by Amy Lou Stein
I love all things that you can make by hand, especially if it’s from my own backyard. Paper printing is a great introduction to the art of “Eco-Printing.” In this tutorial I will show you how to make a Botanically Printed Card using plants & paper.
I love all things that you can make by hand, especially if it’s from my own backyard. Paper printing is a great introduction to the art of “Eco-Printing.” In this tutorial I will show you how to make a Botanically Printed Card using plants & paper.
Supplies:
Watercolor or printmaking paper (I buy big sheets and cut them down to size)
Large steamer pot
Plant materials
Clips
Resist for clamping (Ceramic tiles, mason jar lids, dog food lids, cut plywood, etc.)
Watercolor or printmaking paper (I buy big sheets and cut them down to size)
Large steamer pot
Plant materials
Clips
Resist for clamping (Ceramic tiles, mason jar lids, dog food lids, cut plywood, etc.)
Cut your paper down to any size or shape you like.
Lay your plant material flat against the paper. Plants & flowers in bloom in my garden right now are Lupine, Rose (see picture), Pansies, Maple and Tickseed. Experiment with what is available to you, be sure to make a proper identification and avoid poisonous plants.
Arrange the plants on the paper then flatten the paper and plants between the resists. Carefully clamp them together. I used cut plywood as resist and clamped it with notebook binders.
Place your bundle in the steamer over the pot and have the heat high enough to create a steam bath for your bundle. Steam the bundle for 2-3 hours. Check the water level often and replenish as needed to keep a nice steam going. Let the bundle cool completely before you open it.
Place your bundle in the steamer over the pot and have the heat high enough to create a steam bath for your bundle. Steam the bundle for 2-3 hours. Check the water level often and replenish as needed to keep a nice steam going. Let the bundle cool completely before you open it.
Once the paper is cooled off, unclamp, remove the resists and carefully pull the leaves & petals off the paper.
The paper will still be wet and can tear so go slowly. Don’t worry—even if the plant matter sticks, it will flake off once the paper is dry. If you do get a tear, stitch it with thread and add some unexpected beauty & style to your card.
Paper will curl when drying. Place a few heavy books on top of your paper as it dries.
The paper will still be wet and can tear so go slowly. Don’t worry—even if the plant matter sticks, it will flake off once the paper is dry. If you do get a tear, stitch it with thread and add some unexpected beauty & style to your card.
Paper will curl when drying. Place a few heavy books on top of your paper as it dries.
Now you can write a lovely note letting someone know how much you like them!
Book suggestions:
ECO-COLOUR by India Flint (all of her books are a must-have)
HAND BOOK OF NATURAL PLANT DYES by Sasha Duerr
ECO-Ebook (free)
Book suggestions:
ECO-COLOUR by India Flint (all of her books are a must-have)
HAND BOOK OF NATURAL PLANT DYES by Sasha Duerr
ECO-Ebook (free)
Amy Lou is teaching “Backyard Bundles” this Sunday, June 7th at Herbstalk. Amy is a dyer, knitter, spinner, crocheter, and gardener. She loves watching ideas grow into something be it a sweater or a sunflower. If you live in the Boston Area check out MAKE OUT!, a monthly gathering of folks who love to knit, crochet, spin, draw, bead, quilt, stitch or whatever you want to make. Her website is Amyloustein.com.
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