Hi creative souls! Are you looking for a craft that will get you (and your kids) outdoor this summer, and is fun and easy?! AND, you'll actually want to keep it after - and perhaps, frame it. Then, keep reading...
What you'll need:
- 2 sheets blue cyanotype paper
- Baking sheet (or cardboard or other flat item you can transport)
- Paper towel
- Photo frame (or sheet of plastic/acrylic/glass)
- Leaves & flowers
- Sunshine
- Water
Step 1: FORAGE FOR LEAVES
Choose a sunny day for this craft! First, go outside and take a big gulp of fresh air. Next, gather leaves, flower petals, branches, and whatever else you think will leave a pretty design imprinted.
Step 2: PREP AND ASSEMBLE
Once you have all the leaves & etc. you’d like to use, you can start to arrange your design. To assemble:
1.) Lay down your baking sheet.
2.) Lay your blue paper on top of the baking sheet.
3.) Assemble your leaves & etc. on top of the blue paper.
4.) Remove the plastic sheet from your photo frame, and place the sheet of plastic on top of your leaves & etc (this will keep them from blowing off when you place the design outside).
Step 4: SUNBATHE
Now it's time for your design to sunbathe. Carefully carry your design outside and place in the sun for about 8-12 minutes. The longer you leave in the sun, the whiter the outline of your leaves will become
Step 5: WATERBATHE
Carry your design back inside, remove the plastic sheet, and rinse the paper under gentle water for about 30 seconds.
Step 6: AIRDRY
Set out your paper to dry. The paper will bleed a bit of blue dye, so we recommend placing a paper towel or sheet of newspaper (or the tissue paper that came in your box) under your design while it dries.
Step 6: ADMIRE!
Once dry, you can either hang as is or frame. A deliciously simple craft complete! Step back and admire your work. Remember, it's all about enjoying the creative process. Don’t criticize your work: it's perfectly imperfect. Love it, cherish it, or at the very least, gift it to a family member. Lastly, help inspire others to create: take a picture, upload to Instagram/TikTok/Pinterest and use the hashtag #papercloudsescape.
You can watch a video tutorial here: