DIRECTIONS to PRESS FLOWERS:

Many different types of flowers can be pressed successfully. Some recommended flowers are:
Buttercups, Queen Ann's Lace, Pansies, Johnny-Jump-ups, Vinca, Impatiens, Verbeena, and most all wild flowers and herbs.

To press my flowers, I use the Yellow pages of a Telephone book. Flowers dry faster in the yellow pages. I think it is something in the dye. The secret in preserving the flowers color, is to remove moisture quickly. The yellow pages do the trick.
When I travel, I carry a Phone book with me, so I can cut and press as I see flowers I would like to use in my art.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED WITH THIS CRAFT:

1. Carry Telephone book on trips.
2. Do not pick flowers in early morning, when they are wet with dew.
3. Do not pick after a rainfall.
4. Best to pick flowers when it is dry and sunny.
5. The term "Pressing" is used in this Art - (not drying).
6. No phone book? - then pick and put flowers in a plastic bag, until you are able to press them. Pat dry, and press in phone
book as soon after as possible.
7. Things you can decorate with Pressed flowers: Notes, stationery, pictures on velvet or paper -(to frame), Decoupage,
Calligraphied poems and sayings, paperweights, Sun catchers, Trays, Placemats, etc......Just use your imagination.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

1. Flowers or weeds, that have been pressed for approximately one or more weeks.
2. Note paper
3. Clear contact paper
4. Glue - (Sobo or Elmer's)
5. Tweezers
6. Scissors
7. Ruler
8. Toothpicks
9. Cut-outs of Baskets, vases, etc. from magazines, greeting cards, etc. to make Collages - (Optional)
10. Magic markers, to outline notes - (Opt.)
11. Calligraphy pens - to get creative!
12. Frames - to frame your work!

That's about it. If you try this Craft, have fun. That's what it is all about.

Enjoy,
Elaine Hompesch