I've been inspired by the idea of using natural objects as stamps. One afternoon, Kinsey and I did a little experimenting in the studio with different fruits and veggies. Here are the results-
The technique could not be more simple, you chop fruits and veggies and then use them as stamps. We used acrylic paint and a brayer to roll paint on to our stamps. I've wanted to make an apple stamped pillow set (think Autumn decor) or possibly even a dress for a while and I was really pleased with how the prints looked using small granny smith apples.
We chopped the seed area out to define the shape more.
We tried making a flower stamp with an artichoke, but I wasn't blown away by the results (the imprint was very weak). Next, we tried the same concept with the leftover celery stock and it worked really well.
I liked the simple, geometric repeat pattern that this piece of celery created.
Potatoes can be used to create almost any simple shape. I like these natural patterns.
After experimenting with different produce and colors I wanted to make a wearable project. I chose the celery because I liked the small and simple design. I used gold Martha Stewart all surface craft paint with fabric medium mixed in. Here's the final product…
That was fun! Have you tried any other natural stamping methods that you loved? I would like to try a version with dye instead of paint next time. xo, elsie
119 Comments
Lovely
This DOES look like fun. I remember my mom doing this with me with potatoes when I was younger. I love that you made a scarf =)
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
I love the scarf. – I was actually just reading about stamping and block printing on the Martha Stewart website and she gave some great ideas for potato stamps.
– tianna 🙂
We have done wrapping paper stamped before. It makes a cute eco-friendly solution to gift wrapping if you use a paper bag. 🙂
So interesting! The celery looks pretty, like a flower 🙂
love it and will have to give it a try!
pretty cool! 🙂
xoxo
Ida
http://asplashofida.blogspot.com
Very cool Idea as usual, you all are always so creative, just love that!
These turned out great. I love the scarf.
What a lovely scarf! I never would have thought that celery could give such a cute print! Thanks for sharing!
Love the pattern the apples made! That would look great framed, or as wallpaper even! That scarf turned out so cute and fashionable, love that you chose gold on white, such a classic look 🙂 Beautiful!
http://rivercitysammon.com
Looks great! I remember doing stamping with apples in grade school and really liking it. Might have to give it another go, perhaps for some art for my apartment 🙂
Love the scarf you are! So much fun!
I made an ikat pattern with a potato and printed a lamp shade with it. The stamp was d etailed and took forever to cut but the end product is lovely!
I really LOVE this idea..this has to be the upmost creative i’ve seen in all my days of blogging ! nice job gal <3
Genius!!!!! Have you ever tried cutting a strawberry? That could either look really bad or really amazing….
I like the artichoke even though it was a little rougher…I think I would like it kinda washed out with a barely there paint…the design of it has potential for sure. I love stamping-but my weakness is with letters not fruits and veggies. I think it could be a fun challenge to stamp a wallpaper with rows of the different items you did and line the back of a cabinet or pantry-could be really cute with the food theme. Anyway-the scarf is delightful and the simplicity of that celery..who knew?!
http://nateandabbyclark.blogspot.com/
I love this when! When I was in High school I worked in the fruit and Vegetable department in a supermarket and always used to think how cool the celery stalk looked when cut, like a flower! Cauliflower would make a pretty unique stamp too 🙂
Becky, K.
http://pixiwishesforeheadkisses.wordpress.com/
Who would’ve thought a humble celery stick could jazz up your scarf!!
I just think this is an amazing idea! I’ve seen the artichoke one on Pinterest, but the celery stamp is so unique. Thanks for sharing!
Kate
http://acreativecookie.blogspot.com/
I think the apple print looks a little too, erm, anatomical for me!
My mom is a preschool teacher. Every year around Valentine’s Day she takes a whole celery bunch and stamps with the but of it. Imagine having your celery bunch then chopping off most of the stalks. You are then left with this hunk at the end. It makes adorable flowers….:)
its perfect! this would make a great Christmas gift too!
I love the idea of using them on scarves. I have a scarf addiction- this would be a great way of adding my own touches. Thanks for such a cool idea!
I used to to this when I was a kid as part of our school’s projuect 🙂
I love this idea. I am addicted to scarves and this would be such a great way of adding my own touches to my collection. Thanks for such a cool idea!
http://www.rebeccaprato.com/blog/
I like this idea a lot! Now the only problem is how confused my parents will be when they come home in the afternoon to find me stamping things with celery.
Oh back in high school, I was using apples to stamp in art class and I, like the idiot I was, forgot to put my apron on and I dropped the apple and it rolled down my favorite jacket leaving green pain all over it. It essentially ruined it. But I later covered the stains with star patches so it worked out alright. Very cute idea just don’t be stupid like me and forget to wear an apron…or take nice jackets off before you mess with paint. -.- Your stamping however came out really pretty.
you’re amazing! definitely doing this with my class + ill be making myself a custom scarf!
The scarf turned out so awesome!! So cute and unique 🙂
xoxo Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com
Would love to try this!
