Pressed Flower Artists: A great tip, from a kind reader...

Back in September, Marj from Ontario emailed me with several questions about using Perfect Paper Adhesive (my go-to pressed flower sealant), but unfortunately she had one question I couldn't help her with.

She was having trouble using the PPA to seal pressed flowers that she had glued onto card stock, because in sealing the flowers with the PPA, a slight amount of PPA would get onto the card stock, causing it to warp. Because I glue my flowers onto my absorbent handmade paper, I've never dealt with warping, and didn't have an answer for her.  But, recently Marj emailed me again, with a solution for her problem:

"In September you kindly answered questions I had about the Perfect Paper Adhesive. I have been having great success with the product since then and am so grateful for your help. I think that I was probably using a bit too much initially. Sometimes I 'top coat' the plant material first, placing it on a piece of baker's parchment paper (which can be re-used many times) to dry without sticking. Then I adhere the chosen bits to my card design. It is so reassuring to think that they are then hardy enough for the postal service."
   
I love the idea of "top coating!" I can see that coming in handy for a number of different projects I have planned, especially one involving rice paper...  Marj also included the above Christmas card, and she says:

"...the 'balls' on the tree are hole punched from an autumn Bergenia leaf which turned a lovely red, and the star is a bit of Queen Anne's Lace."


Great ideas Marj!  Thanks so much for sharing them, and your art with us!

Daffodils

God made a masterpiece when He made daffodils, didn't He?

It's looking like spring might have been canceled in Wisconsin this year, but if you've been blessed with spring weather where you are, you might find this question and answer about pressing daffodils useful:

Dear Elizabeth,

I am an English A Level student currently studying art in my first year. For my exam I am creating a collage based around daffodils including photographs and painting but would also like to include dried out daffodils, but am at a loss where to start! I wanted to include a large proportion of the stem (to give a 'still planted' impression) so the microfleur press doesn't seem to be large enough!

Do you have an suggestions or advice? I'm sorry if I have missed anything already mentioned on your website (which is wonderful by the way!) about this specific flower. I appreciate that you obviously get a lot of emails but I await your reply as daffodils are, sadly, briefly seasonal.

Thanks, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

Thank you for your kind compliment regarding my site. Your collage sounds like it will be very interesting! I'd love to see it.

If I were you, I'd press the flower in the Microfleur, and press the stem (and leaves?) separately in a large book. The stem and leaves will probably turn brown, but you could recolor them with a green leaf colored marker (Prismacolor markers are good). Also, since daffodil stems are thick, try slicing them in half.

Hope this helps!

Kind Regards, Elizabeth

to blend or not to blend... question and answer

Hi Elizabeth:
Could you please answer a question for me. I have been surfing the web for information regarding paper-making. The one thing they all have in common is using a blender. I'd like to know if a food processor could be used instead. If not.....why a blender?? Just curious!!! I know you sell a paper-making kit which I may purchasing a little later.

Thank-you......... Val

Hi Val, Thanks for writing!

You know, I’m not sure! I don’t know that much about food processors – I only use mine for making bread dough or pesto. I do know that blenders are capable of “liquefying” just about anything, and for paper making you need enough power to separate and isolate each and every fiber so that it can be suspended in liquid. I don’t know if food processors are powerful enough for that.

On a more practical side, food processors can be quite expensive, and adequate blenders can be found for less than $20.00 at discount stores, or for even less at Goodwill, rummage sales, etc.

I would recommend getting a hold of an inexpensive blender, and using it only for paper making (it’s hard to get a blender really clean after making paper in it). Once you try paper making you’re sure to get hooked, and having a blender dedicated to paper making will be well worth your investment.

Speaking of making paper, my paper making kits have been out of stock for a number of weeks, because the man who was hand crafting the wooden frames used for the mold and deckles was unable to continue. Recently I've been able to obtain a limited number, so thankfully my paper making kits are back in stock for the time being. (Note: you might have to hit the "refresh" button in order to get rid of the "out of stock" message on my website)

I'm still looking for a skillful retired woodworker to hire, so if you know of anyone in south east Wisconsin or north east Illinois please let me know!

Good old Elmer's

Hi Elizabeth,

I am having sooooo much fun with the Microfleur flower press I ordered from you. I am making all kinds of cards. Birthday, graduation etc.
I am using dogwood blooms. I read somewhere that if you use a white flower you will need to treat it, in order for it to stay white. Is this true? If so what do I use?

Also, I am covering them with a clear paper and gluing the edges. Do you cover yours? What kind of glue do you use?
Thank you so much!

Nancy from Oklahoma

Dear Nancy,

I’m thrilled to hear that you are enjoying your new Microfleur and making lots of cards! Sorry that it took me so long to get back to you, but I’ll try to answer all your questions.

Regarding white flowers: I don’t press a lot of white flowers, but you’re right, they do tend to turn an ivory color after awhile. I have heard that people who use standard air flower presses (not the Microfleur) use Bon Ami cleanser… they put a little in a plastic zip lock bag and shake it very carefully, and then dust off the excess, and press as usual. I don’t know about using this method with the Microfleur in the microwave – I would worry about possible fumes from the cleanser. I have occasionally touched up Queen Anne’s Lace with diluted white acrylic paint to enhance their whiteness after pressing, and perhaps that would work with your dogwood blossoms.

I don’t cover the flowers on my cards with anything, although I know a number of pressed flower artists use clear contact paper. I glue down my pressed flowers well on a fairly thick piece of handmade paper, which is then mounted on heavy cardstock, so the flowers have a sturdy, stiff foundation to rest on, which protects them from the average trip through the US mail.

I have tried a number of different glues, including a pricey “botanical glue”, but have always come back to plain old Elmer’s Glue. It’s strong yet gentle on flower tissues, and best of all, it’s inexpensive! I buy it in the small children’s bottles, which are just the right size for precise control. Note: I now only use Perfect Paper Adhesive to adhere my pressed flowers!

There! I think that I’ve answered all your questions, but if you have more, just ask!

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth

Pressing African Daisies in the Microfleur

Note: Every so often I get specific questions from readers. I've decided to start sharing a few of them with you. If you have any questions regarding flower pressing techniques, flower garderning questions, or starting up your own handmade card business, please feel free to ask. I'd love to help!

Hi Elizabeth,

Have you tried pressing African daisies with the Microfleur? If you have, could you tell me how you do it? I either burn them or undercook them. Thanks!
Andria from California

Hi Andria,

Yes, I press osteospermum which are part of the same family, and they can be a bit tricky. But, the results are well worth it!

First of all, for best results, try to pick young flowers, as soon as they’ve fully opened, after the morning dew has dried.

To avoid scorching them, I press them in the Microfleur for two or three 30 second intervals with a minute or two between each interval. Then, leaving the flowers inside the cotton liners, I place them on the counter and allow them to fully cool, and then press them again for one or two more 30 second intervals after they’ve rested. If I’m pressing many of them, I might let them sit out overnight, and complete their pressing the next morning.

Keep in mind every microwave is different, but the main point is to let them cool in between microwave intervals. I hope this helps, Andria!

Elizabeth