Flower Pressing Tips, Part 2 - Revisited

We are in early summer here in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and it is beautiful. My perennials and annuals are blooming, and the wildflower seeds I planted earlier along the cornfield are beginning to pop as well, so as usual I'm doing lot's of pressing. I love it!

Here are a few more pressed flower tips I want to share with you:

*  I usually press the flowers I gather right away, but sometimes I let certain flowers sit on the counter for awhile, such as carpet cosmos, poppies, and even pansies. I gently flatten them out, and arrange the petals as needed, but then I let them sit for a few hours, and they kind of “draw in a bit.” This tends to concentrate the color of the flowers, and it adds a bit of interesting texture. Try it, and see what you think.

*  A number of you have written in asking me what kind of glue I use on pressed flowers. For years I used plain old Elmer's glue.  However, now I tend to use Perfect Paper Adhesive for both gluing and protecting all of my pressed flower and botanical art pieces. It's UV resistant, moisture proof, and it's even flexible - and virtually invisible.

*  Pansies are a favorite for pressed flower artists, but they can be tricky to glue properly. Here’s how I glue them:
First, place a small drop of glue in the center of the flower, and place a row of small dots of glue along the outer edge of the flower. Arrange the pansy where you want it and press down.

Then take a tooth pick and gently run it under the overlapping petals of the pansy from the middle out, and lift up the flaps that make up the "face" of the pansy.  Place a tiny drop of adhesive on the end of the toothpick, and gently slide it under the unsecured parts of the overlapping petals.

After gluing down the flowers, I would recommend lightly covering each flower, stem and leaf with a light coat of Perfect Paper Adhesive to preserve and protect the them and to maintain their vibrant colors.  If I'm making a piece of pressed flower art that will be framed at some point, I also spray it with clear UV resistant sealer in addition to applying the PPA.

Happy pressing!

The very latest in storing pressed flowers...

Previously I blogged about how I store my pressed flowers in large foil zip lock bags. 

Well, I eventually found these large bags to be cumbersome to store, hard to zip up after use, and quality issues were also occasionally a problem.

We learn as we go, and now I have a new pressed flower storage method that is working so much better for me.  See if it doesn't help you as well.     

I'm in here...

I'm not sure if this quite equals my ship coming in, but I am thrilled that my Elizabeth's Flowers website was mentioned as a source for the Microfleur flower press in the August edition of Canadian Living.

Editor Karen Kirk contacted me a few months ago to find out if I ship to Canada, which I have been gladly doing for years. Her article, "Blooming Frames" details an interesting way to use pressed flowers to decorate frames, and has a wonderful step by step pictorial on using the Microfleur. My site is listed as a source under "Things You Need," and you can view the article online here.

It has been exciting to see my website in print and mentioned online, and I'm eager to find out what kind of traffic will be generated to my site. But mostly, I hope the article convinces more people to press their own flowers, and enjoy the beauty they bring.

"The beauty of each blossom speaks silently of God's love..."

Black Pansies

I'm not into Gothic things (at all!), but I love black pansies.

Actually a deep, deep, purple, the black pansy pictures and cards I make are always good sellers at the farmer's markets and shows I do. The only problem is that I'm sometimes reluctant to press them, because they look so dramatic in the containers on my patio!

I made this card yesterday, and today it's on it's way to a good friend. Because I brushed on a thin coating of Perfect Paper Adhesive over the pansies and their greenery, I don't have to worry about the flowers fading, or being damaged in the mail. A thin coat is all it takes to provide invisible UV resistance, and because it provides a tough, flexible layer of protection, it's perfect for pressed flower cards, gift tags, etc.

Purple Crocus Trio

Purple Crocus Trio
Unframed Pressed Flower Art
For an 11 x 14" or
8 x 12" frame
Pressed crocuses, handmade paper

Spring is winding down here in Wisconsin, so here is another crocus collage before I have the joy of bombarding you with a riot of summer flowers.

I just got back from a short trip to visit a friend in Puyallup, Washington (near Seattle) and was amazed at the beautiful flowers there. I saw a lot of blooming wild pelargoniums (geraniums) on the Orting Valley bike trail which were tempting to pick and press, but I refrained. My own pink pelargoniums are blooming now and I'll be heading outside soon to press them before this afternoon's rain.