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
What a great idea! I’ve seen a bit of DIY stamping and printing floating around on the web and it seems like a really inexpensive way to add a bit of pizzazz. I think I need to give this one a go!
I think about this every time I cut celery down to the stalk, thanks for posting! I love the scarf idea…definitely going on my home-made Christmas gift making idea list! 🙂
Super cute! 🙂
omygosh! that’s so cool. a new way to use old vegetables.
http://withlove-janeen.blogspot.com/
OMG – the celery stamped scarf is too darling! LOVE it! Where do you come up with this stuff?
XOXO
-Daisy Nguyen from PS BANANAS fashion blog:
http://psbananas.com
BLOGLOVIN
FACEBOOK
You could also carve designs in the veggies. Love this.
http://www.suspironews.blogspot.com
Hello,
I just stumbled upon your blog yesterday and it’s my new favorite. You two are adorable!
That’s sooo nice! I like it!
http://www.ireneccloset.com
That is so creative! I love the scarf idea, I want to try that now! Thanks for sharing!
Shera
http://simplyshera.blogspot.com/
cute idea.
xthesimplethingsx.blogspot.com
everything you guys do is so amazing!
That looks fun and easy to do. I’ll definitely go and give it a try this weekend!
This would be such a great way to spruce up a solid scarf, shirt or bag once you start getting a little bored with an old basic. So adorable! – Alison { aliology.com }
Gorgeous! So simple, but at the same time so beautiful. Thanks for the idea!
http://www.xeanafashion.co
Great idea!!
My niece would love this, it’s really her thing!
Simply love it!!
I’m in love with the scarf! the other veggies and fruits make some cool patterns too. I’m wondering if I could do this on a wall instead of wallpaper…
So fun! I grew up potato stamping with my mom- it was my favorite thing to do on a rainy day. We’d cut the potato in half, carve stamps out of the cut side, and dip in hand-mixed paint. I never thought of taking it to a grown-up place. The possibilities are endless! xxx, j
your scarf looks amazing 🙂 one of my bedroom walls is stamped with a leafy vine print that i did using potatoes 🙂
Cool! Very good idea.
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
My sister has stamped t shirt with stars makes with potatoes
Love this idea too
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es
wow! these look great!
Great idea, although I’d really prefer potatoes as stamps because you can carve any shape you want!
i am detoxing so a lot of fruit and veggies over here! to eat mostly, but i will do some detoxcraft with my son tomorrow!!
http://www.mammajulesbrussels.blogspot.com
What a lovely idea! So creative, couldn’t have come up with it myself.
http://bravebrunette.blogspot.com
Such a cute idea, you two are so creative its unbelievable x
charlotteswebblog.co.uk
What a cute idea 😀
http://www.creativityandchocolate.blogspot.com
I love this tutorial. I definitely need to try it! =D
try with potatoes!
I’ve seen the “flower” stamp done with a head of celery, instead of artichoke – just cut the stalks off close to the bottom. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a moment to try it myself yet. But your post inspired me. And it’s perfect timing for the scarf thing! Thank you, girls!
What a great idea
Thanks for sharing
/Helena
nice style 🙂
Brukar du shoppa på http://goattention.se eller chicy,se? Har du några andra tipsa på webbshoppar?
I woul never have thought that a celery stick could create such a pretty design. So pretty.
-Jess
lifesabeautifulmesss.blogspot.com
The scarf looks so cute. Great idéa.
We used to stamp letters on shirts as kids and I used potatoes cut in half.
It was really fun – we used different colours and painted the potato around the actual letter.
I have to try this again ^^
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Fun and easy idea! I saw a bag with an apple print on the Martha Stewart blog, nice to seee different version s of the same idea :). http://www.marthastewart.com/922981/apple-print-bag
I remember doing fruit stamping when I was in 1st or 2nd grade! <3
~Sacha
I love so much your ideas, particularly these, that are so natural!!! <3
I have done this with a lemon- you just dry it out for a coupld hours!
I made some art for my apartment using the base of a head of romaine (I ate the romaine leaves of course!). I used watercolor paints and got a lot more detail than with acrylics. I ended up with a beautiful design, and I get compliments all the time!
The apple print looks really cute and adorable! 🙂 It would really look good on kitchen products like aprons, hand towels or even placemats! 🙂
xoxo
Ida
http://asplashofida.blogspot.com
Beetroot is fantastic as a stamp because it is natural colour as well as shape! I used it to stain paper to sketch on, and it looked lovely. (:
OMG I love that scarf, what a great Idea!
http://www.LesliMarie.com
The scarf celery printing is such a fantastic idea, I’m going to have to try that!
Such a bummer the artichoke didn’t work out though, it looked like a really pretty pattern to begin with.
cool idea.. will try one like this. 🙂
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com/
I love doing this, i make wrapping paper doing the same method.
