Learn how to press flowers and preserve them with materials you have around your house.
Pressed flowers are a simple way to preserve a moment in time.
You dont need any special tools to preserve them either.
Credit: Adam Albright
Dont wait until the day before youll have to throw the arrangement out.
Remove a few flowers from the bouquet while all the blooms are still fresh.
Collect blooms and foliage at different stages of development to giveframed pressed-flower arta natural look.
The better the quality of the blooms at picking time, the better theyll look when dried and pressed.
Ferns and other types of leaves flatten nicely too.
Collect some stems, leaves, and tendrils to add interest and context to your pressing.
Trim the back of bulky flowers or cut them in half lengthwise to help them lie flat.
For best results and the most vibrant colors, condition your blooms first.
Place them in a clean vase filled with water and floral food.
Weigh down the top of the book with a brick or another heavy item.
Let the flowers dry for a week before checking on them.
At that point, you may want to replace the absorbent material.
Allow two to three weeks for complete drying.
Heat ahot, clean ironto a low setting.
Prepare the flower for pressing by placing it between two sheets of absorbent paper.
Then, flatten the flower for a few seconds with a heavy book or heavy-bottomed pan.
You dont need to make a gliding motion like you do when youre ironing clothes.
Wait for the paper to cool for another 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat.
Check occasionally by very carefully lifting the paper to see if the flower is stiff and dry.
Place the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper, then press between the tiles.
Heat for 30 to 60 seconds at a time, allowing the materials to cool before repeating.
Allow the book to cool for a minute or two between zaps.
Dont microwave the book for longer than a minute at a time.
The flowers should be finished drying in a day or two.
Use sheets of printer or parchment paper to absorb excess moisture and protect the pages of your book.
Replace the paper regularly.
Harvest your flowers only when they are drynot wet with rain or dew.
Use clean sheets of white paper to press the flowers (not wax paper).
If humidity levels are high in your crafting area, consider using a fan to improve air circulation.
With proper preparation and care, pressed flowers can last for decades.
Store pressed flowers in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
If you are saving them for a later project, an air-tight plastic container is a safe bet.
Keep your pressed flowers out of direct sunlight and avoid contact with water.
Also keep in mind that brighter flowers will naturally hold their colors longer than lighter, pastel shades.
