{"id":31559,"date":"2018-10-24T11:10:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/?p=31559"},"modified":"2020-03-30T13:59:23","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T11:59:23","slug":"sun-printing-team-up-with-mother-nature-for-this-easy-diy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/sun-printing-team-up-with-mother-nature-for-this-easy-diy\/","title":{"rendered":"Sun Printing: Team Up with Mother Nature for this Easy DIY"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just in time for the sunshine \u2013 here\u2019s a brilliant way to take advantage of these sunny days. If you\u2019re\u00a0anything like me and find real struggle in sitting still, this sun printing DIY project will slow you right\u00a0down. When you\u2019re done, you\u2019ll have a homemade eco bread bag to show for your afternoon in the\u00a0garden.<\/p>\n

Did you know<\/strong><\/em>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Keeping your bread in a cotton bread bag can actually keep it fresher for longer\u00a0because the cotton is breathable while stopping the bread from drying out. Even more reason to go\u00a0with natural fibre bread bags.<\/p>\n

If you have little ones in the house, you can stick with the galactic theme and whip up an easy batch\u00a0of Moon Sand<\/a> to keep them stimulated while you team up with the for this easy\u00a0DIY project.<\/p>\n

WHAT EXACTLY IS SUN PRINTING?<\/h1>\n

Sun printing is the process of \u2018exposing\u2019 a pattern onto cloth by using a staining liquid and a catalyst.\u00a0In this easy DIY I\u2019m sun printing with plants, upcycled paintbrush packaging, instant coffee mix and\u00a0soda ash (this natural crystalline salt is used to soften water and alkalise swimming pools).<\/p>\n

WHAT YOU\u2019LL NEED TO SUN PRINT AN ECO-BREAD BAG:<\/h1>\n
    \n
  • 4 Tbsp instant coffee<\/a> powder (you can use your recycled grinds, just make sure the solution\u00a0is strong)<\/li>\n
  • 3 tsp soda ash<\/li>\n
  • Cloth to print on*<\/li>\n
  • Spray bottle<\/li>\n
  • Sturdy flora from the garden (delicate fronds don\u2019t work as well) or letter cutouts**<\/li>\n
  • Panel of glass or small stones<\/li>\n
  • Oven tray<\/li>\n
  • Gloves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    *Different cloths to use<\/strong>:<\/em>
    \nMuslin cloth<\/strong> \u2013 If you want to make your own item. It\u2019s a cotton fibre so it responds well to the\u00a0soda ash activator and you can cut it to any size.<\/em>
    \nHemp bags<\/strong> \u2013 for personalized food or gift bags. It\u2019s a rougher fabric and creates a subtler,\u00a0earthy contrast.<\/em>
    \nCotton fresh bags<\/strong> \u2013 the white cotton is super effective for a strong contrast and also makes<\/em>
    \nfor nice gift.<\/em><\/p>\n

    HOW TO PRINT WORDS AND PATTERNS:<\/h1>\n
      \n
    1. Add the soda ash to a tub of warm water (about 5 cups).<\/li>\n
    2. Place the cloths you want to sun print onto in the soda ash solution. Use a paint brush or\u00a0gloved hands to saturate them \u2013 not your naked hands \u2013 this solution is highly alkaline.\u00a0Leave to soak for 20 minutes.<\/li>\n
    3. While that\u2019s soaking, mix your instant coffee in 2 cups of hot water and pour this into your\u00a0spray bottle. Make sure it\u2019s set to mist, not jet spray, or you\u2019ll blast your leaves and letters\u00a0right off.<\/li>\n
    4. Prepare your plant matter, cut outs and oven trays.<\/li>\n
    5. After 20 minutes, slip your gloves back on and retrieve your cloth from the soda ash\u00a0solution.<\/li>\n
    6. Wring them out and place them on the baking trays.<\/li>\n
    7. Place the letters and some foliage onto your cloth.<\/li>\n
    8. Spray from the top down with your diluted coffee mixture.<\/li>\n
    9. Optional: If you\u2019re just doing foliage, place a sheet of glass directly on top. This creates a\u00a0very cool, high contrast speckled effect. Or place small stones on the leaves to keep them\u00a0in place. This creates a more solid printing effect with higher contrast and clearer outlines.<\/li>\n
    10. Leave in the midday sun for about 2 hours.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      **Note on the letter cut-outs<\/em><\/strong>
      \nI wanted to print the word \u2018bread\u2019 on my bags so I first tried it with paper cutouts. Unfortunately, the\u00a0paper absorbs the coffee so the negative space below isn\u2019t kept as free from the coffee stain. In this<\/em>
      \nsun printing project, an upcycled sheet of hard plastic (like what you would get from hardware or art\u00a0paintbrush packaging) can be a real win. It won\u2019t absorb the coffee stain, creates a strong print<\/em>
      \noutline, is heavier so they won\u2019t blow away and can be re-used time and again. The cut off bits and\u00a0letters can then go into an       eco-brick<\/a> of course!<\/em><\/p>\n

      The next step is CRUCIAL!<\/strong><\/em> Are the kids still fine with their moon sand or assortment of gemstones?\u00a0Go pour yourself a glass of something refreshing, find the nearest recliner, couch or hammock and lie<\/p>\n

      there for as long as you can marveling at the sound of birds, the blue sky, the dappled light of summer\u00a0tree canopies and cloud shapes. If you even look at your phone your craft project will flop.<\/p>\n

      You can have a look after an hour, minimum, but it\u2019s best to leave until the cloth is bone dry to the\u00a0touch.<\/p>\n

      To set the print, give it a few goes under a very hot iron.<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Moon Sand: The Easiest DIY Kinetic Sand to Keep Kids Happy for Hours<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n