Create a Pretty Picture (Pressing)

How about saving that pretty little flower you spotted in your garden? You can press the flower and frame it. To create a beautiful picture, to be admired all year long, you need just a few items. A flower press could be purchased, but I usually just use an old heavy book with non-coated (no shiny paper) pages.

I carefully pick the flower, a few leaves, and thin, fine stems. Open a hard-covered, old book, about 1/3 into the book. Lay the flower in between the pages. Do the same for the leaf and thin stem. Try to keep the leaves and thin stem as much intact as possible. Mark your place in the book with a small tab. ( This eliminates searching and possibly wrecking the flower) Close book, and place a weight on it. Be patient, at least a few weeks before opening the book. Keep flowers and leaves in book until ready to use.

Now get a sheet of acid-free paper or canvas, if you prefer. Carefully remove flowers and leaves from book and arrange on paper to create your picture. ( Be careful not to crush) Allow a margin area for the matting and frame. Now that you have them all in place where you want them; take white glue(clear drying) and lift flower with a knife and add a tiny dab of glue to paper and place the flower back in it's place. Repeat the process with the stems and leaves. Try not to smudge the glue on the paper. If you do, you can cover it with another flower or leaves, so your picture looks clean and attractive.

After your picture is dry, get your frame and matting ready. Wash the glass to be added to the frame. Carefully choose a color for the matting that will complement the picture. At this time you could take permanent marker and label your picture, on the front of the matting, if you choose to. Take the picture and place it on the picture frame cardboard, set the matting on top and center it as best as you can. Take a tiny piece of double-sided tape and tack the picture, matting and cardboard together, along the outside edge. Put glass back into frame and carefully add your picture. Secure back with tabs or whatever they provide. Sign the back and date.