04 February 2015

Fun with Carrots + a Giveaway!

A few weeks back I reviewed a new book by Julie Booth, Fabric Printing at Home. Today I am back with a fun project from the book and a chance for you to win a copy of Fabric Printing at Home.

On page 53 I found an intriguing idea called Carrots Three Ways. I grabbed a carrot from the fridge, gathered some supplies, and got to work on one of the techniques.


For this project you need a firm carrot (preferably one that's got a section with an even diameter), a knife, and corn cob holders or bamboo skewers. Then you'll need some paint and a dauber or foam brush, and a surface to print on (fabric or paper).


Cut a section of the carrot that's as even in diameter as possible. This will result in a more even print. Eat the ends of the carrot or feed them to your bunny or guinea pig (optional).


Using the knife, cut designs into the carrot. The designs can be complicated or simple, regular or irregular. Have fun experimenting with this part! The cuts don't need to be very deep but leave a little bit of room between cuts for stability. Julie recommends peeling the carrot first for a smoother surface but I forgot that step in my excitement.


Insert the corn cob holders or pieces of bamboo skewers in the ends of the carrot to act as handles.


Dab on some paint and roll the carrot onto fabric or paper. It helps to have a cushy surface to print on, and it helps to print the first inking onto a scrap to test the amount of paint you've applied and to "prime" the surface of the carrot.


Fun with veggies! This has definite possibilities and I can't wait to try a whole bag of carrots with different designs cut into each one. Before I get started though I think I need to find the vegetable peeler and the corn cob holders…

There are SO many cool ideas just like this in Fabric Printing at Home! If you would like to win your own copy, please leave a comment below by the end of the day on Friday, February 13. Make sure to include your email address so I can contact you for your mailing address.

The blog tour continues tomorrow on Carol Eaton's blog, and the full schedule is below. There are 14 (fourteen!) chances to win a copy of Julie's lovely book, one at each blog stop on the tour. Julie has wonderful tutorials and additional giveaways on her blog each day of the tour, so don't forget to head over there every day.

February 2: Lisa Chin
February 3: Lynn Krawczyk
February 4: Jane Davila
February 5: Carol R. Eaton
February 6: Judy Gula
February 7: Susan Purney Mark
February 8: Teri Lucas
February 9: Jennifer Coyne Qudeen
February 10: Deborah Boschert
February 11: Lynda Heines
February 12: Cheryl Sleboda
February 13: Terri Stegmiller
February 14: Jackie Lams

63 comments:

Marcia Coling said...

I love learning all the different things you can do with veggies besides eat them!

Cathy in gorgeous Sonoma County said...

Never tried carrots that way! Fun idea!

Maxine Oliver said...

How cool is that? I've got to give it a try.

Carole @ Fresh off the Frame said...

Well, that looks fun! Now I'm seeing veggies in a whole new light. :-)

Deborah said...

There are always carrots in my house! Thanks for this!

Phyllis Brown said...

Love It. Would be awesome for fabric dyeing.

Gill said...

What fun!
I'll be trying this!!

Brenda said...

This book sounds like so much fun! I think the carrots I just tossed (no bunnies) would have been fun to try this with. No carving, no peeling -- just seeing what designs and textures would have been produced by an incredible tangle of white roots growing out all the way up the carrot outside. No leaves, just roots. Thanks for the demo and the chance to win a book.

janice said...

I am loving seeing some of the ideas from this book. If I don't win it I will definitely be adding it to my wish list

Unknown said...

This whole blog world within a world of printing on fabric has my creative juices whizzing around. A carrot for goodness' sake! Oh I have ideas. As it is hard I wonder how it would take to carving, is what comes to my mind immediately. I can tell my kitchen will be a studio of its' own one of these days. HA! Love this post, Norma

Unknown said...

I recently purchased your new book. Love it. I belong to a surface design group and we are going to play with some of your techniques. It would be great to win a copy of this book so it could be a give away to another member of my group. Thanks for sharing. DebbieU

Susie said...

A very creative idea! Who else would have thought to carve a carrot?

Mary Elizabeth said...

What fun. I popped over to your site because of the blog tour but have been exploring and will definitely be back. Thanks.

eily62 said...

Love the carrot! And so healthy.

Dotti said...

Playing with food...who knew it could be such fun!