Zoe
http://gypsiesister.blogspot.co.uk
I discover your blog today and it is more interesting then other blogs I see until now. I will have something nice to read in the future.
That’s so creative! ^^ I love how you did the scarf! ^^
Laura
http://lipsticksandladybirds.blogspot.be/
I love making stamps with veggies! Around the holidays I like to send extra festive thank you cards with my orders and I use an apple stamp with glue and then cover it in gold glitter to make a pretty shimmery apple. It’s one of my favorite things to make!
Wow! I absolutely love the celery printed scarf you made! Super simple yet fun
http://pshawscorner.wordpress.com
When I was little, my mom used to help me carve a raw potato into whatever design I wanted. We would cut open brown paper grocery bags, stamp the blank side, and use as wrapping paper!
How lovely!
This reminded me of school and all the crafts they used to make us do hehe ^^
I’m so sad the artichoke didn’t work out – it looks like it would have been so pretty! Love these simple prints.
I remember doing this when I was younger in school and in mother’s day out. I had a potato-stamped bandana when I was younger (though I don’t know what happened to it…). Love the scarf and pillows idea! I bet you could also use a carrot and cut in a design for a smaller version of the potato stamp. Excited to try this!
This is such a cute idea! I work at a children’s museum and I think I will try this as an art activity with the kids. Thanks for sharing!
Geena
this is such a cute idea, that scarf turned out amazingly!! 🙂 http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com
woww that is amazing!!!! great job, since this moment i love vegetables!!!!!!
These prints look really cute!
But I kind of don’t like the idea of “wasting” edible food for something like this. Even if it’s “just” an apple or a celery..
But anyhow. It looks nice!
This could be adorable for a print in a child’s bedroom or playroom as well!!! Such a great idea!
x
http://www.iloveublank.blogspot.com
That’s so awesome!! Love the scarf! Check out my blog: http://thechicstreetblog.blogspot.com/
fantastic idea and beautiful images!
Love your results! I made a tote bad using the ends of Romaine lettuce hearts – It makes a flower pattern that’s very cute and fun!
Great idea ! 😀
xo ,
Ana Catalarrana
http://Sinbowtie.blogspot.com
wow,guys,amazing!i love this idea!
http://unasrandomfashion.blogspot.com/
http://unasrandomfashion.blogspot.com/
http://unasrandomfashion.blogspot.com/
Looks like fun! I had the “apple as a stamp” idea in my had for a while now, too, I want to use it for a tote bag…but I didn’t made it yet to try it out. But it’s good to see that it works so well!
Thanks for sharing!
http://higgledypiggledywonderland.wordpress.com/
The celery stamp looks brilliant! What a great idea.
fantastic!!!
kisses
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2955086/barbara-crespo
I lovet the celery scarf, it’s such an original idea. This looks like a really fun project.
http://fashionananthropologicalpointofview.blogspot.ca/
Cute scarf! I saw this in a magazine a while back (they used the artichoke and celery) and I’ve always wanted to try it 🙂
Seriously cool. Shame the artichoke didnt come out properly, but maybe dry it out a bit and try again?
My Mom used to do potato stamping with me and my sister when we were little. I forgot how much fun that was! I’m going to add this project to my twin boys’ craft time! Fun post! Thank you!
I love fruit stamping! I actually made a tote for a friend with apples once!
Hola Elsie 🙂
I can’t wait to try this out with fruit this weekend!
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve recently purchased your dream job e-course and bloglove course and am stuck right in to the both of them! I’m currently only a few weeks away printing a woman-centred local magazine (my dream job!) and your blog has been a great instigator for this.
I’ve only got a couple of posts on my wordpress, but I’ve taken up your advice of making up a birthday list too!
Thanks for making me excited about life again. xx
Laura
http://thecupthief.wordpress.com/
woah. that’s amazing.
Amazing!
What a cool idea!
Xx
http://kendra-genevieve-rose.blogspot.com
The apple stamps look so vintage! very cute!
the celery works so well! the scarf is gorgeous.
I definitely love using the celery base as that is usually wasted and not eaten. I really don’t like using good food in a craft project, tho. Just a hang-up after seeing so much macaroni wasted when it was painted gold, I guess. I guess one end of a celery stalk isn’t such a waste, tho, when seeing the finished project! Thanks.
How fun! We used to do this as kids!
A wonderful idea for entertaining the kids while creating your own fabric design at the same time. This one is a definite keeper!
wow! I love that scarf!!
Great ideas! I found this post looking for group art projects for my kids’ classroom. Thinking of making a tablecloth. Question: what type of paint do you recommend for something that will get a lot of wear and tear and will be washed often? Will standard fabric paint work? Thanks!
Linda, Yes. If you plan to wash your item in the machine, you will want to use fabric paint. Be sure the read the back of the bottle and make sure it’s good for machine washing.
So happy you found the blog! Have a great week! Elsie
What fabric gold paint doid you use to stamp celery on scarf? thats gorgeous!