Eco Dyeing on card and paper

As promised Eco Dyeing part 2

You will need:

Selection of plant material
Card or Watercolor Paper I used 140lb Acid Fee
Old Ceramic wall tiles
Rubber bands or string
Steamer, mine came from charity shop
White Vinegar.....you do not have to use this, experiment and see which you prefer. 

First of all I gathered my blossom

Offering from the Spring Garden

Gather Card, paper and cut to size required

I use two ceramic tiles 6 x 6 inch

as you can see these are old used ones

I dip my card or watercolor paper into white vinegar as I layer up

Begin layering up

Place first card onto tile

Laying out on card

Layout on paper

Side view of layers

Once I have all my layers on I place the other tile on top and secure with bands or you could use string

Then you are ready to steam

I use an old stainless steel steamer

The steamer lid will not fit over the tiles so I improvise by using an old Aluminum saucepan, just be careful when removing as steam escapes quickly ......I always turn off my cooker first and leave to cool.

Once your prints have cooled untie and wash any stubborn foliage off in water.... leave to dry.

A selection of prints on card that were steamed for 1 and a half hours

Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth and forget me not, you can see in this photo that some of the plant stuck fast! it has removed a little of the surface....but I like this as I feel it looks like an old plastered wall

This card was only steamed for 1 hour

I love the touch of Pink here from the Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom, Camellia petal and Rose shoot from a shop bouquet

Wild Geranium Herb Robert, Grape Hyacinth, Cherry Blossom and Poppy leaf

Wild Geranium Herb Robert and Spruce the dots of Blue are from the Grape Hyacinth

A few prints on Paper

I love the painterly quality of these prints

Cherry Blossom and Grape Hyacinth that has run.....gorgeous

Grape Hyacinth bells lose, touches of wild Geranium

I would like to say that I am only a beginner.....who is learning everyday, I have taught myself with the help of online tutorials and the kindness and patience of many facebook friends who are teachers in Eco Dyeing and Printing.

I hope you are inspired to have a go.

Lots of love for now 

Marilyn xx