Sue has been part of a postcard swap group for over 15 years, maybe 17 or 18? But we have finally decided to end our exchanges; the group has decreased in size over the years down to just 5. Elizabeth joined us for the tail end. There was not a particular theme for this round, just whatever each person wants to create. Sue decided to see how cyanotype prints of spring flowers would work.
She gathered some blossoms from periwinkle, money plant, and azaleas and set up the components to expose them to the sun. The cotton fabric was previously treated with the cyanotype chemicals. The base is foam core board topped with the fabric, plant materials, and glass held in place with binder clips. The arrangements were spritzed with water and vinegar before covering with the glass. Different additions can vary the results of the print.
Then they were set outside in the sun for several hours. The picture below show the boards after sun exposure.
Then the glass and plant materials are removed. Sometimes the success of the print is evident, other times it takes extensive rinsing to get to the final print. Rinsing is always required, but some pieces that Sue treated have more solution on them and take more rinsing.
Above is the periwinkle piece before and after rinsing. You can see what a difference rinsing makes. After several water changes, the piece soaked overnight to get to the final result. Sue used the periwinkle piece to create her postcards. The printed fabric was cut into four 4 x 6 inch pieces and fused to the postcard base (a stiff interfacing like TimTex), then the purple stitching was added. A backing of cardstock was fused to the other side and edges satin stitched.
Above are the 4 postcards that were sent. Sue was happy with the results to celebrate Spring and the final exchange of the group.
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