The above "Purple Crocus Trio" pressed flower picture could be framed in either a standard 8 x 10, or 11 x 14" frame. In an 8 x 10 frame, the mat would neatly cover the edges of the handmade paper, and the 11 x 14" frame would allow the interesting deckled edge of the handmade paper to show, for a more organic look.

I will happily include an acid free white mat for either size frame (8x10", or 11x14") upon request. Just state your mat size preference in the "comments" section when ordering, or email me.

Yellow Crocus Spring Greeting

12" X 12"
"Yellow Crocus Spring Greeting"
Pressed flowers, handmade paper
$95.00

Over the weekend spring was briefly here in southern Wisconsin, and in a happy frenzy I planted my super sugar snap peas as well as my snow peas. My neighbors said it was way to early, but Martha Stewart always says to get them in around St. Patrick's Day. She should know. And, while I was at it, I also planted a few kohlrabi, some beets, chard, and lettuce. It was probably too early for all of the latter, but it was so much fun for my soul.

Today we are back to that long "in between" time - not quite spring, not quite winter. It's a perfect day to post my yellow crocus creation, and try to think thoughts of spring coming, and staying.

Coming up for air...

Lot's of commotion around here lately - my father in law has arrived to recover from open heart surgery, and we have been rearranging our lives accordingly to accommodate him. I'm determined to get back to blogging this week, but today I'm taking the easy way out. I'd like to point you towards my favorite competitor's new blog: Annie's Pressed Garden Blog. Actually Annie and I aren't really competitors, she does amazing things with bouquets, and I've always been afraid to work with them for fear I wouldn't be able to do them justice.

I also really admire Annie's cheerful enthusiasm and her contagious, heartfelt faith. Get to know her, you'll be blessed.

How to store pressed flowers, part 2

Last winter I blogged about my method for storing pressed flowers, but I thought I'd let you know that things have changed around here.

We had number of really damp spells lately here in Wisconsin, and even though I stored my flowers in plastic containers with tight fitting lids, they weren't air tight. I was constantly having to reactivate my silica gel. I keep my pressed flowers at my work area in our basement, and I was worried that the exposure to dampness would affect their ability to retain their bright colors.

Thankfully, I've come up with an improved method that really seems to be working. If you are a pressed flower artist, maybe this new way of storing pressed flowers will work for you too.

Who am I?

I just finished pressing these beautiful spring flowers a few minutes ago, but I have no idea what they are. My aunt gave me the bulbs last fall, but I forgot to write down what she said they were. They also come in pink. Do any of you know?

As you can see, the delicate color of the flowers came out brilliantly with the microfleur, but the slender leaves turned slightly brown. A quick touch up with a moss green prisma color marker will quickly take care of that.

Container Gardening Tips

One of the seminars I went to at the Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show was about a huge interest of mine - container gardening! Here's a few of the highlights:

1. Pots are hot!
Classy ceramic containers are in this year, especially in cobalt blue, red, and chartreuse.

2. Bigger is better!
If your income is limited (and whose isn't these days!) invest in a large pot as opposed to several smaller pots. Larger pots make a more dramatic statement, allow for greater creativity, and are easier to care for.

3. Cram and jam!
Those of us that live in the north know that our container gardening season is all too short - so plant your containers generously from the beginning. You can always edit your container during the season if need be.

4. Have a lotta terra cotta!
Sorry, I think the bad humor of my pastor is rubbing off on me. While colorful ceramic pots are the latest trend this year, terra cotta is an enduring classic. Terra cotta goes with anything, and it's now available in many new shapes.

5. Thrillers, fillers, and spillers!
Your containers should include a plant with drama or height(thriller), plants of interest that are the main focus of your container(filler), and a plant that hangs down and softens the hard edges of your container (spiller).

6. Plant your veggies!
Ornamental vegetables are the new hot container plant trend this year. Try colorful veggies such as Lollo Rossa red lettuce, Bright Lights swiss chard, red cabbage, and Lavender Touch Eggplant. Edible nasturtium would add a nice dash of color as well, and of course herbs are a container gardening classic.

