sun print gift boxes

One of my favorite projects once the sun comes out is to create sun prints with nature paper. Last year I created sun printed fabric with acrylic paint (a great shortcut) but using nature paper- sun sensitive paper- is so easy and a wonderful project for all ages! 

I purchased my nature paper HERE. It comes with 30 sheets of paper.

To make a sun print place a piece of the paper on top of cardboard (I like to pin mine down to keep things from blowing away).

Next, place objects from nature on the paper. I use a piece of glass over the top to keep my objects in place. 

Place in the sun for 2 minutes.

Remove objects and soak in water for 1 minute and then let dry.

As the paper dries it will darken and leave a beautiful imprint of the objects.

The process is so easy and addicting. The best part is that you can use the prints in a variety of collage and paper projects. One of my favorite ways to use them is making pretty little gift boxes.

I use paper mache boxes and covered them with the sun prints. You can use any kind of glue but I really prefer to use gel medium.

Last, I used paint on the edges and inside of the boxes.

The result is a unique little gift box perfect for a special occasion!

sun print tote

Sun prints are typically created with special paper or fabric treated with cyanotype (a solution of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate that can be exposed to a UV light source to create a print).  Kinda sounds complicated right? While you can buy paper or fabric treated with cyanotype, or even light sensitive paints and dyes, there is a much easier and cheaper way to create the same effect on fabric.

If you have spent time playing around with surface design techniques, resists or using leaves on fabric, it is likely that you may have discovered that you can place objects onto a wet painted surface. Once they dry they will leave an imprint of the object. I discovered this years ago when I was painting outside on a sunny day and leaves and grass got stuck to my wet canvas. Recently (when we had a heat spell) I thought it would be a fun technique to share with Lucy. It is a really easy way to create a simple sun print and a perfect project for warm sunny day!

Using acrylic paint, cover the surface of your fabric. I prefer to use watered down paint (or even dye). Thick layers of paint will not work for this technique.

TIP- Use fabric paint or dye if you are creating washable fabric

Next, press flowers, leaves or just about anything onto the surface of the wet fabric.

Let everything sit in the sun for 1-2 hours or until dry. While it is drying the leaves will be absorbing the wet pigment.

Pull leaves from the fabric and you are left with a beautiful print.

And of course I couldn't resist using my fabric to create a simple tote!


Looking for more ideas for creating your own unique fabric? Check out more of my posts- glue resist fabric, fern fabric, scratch foam prints, stenciled fabric, stamped fabric