Alisa Bangerter
I had the opportunity to create the Paper Crafts 101 column for the July/August issue of Paper Crafts magazine. I played around with techniques using items from nature and came up with a lot of really fun things to do using items from my yard.
One of my favorite was creating texture using some green leaves by rubbing them on cardstock and transferring the pigment onto the paper.
Since spring has burst my yard into a plethora of color, I wanted to try a variety of brightly colored flower petals and leaves to see what I could create.
I took each petal or leaf and rubbed it in circular motions onto cardstock. It was fun to see how each color transferred onto the paper, as some colors are different from what you think will appear. The effect of the pigment from the plants has a soft watercolor look to it – in fact it is hard to tell that it isn’t a paint or ink that was used.
And here's the finished result!
So my challenge to you is to try a new technique using something from nature. It’s fun, fast and free!
Alisa, Paper Crafts Pro
P.S. For those of you who don’t have flowers growing in a garden, today I’m giving them away…the stamped version that is! Leave a comment telling me your favorite item from nature. It can be anything! I’ll randomly pick three people to win a copy of our July/August issue and Kelly Panacci’s Funtastik Flowers stamp set. All comments must be received by midnight on Thursday, June 11. The three winners will be announced on Friday’s blog.
Three lucky winners will take home this prize package!
Thats hard to choose i love them all but i think my most favorite would be the lilac bush. It is usuallly the first to bloom and smells so good and reminds me so much of home and when i was little playing by the lilac tree.
Wow, that is so cool! I would never have thought to use actual flowers to make a background! I would say my favorite thing from nature is trees. I love the look, the sound they make , and how they change with the seasons!
hibiscus flowers, so pretty and such vivid colours, reminds me of the islands and tourquoise water
I love the serenity of it and the beautiful feeling I get from connecting with it.
I love nature that has been untouched by man and is just pure and indescribeable.
Love this technique too!
I love flowers. The pretty colors and smells of some. Fragrance is nice to have. Jenny
My favorite thing from nature is puffy, white clouds. I just love to look up in the sky and see those soft, cotton clouds. And sometimes I even take pictures of them:)
I just love the beauty of flowers (all kinds) and water (waterfalls, streams, etc,). It just captures me!
I LOVE birds and flowers right now! I also love laying in the green grass staring up at the fluffy white clouds!
FLOWERS, FLOWERS AND MORE FLOWERS…I love the look that they give projects. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’d have to say my favourite thing from nature is all the beautiful wild flowers we have here in the Kootenay Mtns!
My favorite thing to use from nature would be leaves and bark, no two leaves are ever alike and bark comes in so many shapes and colors the creative pallet is endless. Terre
Pretty card – thanks for the chance. Favorite thing form nature is trees – love themin every season from fall colors to winter full if ice to gorgeous green in summer.
Your card is so beautiful & cool! I would love to receive one like that!
I think my favorite item from nature is trees! They are just so lovely, gentle and humble… I love them! And I love fields of groundsels! They are so lovely too!
What an interesting idea – must try it out sometime (if only my garden wasn’t full of weeds!). As for my fav item from nature, nothing beats a good, solid, fully-grown tree that’s been around for years.
I am a flower girl — tulips, roses (the garden variety, not long-stemmed) and hydrangeas. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love my lily of the valley garden and my rose bushes.
I love flowers and butterflies.
tulips
My favorite is trees. I love the sound of the trees rustling in the breeze.
I love seeing the beautiful pink calla lillies bloom in my flower bed. Their color is just gorgeous.
I love leaves in the fall.
I love leaves, the different shapes and colors. And I love the fall when they’re starting to turn colors.
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