Well portia said she was pressing daffodils so I had to try it-I always thought they would be to bulky or to wet-well I am pleasantly surprised at how well they pressed.
3 minuets at half power in the microwave
I did these this afternoon.

Beautiful!!! Never tried using the microwave for that.

Thanks for sharing,
Joy

Ooooooo . . . that's so pretty!!

That is really pretty. Would you please explain more how you did that in the microwave. Placed between papers? Thanks
DJ

Hi DJ
You ask how I press the flowers
1. You need a old hard bound book (make sure it does not have gold in the lettering on the cover-so you do not get sparking in the microwave.
I use a old dictionary that I have had forever.
2. Toilet paper--2 pieces and 1 piece of regular computer paper
3. Pick flowers when they are not wet, but best if not at the hottest time of the day also. Don't forget to do leaves--really add to the final picture
4. Trim off the stems and place flower on one sheet of t. paper and cover with the second one.
Slip this into the folded computer paper and place into the book and press firmly down.
5. You can put many flowers in one book--then microwave the book at half power for 3 min.
Now I will say-play because you micro wave may be different than mine, so this is ball park time, you may want more or less
6. Remove book and place a weight on it and let it cool completely.
I often let them set for a week, but you can use them as soon as they are cool.
I make cards and wall plaques with them.
Ask any other questions that you may have.

Thank you soooo much for the directions. I am going to give it a try today. I have some flowers from my sister in laws passing last week and I would like to make a picture for my brother and add her picture and some of the flowers and then frame it. I currently have some in my flower press, but it takes a long time. Thanks again.
DJ

FanTAStic!!! And, beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing the instructions.

Ahhhh. I like the face-on position. I have been doing mine with the "horn" of the daffy in profile. Either way, It works best with flowers that have a horn of different color from the petals.

I guess I have to try to figure out how to run my microwave at half power. Just keeping them in the book (in a dry climate) takes several days. I'll try to post a scan of mine.

Well, here goes. The color faded on the leaves. Maybe the microwave would preserve the color.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Portia1972,

Hi Portia,
Yes, the two colors really help. Makes me wish now that I had planted some new bulbs last fall.
I finished a wall tile (I am planning on making the 4 seasons for my kitchen/dining room wall.)
But after seeing the side view I may have to play some more.
I like the micro wave for better color and then sealing them in the envirotex the colors seem to last for a long time. I have one tile that I have had for over a year and the colors are still just as vivid as when I did it.

That is a very nice tile. I think I will not use paper towels for pressing, any more. The "embossed" pattern transfers to the flower and I do not like the effect. I will try kleenex, next.

Our "Bleeding hearts" are blooming and I will try them.

Try Viva-I just bought some today, because someone said they use it and it does not have any pattern to it.
Connie

Our daffodils are almost gone, so I picked a lot to press, using kleenex.

The top card is a "Thank you" card, using a sheet protector and spray glue. The bottom uses puched paper; vellum for the butterflies.

I will be going on a trip, so no more card making for a while, but playing with grandchildren should make up for it.

connie, love your tile! I have some flowers that I am drying right now in a flower press. I was wondering if you would explain step by step how you did your tile with the pressed flower? and where do you find the envirotex? tfs, Janie

I use a 6x6 tile.
Clean it with alcohol
I make up a dummy page and arrange my saying and flowers before I start.
I put the saying on the tile first-can be regular paper with computer printing. Must be sealed with a clear sealer or spray that makes the print permanent, or it will smear. You can also use the water slip decals or the paper that is adhesive on the back.
I use a glue called yes glue-I put it on with a brayer-so that is smooths out real well. I am sure you could do the same with a rolling pin and probably with a stiff brush but the brayer just makes it easier.
I them carefully lift flowers and lightly press it into the glue-let dry and if any pedals are not fastened down, carefully blow under the pedal and with a pin or toothpick put a small amount of glue.
When completely dry you can put the envirotec on
I get mine at michaels.
I use 1 tablespoon of each bottle (2 tablespoons) and when it is mixed I pour over the top. I use a long bamboo skewer and carefully spread it from middle out Try not to let it drip off the edge, but it is does use pop cycle stick to clean it off. (If you have cat or dogs, vacuum good and try not to have floating cat hair-can you tell I have a cat)
after you spread, you can hoff on it (it tell you in the instructions) This will release the air bubble.
I alway set my tile on a full tin can (Heavy so it won't tip,) that way the edges can be cleaned easier, than if it is on a flat surface.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Connie Kru,

Connie....that is sooooo pretty. I love the poem. thanks for sharing.

