Celebrate the End of Summer with Pressed Flowers

The end of summer is a great time for collecting flowers to press and preserve for crafts. This is a great use for the family dictionary or that unused phone book. Sheets of plain paper placed between pages offer a clean surface to arrange samples. 

Arrange your flowers carefully keeping in mind how they will look when pressed. Some look better open with petals all around while others might lay flat best on a side. Add a second sheet of plain paper on top of the first and then close the book, adding another book or a rock or brick on top for added weight and pressure. You can fill one book with several pages of flowers. 

It is best to sandwich each set of flowers between plain paper to protect both the book and the flowers. Leave the flowers in the books for several weeks so that they dry and flatten.

If kids are curious, it won't hurt the flowers to check on them. Just remember they are fragile so be careful closing the book again. Once flowers are dry and flattened they will be delicate and are best handled and arranged inside away from a draft that could blow them away. 

Apply a thin layer of glue to colorful paper and carefully arrange flowers. Once dry, they can be carefully coated with another thin layer of glue or acrylic to seal them to the paper.

Pressed flowers can also be combined with drawing, painting or collage for interesting mixed media effects. They make a unique and special decoration for greeting cards. If you have a favorite flower, try scanning it on a flat-bed scanner to replicate for personalized stationary.

Practice your design skills by combining like flowers or colors into patterns, shapes, and arrangements. Placed in a simple frame these can be a striking decoration and a lovely memory of your summer garden or favorite wildflowers. Have fun with preserving a bit of summer's beauty to enjoy all year round.