Pressing Time

Finally, finally, FINALLY I've been able to begin pressing my crocuses, in between the rogue snow storms and spring deluges we've been having here in southern Wisconsin lately. After "tweeting" that I was pressing crocuses this past Saturday, I received a number of emails asking me about how to go about pressing them.

So, for my new readers, here's an update of a tutorial on "How to Press Crocus Flowers" I wrote a few springs ago. Enjoy pressing and capturing the beauty of your crocuses. They are such a welcome blessing from our Creator.

Free Crocus Cards

They have finally arrived!

I have discovered that is is mostly my fault that my crocuses were so late in coming this year.

It wasn't only due to Wisconsin's late spring, like I had suspected. It was because I, in my limited wisdom, put down too much shredded bark mulch last summer in the areas where my crocuses are planted! The poor crocus flowers have had to struggle an extra 2 inches before reaching the warm spring sun.

Thankfully they have made it, and in their brilliant purple beauty with their sword like striped leaves they have certainly been worth the wait.

To celebrate, I am offering a free pressed crocus flower card with every box of Assorted Pressed Flower Cards or framed botanical art piece ordered this April. Enjoy!

strange flowers

Here's the flowers from my unusual air plant I mentioned last month. Purple tube flowers, ending in long stamens with neon yellow pollen. Strange!

Speaking of strange, lots of things are strange around here in Wisconsin. We had 15 inches of snow on Good Friday, but thankfully it's been in the fifties lately and most of the snow is gone. However, we are supposed to get 6 more inches tomorrow.

My crocuses are nowhere in sight. Last year at this time, I was busily pressing crocuses, and making pressed crocus cards. If you've been blessed with crocuses where you are, here's a tutorial on how to press crocus flowers - they press beautifully with the Microfleur flower press. I hope to be able to join you in pressing crocuses soon!

New Beginnings!

An early spring thunderstorm (as opposed to an early morning snowstorm) reminded me this morning of new beginnings, and inspired a new card. Another winter has passed and once again my crocuses are in full bloom. After a 3 month flower pressing hiatus, I’ve been happily pressing a number of them in my Microfleur. Crocuses press wonderfully, and last year at this time I wrote a tutorial on How to Press Crocus Flowers with the Microfleur, just in case you’re interested.

My husband and I are reading through the Bible once again this year, using the NIV Daily Bible in Chronological Order. It’s awesome because since it’s in chronological order, you really get a feel for “who” and “what” fits where in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. Anyways, one thing that continually jumps out at me as I’ve been reading lately, is how our God is a God of second chances… and third, and fourth chances, and so on and so on! The Israelites were such short-sited, ungrateful, thick headed, self-centered wimps (just like you and I can be) and yet more often than not, He willingly gives them a fresh new beginning. Even when He has had enough, and finally comes down on them, He soon longs to reestablish a caring relationship with them. He is certainly a God of new beginnings, and I am so grateful.