Jean

That is also a very nice tile. I happened to be in Blick Art Supplies, and they had several sizes of Envirotex. It is not inexpensive, but for something like a tile, it should be very good.

I did a card and, after attaching the flower to the background with tiny spots of glue, I sprayed spray glue on the whole thing and then covered it with a piece of sheet protecter (and trimmed it). It seemed to work for an item that will not get much wear and tear.

What beautiful flowers you all dried. I have never tried the microwave either , but will have to try it. I wish my daffodils were not gone. I had no idea they could be pressed. Love all the things shown .

Hey, look around,
today I was out and found wild cherry in bloom and the nasty wild mustard-they both pressed very nice and with good color.
The pansies are beautiful now also.
I like to look at the weeds-I often find things.
I hope I can find some yellow clover, it is nice also.

I have been away two weeks chasing grandchildren(literally!). So I haven't been crafting. But I needed a card for our son and d-i-l's anniversary. The pansies I pressed before I left turned out well, so here are some.

BTW, Connie Kru: I have now tried the Viva paper towels nd I like them. Very absorbent, and no embossed pattern.

I also did a sympathy card for the family of an elderly (100+) Chinese lady who was a friend of ours. I found some handmade paper with applied squares of speckled paper, and cut out a square with some paper around it. I have Chinese character stamps and stamped the one for "love" in the center of the square. Inside, we are writing a bit about what the woman meant to us and our family. It is amazing what a really great piece of paper can do for one's card making!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Portia1972,

Looks great-
What kind of adhesive are you using??
Every time I see leaves, it reminds me-
Your are not pressing enough leaves Connie
I get so hung up on the flower, I forget it is the leaves that finish the picture
Connie

The cards and the tile are so beautiful. I don't think I could attempt the tile, much as I would like to.

With the cards, how do they stay on the card? Are they covered with something after being dried in the microwave?

Thank you for the nice words.

I use just the tiniest bit of craft glue on the back of the flower or leaf. Then I attach it to the cardstock backing. Then I spray the flowers and backing with spray glue from the art store, and cover with a piece of sheet protector. I have been using the somewhat stiff kind that comes with a piece of paper in the middle, as I happen to have some of those. I trim the paper and sheet protector and attach them to the card with glue.

I also neglected leaves, until I looked carefully at some finished pieces online and realized how much leaves add. They do not always hold their color well but, if necessary, I will add a little watercolor to spruce them up.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Portia1972,

Glad to see everyone pressing flowers/leaves but you could also press things like Parsley, herbs... I have been making for years... something I called "petal paper"...I press tiny flowers, i.e. lobelia is wonderful and BLUE... between two pieces of waxed paper.. (like you used to do in girl scouts)...long sheets of waxed paper thus making my "petal" paper for gift wrapping... Indeed... look at pressing FERNS as well.. they come out beautiful..

Good luck everyone... Herblady

Portia - Thank you for the instructions _ I really must try this. I copied the instructions as to how today, and have been out searching for that right flower. My own are not grown enough yet.

Herblady, what a wonderful idea. What is waxed paper (sorry to sound silly). Don't suppose you have a any pictures of these?

Sorry no pics... haven't graduated to a digital camera as of yet... and the fact that you question wax paper really affirms the fact that I AM behind the times... LOL, LOL...
Wax paper (e.g. Cut Rite by Reynolds) is found near the Reynolds foil wrap in the stores...
A traditional girl scout craft used to be (at least in my days) to find beautiful fall leaves and press them between two pieces of this wax paper with a dry, (no steam) low setting on your iron...

Herblady

Hi am from the UK is there a Reynolds here? I am 58 so no spring chicken ha ha!

Could you mean grease proof for cooking? Again sorry to sound dim - I will get there in the end!

Jennissw: Sorry... actually Reynolds is the name of a Company that makes the product called: Cut Rite wax paper... it is a product used to wrap sandwiches, foods, etc. and has a very waxy finish... Perhaps if you went under "google" and put in the Reynolds company it would come up with their web site and their products... Hope this helps...
I'm always "catching up lately"... LOL, LOL

Herblady