Is it possible to have too many totes? Of course not! This DIY shadow printing tote is an easy summer craft! I love how it turned out with only using a few items. I used one magenta Inkodye packet leftover from my canvas pouch project. I probably could have used two packets in order to cover more, but I like more of the distressed look.

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Supplies:

                          

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Directions: 

1) Find a place away from sunlight to do this project. Set your canvas tote on a surface you don't mind getting messy, and that is sturdy enough to carry outside. (Iron your tote if it's wrinkly!)

2) Insert a cardboard piece or thick paper inside the tote to create a smooth, flat surface and to make sure no ink seeps through. 

3) Shake up the ink packet and bend it to snap it open. Spread the dye around using the packet itself or a foam brush. 

4) Place your object(s) on top of the tote. I used some letterboard letters that I had laying around.

5) Set your tote out in the sun for 12 minutes. If it's a cloudy day it may take 20-30 minutes. Bring it inside away from the sunlight and take off your objects.

6) You're almost done! In order to set the dye you need to machine wash it with the included inkowash detergent. I air dried it and then ironed again. Tumble drying low would probably be fine too! 

I just love how it turned out!

-Rachel

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Posted by Rachel Kent

 

Hello everyone, Wendy here today to share some messy gorgeous art with American Crafts Color Pour!  When I first saw this system introduced I was totally in love, the colors, the marble look, and everything always looked wonderful…  So I wanted to find out, would my Color Pour also look magical or was it a hoax?

 

 

Well it worked!  My son said it looked like an expensive piece of art, got to love that boy!  So I thought I’d share a few tips of what I discovered while I created and the steps I followed to create.  I also have included a video of my first ever pour so that you can see how easy it is.

 

    

 

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So here are the steps to follow for your magical art:

Step 1:  Cover your area.

 

 

Step 2:  Pour a measured amount of each color into each separate cups.  Then I used another cup to pour the paint in layers.

 

 

Step 3:  Pour! The way you pour really doesn’t seem to matter, the paint is magical and it really turned out nice even though I didn’t really think about how I was pouring.  I did have trouble getting the paint to the edges and probably should have used a bit more paint, but I was able to tap my canvas on my surface to cause the paint to flow over all the areas.

 

      

 

Step 4:  Glitter…  or sparkle… or leave it alone.  I’m still tossed up over this one and which would have been a better choice.

 

 

Some tips that might help you prepare better…

1. Cover your area and then cover an even larger area!  This stuff spreads and while I was able to do it on my desk, my hands were covered with paint which proved to be a challenge.

2. I chose an 8x10 canvas which fit nicely into my lasagna pan covered in trash bags so that I could work at my desk area.  If you are doing a larger pour you will need a bigger area, but it really helped putting my canvas into a container with sides as I could let it rest on the pan to help the pouring.

3. I used about 25ml of each color which was enough for the 8x10 canvas, but there wasn’t a lot of extra.

4. I would probably not measure the paints as much and just pour into one measuring cup in layers, that would cut down on the waste and mess.

5. The glitter/sequins/sparkles really come out of the containers, I would suggest pouring some in your hands before sprinkling it on your project.

6. And wear gloves as it does seem to stick around a bit.  Also I would remove any jewelry also, I sure will next time.

I hope this tutorial has answered any questions you have, please feel free to leave anything else in the comments and I would be glad to answer them for you.  So, what do you think?  Do you want to try making some art?

-Design Team Member Wendy Antenucci

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Posted by Rachel Kent

 

Here is a fun summer craft for you or the kids! Design a canvas pouch using sunlight, any flat object, and dye. This inkodye by Lumi is specifically formulated to develop its color when exposed to sunlight. So whatever you put on top of the pouch, that part with remain white. You could use flowers, leaves, stencils, die cuts, stickers - so many possibilities!

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This shadow printing kit contains:

• one canvas pouch (white on one side, black on other side)
• magenta inkodye packet
• orange inkodye packet
• inkowash detergent packet
• acrylic overlay
• instructions

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Directions: (the included instructions are way more detailed, but here is a simplified version!)

1) Find a place away from sunlight to do this project. Set your canvas pouch on a surface you don't mind getting messy, and that is sturdy enough to carry outside.

2) Choose which color packet you want and shake it up a bit. Bend it back and forth a little and snap it open. In my video you can see how I did this with great finesse. Ha! You only need one packet for the pouch, so you can save the rest for another project like a canvas tote or shirt even. Or you could try doing a little of both and see how that looks!

3) Spread the dye around using the packet itself or a foam brush. Make sure to get all the edges!

4) Dab any extra off with a paper towel, then place your object(s) on top of the pouch. I used a lace heart doily and the grateful wood piece from the Pocket Frames collection. If your object is light and may blow off with the wind, use the included acrylic overlay to lay on top of it.

5) Set your pouch out in the sun for 12 minutes. If it's a cloudy day it may take 20-30 minutes. Bring it inside away from the sunlight and take off your objects.

6) You're almost done! In order to set the dye you need to machine wash it with the included inkowash detergent. And that's it!

 

 

Note - the magenta color is more purple in my opinion, but still a nice shade. They looked really vibrant outside, but then after washing they faded a little. I also could tell where I didn't spread the dye evenly and it was a little splotchy. But I think they turned out cute! And I used the leftover ink to make a tote! :)  -Rachel

 

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Posted by Rachel Kent