Turmeric Sun Prints for Notecards

Hello there!

The weather is still warm where I live.

It's more like summer than fall but I can deal with it.

I thought I could use these last 

sunny days to make something fun.

I want to make some sun print note cards.

Things we will need:

watercolor paper or white cardstock

package of blank notecards

1 TBSP. Turmeric, from your spice rack

4 TBSP. Isopropyl Alcohol

a mixing cup or bowl or glass jar

coffee filter or paper towel

1 to 2'' wide paint brush

Flat or dried leaves and flowers

a pair of gloves to keep from staining hands

optional- glass from an old frame

to hold everything in place. 

a flat tray or cookie sheet with sides

 1 Tbsp. Baking Soda mixed with1 cup water 

I found the paper and notecards at the Dollar Tree.

I cut my paper 4'' by 5'' to fit the notecards.

I also cut a couple bookmarks and 2'' squares 

to make small tags.

I put the filter over the jar, add the turmeric then poured

the alcohol over the top and let it slowly strain through the filter-

I used the brush to paint the paper.

Leave a border or paint to the edge.

After the paper is painted, let it fully dry in

 a DARK AREA, AWAY FROM THE LIGHT.

Pick your leaves and flowers.

Your flowers and leaves don't have to be completely dried

they just need to be flat so your print comes out sharp.

It's best to use a heavy book!

You can use glass from an old picture frame to hold down

the foliage and paper.

Lay your leaves or flowers on top of the painted area.

Take your paper outside in full sun.

Leave outside in full sun for 3-4 hours.

Check on your prints-

Remove the leaves and flowers.

Submerge the prints in the water mixed with Baking Soda

to neutralize the process.

This will help to prevent fading.

Lay out the prints to dry.

The prints will turn from a golden yellow to a dark orange color.

Glue to notecards or frame to hang!

I added the name of the flower in pencil.

These will be lovely for fall-

maybe a Thanksgiving card for a loved one

I plan to make more for the next Holiday Boutique.

The tiny ones will be gift tags.

I stamped the back-

I just made these leather earrings

 for a friend and I 'll use  one of the tags!

Thank you for your visit-

It's so nice to have you here.

It was fun to give it a try-

Let me know if you tried to make some sun prints.

Enjoy this beautiful time of the year!

xo Lisa S

Here I showed how I made a flower press 

from a vintage Tennis Racket cover. 

Herb Garden Clippings into Wreath

Hello, 

Our spring garden has been growing some beautiful herbs. 

 As summer approaches, it's time to do some trimming.

I don't like to waste any-

Let's make a kitchen wreath !

I have this wreath form with attached 

wire that can be pinched closed.

 

I started with small bundles of Rosemary.

Attaching to the form by dividing the circle into thirds

going in the same direction.

Then adding more bundles to cover the stems

I used some floral wire to secure and shape the wreath.

I cut small bundles of Rosemary, Thyme,

Oregano, Mint and Sage.

The herbs look and smell so nice.

Over time it will dry-

 I hung it high for a picture.

I will leave it low so I can use the herbs in my cooking.

after it looks shabby I can reuse

 the wreath form again and again.

 

Thanks for visiting!

xo Lisa S

Something special in the Garden -

.....That I never noticed before-

See the Garlic that is about to flower 

When the flowers burst open-

they leave the outer cover 

on the ground

I had not noticed these before now.

It resembles a beautiful delicate, paper-like

white dried flower-

I gathered a few and brought them inside

                                                                No, they don't smell like garlic.

They made me smile !

Have a wonderful day.

xo Lisa S

Tea Cup Bird Feeder and Gift Tag

 

Hi there,

Let's spend some time in the garden.

I wanted  to make a little bird feeder.

You have seen these Teacup feeders many times before...I know....

I want to fill it a little differently.

We will start with a tea cup or mug-

This is a great way to use a chipped or mismatched cup.

It's easy to find tea cups here and there.

I used GOOP to adhere the cup to the saucer.

I purchased a package of Wild Bird Suet at Dollar Tree.

I plan to fill my tea cup and see what happens next.

The ingredients are corn, rendered beef suet, oats,

roasted peanuts and soy oil.

 

It's soft and moist like chunky peanut butter or brown sugar.

You can make your own with coconut oil and bird seed.

Birds love bird seed but I find it very messy !

I'm going to try the suet, I want to see if it lasts a little longer

than the seed.

I broke it up in a bowl, then repacked it into the tea cup.

Looked around the garden and found a stick.

Press the stick into lower base of cup for a perch.

I used heavy duty wire to hang the feeder.

Here is the feeder hanging in the tree.

Another option would be ...

just the teacup without a saucer.

I used a scrap of chain to hang in my lemon tree.

I was able to fill 2 tea cups (3/4cup full ) with 1 -10 oz. package of suet.

Here are some teacups to print for gift tags !

 

Oh my goodness!

 I wanted to post before Mother's day and I was waiting to get

the perfect picture of birds visiting my tea cup feeder

and life got busy... but happy busy.

Have a blessed week!

xo Lisa S

Lavender Hearts

 Hello,

Thanks for visiting!

Let me show you how I used some lavender 

from my garden.

They were picked in the summer and now the buds are dry.

I found a large cardboard box and cut out some 

heart shapes- about 4'' tall.

I had some lavender colored ribbon,

white glue and a tool to poke a hole for the ribbon.

You will need some dry lavender, hopefully you have some

or can get some from a friend.

A piece of parchment paper will be helpful.

I store my lavender in an antique oak seed box.

These are easy and fun to make.

Cover the heart shape with glue and cover with buds,

press to hold in place, and then glue the edges and

cover the sides.

Lay on parchment paper.

It's a bit sticky if you are impatient like I am.

Allow to dry.

Poke a hole for the ribbon hanger.

After the glue dried, I checked them over

to make sure everything was covered completely.

You can always go back with a little glue and add more buds.

Here's a close-up

I have these small bags and clear mailing seals

 that I bought at the DOLLAR TREE

I had some bags just about the right size.

I used scissors to cut a 'V' at the bottom of the bag.

Then pulled the ribbon through the hole.

You can still smell the fragrant lavender buds.

I am hoping this will help with

less mess when handled at the craft show.

I sealed the bag with the circle dots.

I like to have a large variety of items on my table

in a wide range of prices.

They can be picked up by the bag or the ribbon.

Small items at the craft show always sell out 

and that makes me happy!

They can be used as stocking stuffers,

 tree ornaments or package toppers.

Here is a Lavender Wreath, some  Embroidered Lavender Sachet, 

and How to pick lavender for Stamped Muslin Bags.

Just recently, how to make Sugar and Lavender Scrub.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Your visit is always appreciated.

xo Lisa S