And then I set it on fire!

I missed over two weeks of the wonderful Maine fall foliage season this year because of my trip to Malta and the Netherlands. I got that urge again to print with leaves but most of the leaves had fallen off the trees. I took a short walk and picked up a few maple, oak and ginkgo leaves. I looked for a nice dyed piece of cotton but then I spotted some natural linen and thought that would look great in browns and gold.

I got out my plate of glass, fabric paints and pouncer and started to print

Nice!

I started with the darkest colors: dark brown, dark red and used a sheet of waxed paper to lay over the backs of the painted leaves so I could rub and press without having to worry about the leaves moving or smearing paint on the linen.

That's when it happened. I torn off a sheet of waxed paper and laid it on my work table - right on top of a lit candle. The waxed paper burst into flames. It was burning too fast for me to run to the sink; I knew I'd drop it. Suddenly I remember the mist bottle I use when ironing and I sprayed water on the paper and put the fire out. My partner, Brian said, you really did set it on fire. I couldn't resist the title.

Used leaves with traces of fabric paint on them.

The finished piece about 45 X 24. Below are a few detail shots. All in all it came out great, I know my smoke alarm works and we are all safe.