Unknown said...

I love the carrot idea! I will have to try it.

Sue Andrus said...

A great use for carrots! I don't eat the things, myself... ;)

Pamela said...

What fun! I'll think of this whenever I look at a carrot!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

What a super cool book must have loads of fun ideas.

Dawn said...

This is so awesome, thank you for sharing! I would love to win the book. dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com

Carolyn Morgan said...

Love these simple ideas that I haven't thought of before. Fun for Gelli plate printing also!

Alison said...

What a great idea! I will now look at vegetables in a whole new way!

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

Never thought of using carrots that way... must try this!

Unknown said...

I have carrots and will try this. I like the roll

LynneP said...

This book looks so interesting. Thanks for the chance to win!

Miss Jean said...

Reminds me of my preschool teacher days. Perhaps those art books should be relocated to the quilt studio?

Miss Jean said...

Reminds me of my preschool teacher days. Perhaps those art books should be relocated to the quilt studio?

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

What a FUN book! I'd love to win!
heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

acornreads said...

Got carrots, got cornholders, got dogs to eat the ends...I guess I'm good to go! I WAS going to make carrot ginger soup but this looks like more fun!

Lydia said...

Have to say, the title "Fun with Carrots" just cracked me up. And then I followed the title into a very fun post. Who knew carrots could be so versatile? I see much carrot frivolity in my future. And then I'll have some pretty cool printed fabric. thanks for the chance at the book which looks like a real winner.

k2sews@hotmail.com said...

Looks like lots of fun.

Unknown said...

A "carrot roller". Very clever idea.

Pam said...

Love all these ideas

Laura said...

Playing with carrots! Reminds me of preschool with my children! Thanks for sharing.

jackie said...

Carrots are certainly an unusual printing tool.

Marybeth said...

It looks like this book is a must have! I like what you showed

Lisa said...

i would not have thought to stamp with a carrot this way!

afistfuloflemons said...

This book is darling!

Linda Stern said...

It got me thinking about other objects that can be carved and rolled or just rolled! Thanks!

Dee Spillane said...

I have never done carrot printing. How fun! Love experimenting with new "tools"

Dee

Anonymous said...

Looks like alot of fun.
Carole Hoffman

CyndyK said...

Wow, who would've ever thought to use a carrot! Very creative! Thanks for sharing with us! cknapp3626@sbcglobal.net

Cindy H said...

Who knew vegetables could be so much fun! Thanks for sharing this.

liberal sprinkles said...

This is cool. I've printed with the stems of some vegetables but never thought to carve carrots. Need to try this!
Grace
liberalsprinkles at gmail dot com

afistfuloflemons said...

I commented earlier but forgot to leave my contact info: afistfuloflemons @ gmail.

Textile Recycler said...

This is a great way to use up the massive number of carrots my other half buys! No one can possibly eat that many....LOL..
(textilerecycler at yahoo dot com)

Treasures by Louise said...

I can see me pulling out the whole produce drawer, and printing with all sorts of vegetables! Such a cool/simple idea.

Renate said...

And I thought carrots were only good for your eyesight! LOL! Who knew!!! sounds like the book is full of inspiration!

Sylvia said...

This reminds me of potato printing in first grade! What fun! Thanks for the chance to win!

Judy Mac said...

So many ideas in this book!

GoGayleGo said...

Very cool, great inspiration!

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

That is a really neat idea! Love it!

Sarah said...

This book sounds so fun and full of inspiration! Thanks for the chance!

patty a. said...

Who knew a person could do such things with a carrot! I have some in the fridge. I need to go play!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Now that would be a neat way to use carrots! Can't wait to try it!

Nancy said...

A whole new use for veggies- love the results you got from the carrot! thanks for the chance to win a copy of this fun new book.

Laceflower said...

How fun is that! Going to the grocer for carrots this a.m.

Mokki said...

What a fun idea. I just bought some wooden printing blocks last weekend like a sucker! I should have bought carrots!

Paula Lemos said...

So fun! I would love to win this book; please count me in, thanks!

virgdale said...

Can't believe the possibilities.

Sew Can Do said...

This looks like such a fun book!

tktl said...

This looks like a great kid activity!

t_ktl @ yahoo.com

Hilary Florence said...

carrot printing = this, I have to try!