This week, for WOYWW, I've been eco printing the last of my 'get well' flowers - it seemed such a shame to just chuck them in the bin while they still had a little life left!
Here are a few of my results and some instructions if anyone is interested.
I have been printing and dyeing with foliage on a very simple level for years - I love it and I always feel so excited at the moment the prints are revealed! The last time I did it I used a brick to add weight and hold down the layers of plants. However I recently came across a slightly different method of printing, using tiles and elastic bands when I visited the beautiful Interlaced-Textile Arts blog. Here is my version of printing using Marilyn's method (she can also be found on Facebook here and I can assure you that this extremely talented lady is well worth a visit!)
Firstly, soak some thick papers or card in warm water or white vinegar.
Lay a wall tile smooth side up and place the first sheet of card/paper on it.
Build up layers of card/papers with a variety of foliage in between the sheets.
Place a second wall tile on the pile, with the smooth side down and then firmly bind together with several elastic bands.
Place in a steamer and steam for one or two hours.
I picked up a very cheap steamer with two steaming pans and my husband cut out the bottom of the top one so the tiles would fit in it, which you can see in the picture below - I have to be very careful of the sharp edge. There are other ways without vandalising a perfectly good steamer! As I mentioned before you can use a brick or heavy stones to weigh down the pile of papers in the bottom of the pan, or use a matching sized saucepan as a makeshift lid, as Marilyn did, to cover the extra height of the tiles if the steamer is too shallow.
What an interesting technique! The results are fantastic and not knowing exactly how it's going to turn out adds to the excitement :-) they are beautiful pieces, what are you going to use them for?
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Hugs, LLJ 4 xx
how cool what an interesting way to print!
ReplyDeletehappy woyww
Mrs C.xx
http://craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/woyww-april-1st-2015.html
Very interesting project and the results are just fabulous!!! What would happen, if I skip the steaming process and just press it like that? Would the colour fade?
ReplyDeleteHugs
Gabriele 20
Wow, worth the effort with the steamer huh - those ethereal prints are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou have the most wonderful ideas and unlike me who hoards the ideas in large folders, you actually take them to the table, or so it were, just another beautiful way you have created beauty~
ReplyDeleteWOW Diana what a wonderful way to use your flowers, might give this a play over the summer when i have a few choices of leaves etc. Thank you for sharing such a fab technique, can't wait to see what you create with these wonderful ethereal pieces :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteThis project is so interesting and well worth the investigation, hmm you have made my mind wander that is so unfair as I have so many UFO's to finish and I don't need another distraction but I so love what you have created. I love making my own paper and know someone else that will be interested in doing this technique, thanks for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful Easter.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 41
These are beautiful, Diana! I've never done this before but it looks so easy that I'm going to give it a try! Thanks for the link and the information on how to do this!
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting, must pop over to Marilyn's blog. I have done flower stamping using my cuttlebug but this is different. Hope you have a great easter and happy woyww, Angela x 29
ReplyDeleteVery cool process ~ one I'll have to give a go when my gardens begin to blossom since I don't do commercial flowers. Such pretty results!
ReplyDeleteOooh Diana. What a great technique. I had never thought of using flowers to print with. What a great way of getting the most out of beautiful blooms. I wonder, though, if the colour will fade with time. I had some fruit teabags which came out a lovely pink colour but the colour faded after some time. These are looking beautiful and hope to see how you use them in future projects. I think they are crying out to be sewn into.
ReplyDeleteYour eco prints are so beautiful...thank you so much for the tutorial....I have tried to do flower prints before, but didn't get good results....but I will try your method and hope the results are as lovely as yours.
ReplyDeleteSue x
Well you've done it again--I am going to have to pin your blog today because you just taught me a new technique! I always love to visit you...but today is an exception and I'm just now making my rounds. Thanks for your sweet visit. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #42
ReplyDeleteWow, what an unusual way to do a painting. Your flower prints turned out beautifully and what a lovely way to "keep" the flowers.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Easter.
Von #38
Wow!!! Diana!!! This is the most inspiring thing I have seen in years! My mind is buzzing with excitement! If id known earlier I had a houseful of get well flowers! Its a lovely way to use them. I've visited her blog and noticed another method using fabric and twigs. Did you try it? I'm definitely giving it a go asap. Thank you SO much. I think this may be the start of something new!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Diana!! These pieces are stunning - and a new technique to me (and can't wait to try!) Thank you for the link to Marilyn's blog. I look forward to seeing how you use these beautiful pieces.....I love that they come from the flowers themselves even though they appear to be watercolors! Thank you also for your visits - always appreciated! I am now home, and can't wait to dive in again. xxx Lynn
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you dropped into our PaperArtsy lives Diana. What an amazing technique! Must try this for myself! Will keep looking to see where these treasures end up! X
ReplyDeleteStunning results from a really interesting technique. thanks for the tips on how you achieved the stunning results.
ReplyDeletesandra de @35
Hi Diana .... Wow that is a really interesting technique. Much better than flower pressing..... Quicker too
ReplyDeleteJanet
WOW Diana your Eco printed pages are so wonderful to look at, what an interesting technique, I will try it when there are some flowers in my garden I can use.
ReplyDeleteAnni
WOW Diana your Eco printed pages are so wonderful to look at, what an interesting technique, I will try it when there are some flowers in my garden I can use.
ReplyDeleteAnni
Wow I've never seen that before, and they're gorgeous! You really do some amazing things. Thank you for explaining the process!
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm glad you're doing better :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for instructions for a most interesting technique, Diana. This is certainly something worth trying! Could you also print in this way on fabric? I love the results - so subtle (like all your wonderful work) and a marvellous basis for all sorts of embellishment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way of preserving your "get well" flowers. Perhaps I should do the same...
Off to visit Marilyn's site.
Shoshi
So pretty.... you are always trying (and sharing something different)
ReplyDeleteKaren x