Peeking at Pressed Flowers for Crafts and Arrangements - Part 1 

Appreciate the positive comment and that is what makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for watching, Em

Glad this helps. I like to share my love for pressed flowers and hope it inspires others:-)

Hi, some botancials can be pressed in parts or just the petals - if they are large. Think outside of the box for ways to create with flowers and/or leaf parts. They can also be beautiful to work with:-) Em

Hi Nancy, so wonderful to hear you are pressing some now. They are really fun to play around with and I love how beautiful they are. In regard to putting flowers on canvas, the main thought would be how are you going to protect/cover the flowers once applied to the canvas. Two main things come to mind: 1) Glass if that fits with the depth of the frame and overall plan, using the canvas and artist techniques for the background of your flower arrangement or 2) some sort of clear sealer/protection over the top of the flowers. In the case of #2, something like a Mod Podge or clear glaze medium comes to mind. The main consideration with a medium like this is that it can affect the look of the flowers and make them more transparent. There are many things that can protect flowers including laminates, contact paper, acetate and so on. But IMHO if you can use glass (regular or anti-glare) that would leave the flowers looking the most natural. If you opt for medium over the top test some flowers on card stock first to see if you like the results. There are also clear sprays you could try. It all depends upon the look you are going for. This is what I like about using pressed flowers - there are so many options and it is interesting to experiment. I have a video showing some of the things I make with them here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A1C2XVqGDgc.html

ems-gallery thanks so much for your ideas. They are truly valuable. Sounds like I need to experiment. Happy Pressing!

Nancy Kent aaaaa

Hi, yes I reuse the paper/s unless, or until, they get to mangled or dirty. Most of the time they are fine. Thank you for watching, Em

Hi Mariana, any good absorbent paper will work. In a pinch I have even used copy paper. I have lots of videos about pressing flowers you may want to check out that goes into more detail. Thanks for watching!

Hi ms ems how long do u have it to dry i tried but the result is not bright color at it is. Y ? Any problem or any technique?

Hi, it takes about two weeks. Some less, some longer depending upon how thick they are or the botanical. I do rotate the paper sandwich that has the flowers in the middle to a dry book at least twice during the process to help keep them from turning brown. Thank you for watching, Em

Hi, appreciate the interest. This playlist ru-vid.com/group/PLxKiESd8bksPM7eVR0lFKQdlBlT__v66L for pressing flowers may help. I have shared many tips and techniques about how these results are achieved. Thank you for watching, Em

Hi Chloe, Since I press and store in the same paper sandwich, many of the botanicals have a spot on them (sap like substances) that will stick to the paper. Need to be careful when taking off the paper for use. For the ones that don't stick to the paper, I have not had any major issues with them breaking. Sometimes when I put the page back down I mess up some petals, but then just use individual petals that don't get creased. There are many ways to store them, so see what works best for you:-) Thanks for watching, Em

Hi, same paper I press them with. Once they are put on the paper for pressing, that is what they stay until used in a project. Right now that is basically a copy paper. Just needs to be smooth and absorbent. Not anything slick or glossy. This playlist pretty much covers my technique for the results I get ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2jsMvgfyh0Y.html especially videos 2 and 3 in the playlist. Hope this helps, Em

Hi, any absorbent paper will work. The smoother the better, and if you can find some on the thicker side, even better. Copy paper works in a pinch, Em

Hi Cathy, this is how I store them once dried. I put then in the books with about 3 to 6 pages between each flower sandwich and use a sticky to mark each one so I know what's on the page. Check out this playlist ru-vid.com/group/PLxKiESd8bksPv8mxOA0zcCHIyXBBQWv4Y for how I actually press the flowers. Hope this helps and thanks for watching:-)

Hi, I prefer paper that is absorbent and parchment paper, like wax paper, is not really absorbent. You can try news paper or copy paper if that is all you have on hand.

@@emsplace Thanks. I've been using flyers because there's a lot in our mail. But, it's a lot of work to cut them. I'll try copy paper for a more eve size.

Hi, right now I am using a brownish paper I have had for years on the bottom, and regular copy paper on the top. Newspaper (so long as the ink does not bleed - test first) also works well. Just be sure it is not glossy. You want the paper to be absorbent and smooth texture. Thank you for watching, Em

Hi Sheerin, don't give up. It takes a little experience, trial and/or error to get flowers pressed without turning brown. IMHO, the most critical time is after the first 48 hours. This is why I put them in a paper sandwiches. That way I can remove the flower sandwich from the first book/magazine they are in, and let it sit out in the air for a few hours (don't open the paper sandwich holding the flowers because they will get ruined since still to damp). Then use a fresh, dry book/magazine to put the flower sandwich in, put weight back on top and continue to press. I usually leave the second round for about five days, and then do this rotation again. All in all, usually two/three transfers to dry books/magazines before flowers are dry - total of about two to three weeks pressing depending upon how wet or thick the flowers are to start with. It is also best NOT to use slick or glossy paper, books/magazines etc. Some items, like impatients, are to wet to press no mater what. It also helps to know what flowers hold their color well and are easy to press. Testing and experience helps here. Just have fun and experiment. As you try more flowers/leaves you will become more successful:-)

@@emsplace thank you so much Mam...😘😘

HI, Most of the botanicals I press come through good since I have learned over the years what presses and holds color well. Many things will mellow or loose color over time - and never keep in sunlight. I do often color enhance when I want to make something special to last for many years. To get them through the pressing cycle, I rotate the flower sandwiches to fresh/dry books or magazines (absorbent paper) a couple of time during the process. There are videos on the channel that go into more detail about how I press and store flowers/leaves. Some things don't press very well if they contain too much water, so just play around with different things. Hope this helps and have fun:-) Em

@@emsplace do you have instagram account? I really like the ways you press flowers

@@kimmietruong2662 Thank you for the nice comment. Sorry to say I don't have an instagram account.

Hi, it is phlox. Thanks for watching, Em