I'm pressed to remember summer! Flower and Leaf Press

 

It was time to make one of these for my mom since she has an amazing garden and is always pressing flowers in books. I thought a lot about whether to use blotter paper or newspaper and I think that to make this project more cost effective (it’s already inexpensive to make) using regular newspaper just makes more sense.  It works just as well.  This is 8 1/2 by 11 inches so that it’s easy to find paper that fits into it.

 YOU’LL NEED:

One belt with a slide buckle or belt with D rings so that it’s easy to tighten.  You probably have one in your closet that you don’t wear anymore.  Also, try the Goodwill for a belt, they have tons.

2 pieces of 1/2 inch thick ply wood cut to 8 1/2 by 11 inches

Sandpaper

Jigsaw

Drill with 1/4 inch bit

Newspaper cut to 8 1/2 by 11 inches

Cardboard pieces that are 8 1/2 by 11 inches

White printer paper 8 1/2 by 11 inches (standard size)

Flowers and leaves that you want to dry and press

 HERE’S HOW:

*Cut out your plywood pieces to 8 1/2 by 11 inches and sand them.

*On one of the pieces of plywood, you will drill about 20 holes all the way through.  This will allow moisture in the leaves and flowers to escape more easily.

 *Cut out 6-8 corrugated cardboard pieces 8 1/2 by 11 inches.

*Cut 12-16 sheets of newspaper to 8 1/2 by 11 inches

*Gather the leaves and flowers you want to press.  Work fast because the sooner you get them drying the more color they retain.

 *Start to layer your papers. Wood, cardboard, newspaper, plain white paper, flower, plain white paper, blotting paper, cardboard, then repeat your layers etc.

 *Place the other piece of wood on top and tighten the belt around all of the layers.

HINT: Your color retention will be better if you put the flowers between sheets of paper and then change just the newspaper at least every couple of days. The flowers will turn brown if they don't dry quickly enough.

  

This project and 150 more in THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS.

Look for THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS VOL. 2 in October.....Even S"ASS"IER!

Comments

[A Twitter User]

No wonder that weeping willow was so de-pressed. :-)

[Lisa McDonald]

This looks like something my youngest daughter would love to do.

Wanted to let you know that I received my Big Ass books today along with all the extra goodies. I'm in crafting heaven. Thanks for offering such a fun give-a-way.