7. Pressed flowers are in!
I confess I made this one up. However, flowers that press well and look great in containers include pansies, osteospermum, lobelia, calendula, just to name a few. Add some colorful foliage plants to your pressed flower containers so that no one notices that you've snipped away a few of the flowers! Here's a comprehensive list of flowers that press well in case you're interested.

8. Have fun!

In need of color

Wave after wave of sleet is pounding against my windows this morning, The pristine white snow in my backyard and in the cornfield beyond is now a grey slush lake, which perfectly matches the sky.

I am in need of color. I am longing for spring.

Today was to be an "office day," so that I could catch up on my book work, send out some card samples, as well as work on the new template for my Elizabeth's Flower's website, but that will have to wait. I need to immerse myself in my pressed flowers for awhile.

For those who have been wondering, I still haven't heard anything from the art consulting firm (please see previous post). I'll let you know when I do!

Interview with Jennie Beecroft - Part 1

Today I'm happy to present you with the first part of my online interview with Jennie Beecroft of Beeline Productions - the manufacturer of my favorite tool, the Microfleur Microwave Flower Press.

Elizabeth: Jennie, thank you so much for agreeing to share a bit about yourself with us. Please tell us a little bit about you and your family, and where you're from.

Jennie: I was born and grew up in Melbourne (Victoria). As a child I was horse mad and when we moved to the acreage I was lucky enough to get a horse for Christmas when I was 12. Mistie and I were inseparable for many years and it was with great regret I sold her when I married. I now live north of Brisbane (Queensland), 20 minutes drive from the beach. I am still married
and have 2 sons, who live in Melbourne with their wives and 1 daughter who lives near us in Queensland. I also have 2 grandchildren (boy and girl) who live in Melbourne, which means I drive to Melbourne several times a year (2000klms home to Melbourne). Because of my husbands work we traveled and lived overseas a lot in the late 1980's and early 1990's, including China, Indonesia, Japan and England. We have been settled here since late 1993.

Elizabeth: When and how did your interest in pressing flowers begin?

Jennie: I always had a flower press with me on our travels and picked many a flower, leaf etc to put in the press. Usually though the result wasn't as great as I would like!
I used to make paper whilst we were overseas and included some of the pressed flowers. We now live on acreage and as I have always been interested in gardening it seemed logical to try and combine gardening and papermaking. I experimented a lot more and complained a lot more, especially about the time taken as I wanted to include the flower now.
Eventually my engineer husband came up with a flower press I could use in the microwave.

Elizabeth: What kind of pressed flower creations have you done? What are you working on now?

Jennie: Most of my pressed flowers are used in cards or in pictures - my mother is more 'creative' than I am and uses lots of barks and feathers in her work. I have also done put the flowers on cups (special occasion one use only), made lampshades, combined with water colour in paintings of gardens, and my latest fun thing is to combine the flowers in resin for use in beading.

Many thanks to Jennie, for sharing with us. On Friday we'll hear more about how the Microfleur actually came to be.

How to store pressed flowers

Reader friend Val recently asked:

"Elizabeth,
I'm having a bit of a dilemma. I have pressed and purchased so many flowers/botanicals over the past few years and I am now at my wits end trying to store/display them so I can find what I am looking for at a glance.

You know how it is when you are looking for just the right little piece of grass or leaf that curls in the right direction. Is there some way I can store all my large/small leaves, grasses, large/small pressed flowers, and all the bits and pieces that I need to find quickly and yet keep them all safe...flat...and accessible?

I have used small rectangular plastic tubs with lids and placed sheets of wax paper and thin cardboard to separate the different kinds of flowers etc. But it is becoming increasingly difficult and time consuming to lift out all the sheets until I find just the right piece I am looking for. There has to be a simpler way to organize these items.

I know that you probably have ten times the amount of pressed flowers etc. than I do and your time is precious as well. How do you keep yourself organized? Any help you could give me would be great!!!! Thanks in advance.....Val"
___________________________________________

Thanks so much for your question, Val. It is one that I continue to wrestle with, but I have come up with a few innovations for storing my pressed flowers that are working for me, and I also am aware of some storing techniques that other pressed flower artists use.

Read more about storing pressed flowers…