Create stunning botanical prints with stamps or fresh leaves picked from your backyard.
Did you miss out on the super-popular Blue Botanicals Page Kit? Try this new technique to create faux cyanotype designs for cards, pages or other projects. While this technique could be done with any color palette, I chose blue and white to replicate the look of the Blue Botanicals collection.
The finished size of each card below is 4.25x5.5", unless otherwise noted.
Botanical Prints Tutorial
Stamped Botanical Prints
Gather stamps that feature finely detailed line art (Petals 05.22).
Prepare your work area: Place a 12x12 Blue (Mediterranean 09.22) onto a a Club Scrap grid paper pad (or other cushioned surface.) Squeeze a small amount of white acrylic paint onto a non-stick craft sheet.
Roll a brayer through the paint and apply a light coat of color to the raised areas of the stamp.
Press the wet image onto the center of the paper.
Repeat the process until the paper is filled with images. Remember to allow the stamped images to "fall off" the edges of the paper to mimic the look of "real" printed paper.
Clean the stamps well and set the print aside to dry. TIP: I use a stamp scrubbing pad and a bit of soapy water to remove the paint.
This technique works well with ink, too! I suggest Sapphire or Blueberry CS® Hybrid ink if you're going for the "cyanotype" look.
Create a second Petals print with Blueberry Ink on White paper. Make sure to cover the entire sheet with stamped images.
Making Botanical Prints from Natural Materials
Gather a variety of leaves in a variety of shapes and sizes. I chose Clematis, Fern, Catnip and Hosta leaves.
Place the leaf on a protected work surface with the veining or more textured side facing up.
Hold the stem in place with tweezers.
Carefully swipe the ink pad onto the leaf's surface in one direction.
Repeat until the desired amount of ink has been transferred to the leaf.
Place the leaf ink-side down onto a white panel. Place an acrylic block over the leaf and press firmly to transfer the ink.
Carefully remove the block and leaf to reveal gorgeous inked details. The same leaf can be used for multiple impressions.
Repeat this process with other varieties of leaves until the paper is completely covered with images.
Overlap the impressions for a layered look.
I even added the images to an existing collage print from my stash. I just loved this look!
Botanical Print Cards
Trim the botanical prints into panels and mat with papers from your stash. I chose Nantucket Dk. Blue, Western Navy, and Scholarship Lt. Blue for the folded card base.
Add a Cottage Garden sentiment to a white panel with Blueberry Ink.
Let's take a look at the finished card.
We invite you to give this technique a try! Will you try real leaves or stamps?
We invite you to share your finished artwork on our Facebook Chat Group. Not a member of the group yet? Simply answer a few questions and we'll get your request processed in no time!
Shop the supplies needed for this technique at the handy links below:
CS Hybrid Ink Pads
$6.35
Exclusively Club Scrap®, this hybrid craft ink combines the most exceptional ingredients of both pigments and dyes for a fine, crisp, fast-drying image! Don't forget to stock up on the coordinating re-inkers. Each ink pad sold separately. Please select the… Read More
CS Hybrid Ink Pads - New Colors
$6.35
Exclusively Club Scrap®, this hybrid craft ink combines the most exceptional ingredients of both pigments and dyes for a fine, crisp, fast-drying image! Don't forget to stock up on the coordinating re-inkers! Each ink pad sold separately. Please select the… Read More
