I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a girly-girl with a capital G” in my house. Tutu’s and ribbons and pink everything abounds. Accessories are a must, sparkles are a necessity and she almost keeled over when her grandmother gave her and her doll matching dresses a few weeks ago. And she’s only four; I’m a little worried about 16.

Until then, however, it’s fun to indulge her girlyness every now and then with something pink and pretty and flower-fairyish, like this pounded flower t-shirt.

This craft can also be done on paper. So if you don’t happen to have a girly girl in your house, consider making bookmarks, wrapping paper or cards with the same technique. Look for thicker papers that will absorb the color from the flowers and leaves if you go this route. Good quality drawing paper or watercolor paper both work well.

A note about washing. These prints are, essentially, grass stains. So although you will be heat setting the images, steer clear of super stain fighting detergents when you wash these.

Things you need:
Cotton t-shirt
Flowers and leaves
Typing paper
Hammer
Iron

Things to do:
1. Lay your t-shirt on a solid work surface. You will be hammering – lightly, but still hammering – so make sure whatever is underneath won’t be damaged.
2. Slip a few sheets of paper inside the shirt and place them around where you will print your flowers to keep the colors from bleeding through to the back of the shirt.

3. Arrange your flowers on the shirt. Try to snip off any stems or bulky pieces to make your hammering easier.

4. Cover the flowers with a sheet of paper and press down firmly to flatten them into place.
5. Tap with your hammer around the edges of the leaves and flowers and then work in toward the centers until you can see them through the paper.

6. Peel the paper off of the shirt. The leaves and flowers should come away with the paper, but if they stick, peel those away too.

7. Heat your iron to its cotton setting and press the prints left behind to heat set the image.