Whether you want to clip your own flowers or if you already have flowers you've kept as souvenirs, this article will share the directions for how to press the flowers and a simple project using these fragile beauties.
First, let's start with how to press the flowers, it's very simple. Two basic rules to remember are 1) Dry the plants as flat as possible and 2) always pick the plants when they are at their best, before they have peaked. Snippet: You can press plants and herbs as well as flowers. Here are a few seasonal suggestions for materials. Fall: aster, chrysanthemum (single) hydrangea blooms, maple leaves, Winter: Christmas rose and winter jasmine, Spring: carnation, ferns, morning glory, pansy, viola, Summer: bachelor's button, bay leaf, cosmos, daisy, dandelion, impatiens, ivy, roses (small flowers and buds) sage blooms, tarragon leaves, zinnia (single).
Pick more materials than you need so you will have a good selection and variety to choose from. Experiment with the flowers you select to press, some do better than others in retaining their color. After gathering your plant material, remove the foliage or blooms from the stems. Place each item flat on a piece of porous paper, such as blotting paper. If you want to use the stem also, this will be your only chance to create the shape of the flowers before they dry. Curve some of the stems, leave some straight or add an arch effect. When you're ready to create a craft item, you will have a variety of "styles" as well as materials.
Once the flowers are placed on the paper (make sure flowers are not touching) cover with another piece of paper. Put the flowers and papers in a commercial plant press or use the more common method and place them between the pages of a heavy book and stack more books on top. Keep in mind that depending on the thickness and size of what you are pressing, the process can take from several days to a month.
Snippet: I experimented 2 weeks ago with flowers from my garden. I selected several varieties. I checked them today, they pressed beautifully. Some retained their color, others didn't. I have selected more today (impatiens-all colors, snapdragons-red and deep purple, heather, night blooming jasmine-yellow and hibiscus. I'm going to press half and dry the other half and compare the results. I'll give you an update next time.
