How To Press Flowers Quickly For Instant Creativity
A great way to liven up any room, any outfit or any day is to add flowers. Floral motifs add some life, color and romance. One of the easiest ways to get these patterns is to use actual blooms. If you know how to press flowers quickly, you can be creative in minutes.
People have been pressing blooms for ages. Every little girl goes through a phase where the pages of her dictionary are filled with pansies, daisies and fern leaves. Using a heavy book is the easiest method to use but some people also use a flower press, which basically consists of two pieces of wood joined together with screws that can be tightened.
The more traditional methods have some disadvantages. One is that they take time. In fact, the items you're pressing will only be ready for use after a couple of weeks. In addition, they often lose their vibrant colors. Moreover, the sap from the plants can cause stains and damage to books.
Fortunately there are ways of pressing plant matter by using modern technology. For instance, take a tile and place a piece of cardboard and a sheet of blotting paper on top. Place your flower in the position you want it and then cover it with another layer of paper and cardboard before placing another tile on top. Fasten the two tiles together with rubber bands and pop the whole thing in the microwave. Microwave it only for about ten seconds. Then check your flower and repeat the process until the flower is stiff and dry.
Another method involves the use of a clothes iron. Place your flower in between two sheets of paper and weigh it down with a heavy book to flatten it. Then set your iron to a low heat and keep it on the dry setting so that it won't steam. Remove the book and gently press down the warm iron onto the area where the flower is. Don't rub it and only keep the iron there for a few seconds at a time. Repeat until the flower is dry and stiff.
Applying heat has the advantage that it's quick. You'll have pressed plant materials ready for use within minutes. In addition, they will have retained their colors and vibrancy so that they look as if they're fresh from the garden.
Not all flowers are suitable for pressing. If they have a rounded shape, such as roses, or if they're shaped like a cup, such as tulips, they won't look good when they're flattened. However, you can press the petals separately. If you prefer a whole flower, choose one that has a flat shape, such as a pansy or a daisy.
There are many different ways in which to use pressed flowers. Aside from using them for making greeting cards and bookmarks, they can add a special touch to paper lampshades. Decorate everyday items such as cellphone cases with them or use them as the focal point in handmade jewelry. You can even make lovely floral Easter eggs. All you need is some glue, some pressed blooms and leaves and your imagination.
People have been pressing blooms for ages. Every little girl goes through a phase where the pages of her dictionary are filled with pansies, daisies and fern leaves. Using a heavy book is the easiest method to use but some people also use a flower press, which basically consists of two pieces of wood joined together with screws that can be tightened.
The more traditional methods have some disadvantages. One is that they take time. In fact, the items you're pressing will only be ready for use after a couple of weeks. In addition, they often lose their vibrant colors. Moreover, the sap from the plants can cause stains and damage to books.
Fortunately there are ways of pressing plant matter by using modern technology. For instance, take a tile and place a piece of cardboard and a sheet of blotting paper on top. Place your flower in the position you want it and then cover it with another layer of paper and cardboard before placing another tile on top. Fasten the two tiles together with rubber bands and pop the whole thing in the microwave. Microwave it only for about ten seconds. Then check your flower and repeat the process until the flower is stiff and dry.
Another method involves the use of a clothes iron. Place your flower in between two sheets of paper and weigh it down with a heavy book to flatten it. Then set your iron to a low heat and keep it on the dry setting so that it won't steam. Remove the book and gently press down the warm iron onto the area where the flower is. Don't rub it and only keep the iron there for a few seconds at a time. Repeat until the flower is dry and stiff.
Applying heat has the advantage that it's quick. You'll have pressed plant materials ready for use within minutes. In addition, they will have retained their colors and vibrancy so that they look as if they're fresh from the garden.
Not all flowers are suitable for pressing. If they have a rounded shape, such as roses, or if they're shaped like a cup, such as tulips, they won't look good when they're flattened. However, you can press the petals separately. If you prefer a whole flower, choose one that has a flat shape, such as a pansy or a daisy.
There are many different ways in which to use pressed flowers. Aside from using them for making greeting cards and bookmarks, they can add a special touch to paper lampshades. Decorate everyday items such as cellphone cases with them or use them as the focal point in handmade jewelry. You can even make lovely floral Easter eggs. All you need is some glue, some pressed blooms and leaves and your imagination.
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Card makers and artists can easily learn how to press flowers quickly with the help of our user manuals. For FAQs, simply visit the related homepage at http://www.microfleur.com.