How to Use a Rolling Pin for Printing Cactus-Patterned Tea Towels

You know that rolling pin taking up space in the drawer? The one you have yet to ever use for baking? Finally, there is a new creative use for it as a printing tool.

Printing with a rolling pin is a great way to get an all-over organic looking print quickly. PLUS this project is as much fun for kids as it is for adults. You can get a different print each time you switch out your stickers and try a new color of paint.

Watch this episode of DIY This With Jennifer Perkins for more details about rolling-pin printing and keep reading to make your own.

Once you decide what design you want, either purchase foam stickers in that shape or cut your own design out of sticky-back craft foam. Apply them in a random pattern onto the rolling pin.

If you want your design to have more detail, use a wood-burning tool to add marks that will show in your print. Please be careful using this tool with children.

Using a sponge brush apply paint to the rolling pin.

Lay out your material, such as a dish towel, start at the bottom and then roll the pin slowly up until paint starts to lighten. Reapply extra paint and try to match up the pin where you stopped and roll again.

Allow the paint to dry and embellish with smaller sponge brushes like adding colorful flowers to the cactus.

When the paint has dried on the flowers, use hot glue or fabric glue to attach pompom trim to the edge of the towel.

So many fun possibilities for this printing technique. Be sure to try your hand at potato stamping next.