PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Immortalize scenes of summer with this quick method to produce beautiful pressed flowers.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Collect a variety of fresh flowers and leaves, keeping colors and shapes in mind.
  • Try to avoid large, bulky flowers such as roses.
  • Make sure you are collecting flowers from places where you have permission to do so.
  • A pair of scissors or snips can help during the collection process.
• Fold sheets of paper in half, widthwise.
• Cut 2 pieces of corrugated cardboard to same size as folded paper or in a single piece large enough to hold the papers like a folder.
• Place fresh flowers and leaves in a single layer within each piece of folded paper. Use more or less paper as needed.
• Sandwich folded papers between the corrugated cardboard pieces.
• Secure the whole package together with rubber bands.
• Place package in the microwave for 1 minute.
• Let package cool for a few minutes before removing from the microwave.
• Remove rubber bands and open package.
• Carefully open each folded paper, checking on the status of your flowers and leaves.
• Gently remove the items and set them aside.

Summer Reading Bookmarks:

• Cut contact paper at approximately 7″ x 4.”
• Fold contact paper down the middle, lengthwise, with the backing paper on the inside of the fold.
• Experiment with flower placement and try different design layouts.
• When ready, set flowers aside, then remove the backing paper from the adhesive.
• Place flowers where desired.
• Refold contact paper so both halves line up, securing flowers in place.
• Use the handle of scissors to press contact paper around the flowers.
• Cut any excess edges.
• Use a hole punch to make the hole near the top/center of the bookmark.
• Loop a length of embroidery thread through the hole.
• Thread beads onto embroidery thread and knot in place.
• Add extra adhesive embellishments as desired.

Multi-Use Decorations:

• Cut a length of clear packing tape and place sticky-side up, by folding about ½ inch of each end under and securing to a hard surface.
• Place leaves and flowers along the strip of tape, as desired. • Stretch out more packing tape at a length slightly longer than the first piece.
• Place the second piece of tape, sticky side down, over the flowers on the first piece.
• Press tape together securely.
• Pull or cut the tape away from your surface and trim any excess or uneven edges.
• Use your new, clear flower banner as a votive embellishment (just tape the ends together), sun catcher or cut up into pieces for a mobile (use hole punch for hanging points)!

RELATED RESOURCES

• Many more dried flower crafts can be found here!

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