to do stuff like this. It's normally very pricy but I got a good deal and it's fun to use.

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    1. I hate spending a lot of money on crafts, and that's why I haven't done the sun prints. This version is very economical and I believe more useful! Glad you liked it ;)

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  7. What a great craft! The results are so lovely! :)

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  8. Cool and that bee photo is brilliant ... Bee xx

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  9. Replies
    1. It really was fun to do ... especially peeling off the leaves to see the silhouettes!

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  10. Dear Wendy....LOVE Mr Bumble Bee, but then I would !! Your creations look so Autumnal...Just lovely for the changing seasons...Summer hugs and kisses **** Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria! So glad you dropped in :) The bees crawl right inside those balloon flowers, and actually they tear up their tiny doorway a bit to get in! Like a bull in a china shop! The craft WOULD look good done in fall colours with maple leaves too ... thanks for the new idea!

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  11. Hi Wendy,

    That would be a lovely craft activity to do with the Kids - thanks for sharing :-) Just catching up on your garden Posts too - looking sensational at the moment! Mel x

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    1. The kids I did it with loved doing this ... especially the 'reveal'. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

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  12. A fun and easy craft perfect to make some original napkins. I like your idea of a cushion cover too.

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  13. Gosh this looks like it could be fun! I think I may have to try it as well. I could also see my husband's cub scouts loving this project. Thanks for the great idea!

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  14. Oh, that looks like great fun, I would like to try it sometime!!
    I love how your sun prints came out, so beautiful :) Thanks for sharing.

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  15. Wendy!!! I love these!!! My beans would be over the moon to make something like this!!! They are gorgeous! Isn't nature wonderful!?!?! Wishing you a lovely weekend friend....thank you so much for the link!!!

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    1. You should definitely try this with your kids Nicole :) Wouldn't they look sweet made into a decorative pillow on their beds? Have a great weekend.

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  16. What a great idea with the leafs! Love this idea :)

    -Birgitta

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    1. Thanks Birgitta ... nice to see you back in the airwaves again ;)

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  17. great idea ! and fab photo of the bee hehehe ! Gail x

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  18. I love those last two shots. Bees do squash themselves in sometimes!

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment, it's nice to know when you've stopped by! :)

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