Have you used REAL flowers on your cards?

[trulyblessed]

If so, how did you dry them? I have a gazillion violas of every size & color growing in my yard and tried a few drying methods, but they crumble when I try to use them....any ideas?

[Cynergy]

I've dried flowers in the microwave and used them on cards. Be sure to use a sealant on the whole card front when it's complete.

They really are pretty and I've gotten many compliments.

Cyn

[Cathy H]

I dry them in the phone book between layers of tissue paper. I used to use paper towels but most of them left an imprinted pattern on the flowers that I didn't want.

Sometimes I forget they are in there until I look up a number!

[gale]

I have this flower drying thing. It's made of terra cotta and you put some kind of absorbent paper in between the two pieces (with the flowers between the absorbent pieces) and then rubber band the terra cotta things together. Like a sammich. Then you let it sit, I think, until they dry. I can't remember now-it's been so long since I used it. I got it on clearance a long long time ago.

[trulyblessed]

I don't have problems drying them, it's putting them on the card...how? they tend to crumble when dries/pressed, so wondering how you do it

[gale]

I think I used mod podge on them. Gosh it's been so long-I wish I could remember. I know it was something brushed on. Another idea is to put it behind vellum or acetate (completely enclosed). Hey that gives me an idea. Put the flower on then a square of vellum/acetate and sew the edges.

[Cathy H]

What I did was --- using sticky paper, place the flowers directly on the sticky, put some leaves as well. Cover it as much as you can but DON'T overlap. Press them down gently to be sure they are in complete contact with the paper - especially the little fragile edgess. Then dump gold embossing powder on the whole thing. You might have to gently brush some specks off the flowers - but then CAREFULLY heat it. Use a gold pen to "fill in" if necessary. Turned out beautiful.

[davesgram]

Have to try some of these techniques. Love dried flowers, never make my own though.

[davesgram]

Cathy,
Why "gold" embossing powder? Does that hide the color or detail of the flower? I would think clear. Or am I missing something in the directions?

[Cathy H]

We used gold and it looked great. Keep in mind that what you are embossing is the spaces between the flowers/leaves - the idea is to NOT get it on the flowers. Clear wouldn't work - colored would be OK - but gold is beautiful. Then also remember that we had to touch up a little with a gold pen afterwards

[Mrs Noofy]

I have used silica gel to dry flowers. It was all the rage 20 years ago when everyone was decorating with dead roses and stuff lol. The petals seemed to be more pliable and softer when dried. I have no idea if they still make the stuff...it used to come in a large ice cream like container.

[trulyblessed]

Thank you all...off to get some silica (was recommended by florist) at Michael's....hope this works!

[pressed4time]

I have been pressing flowers for years & have learned several ways of using pressed flowers on cards from this on-line organization I belong to: www.wwpfg.org

Here are some methods:
1. Cut two pieces of self laminating sheets (same size). Or if you have a hot laminator, use that. Apply your dry, pressed flowers and leaves to the bottom layer of laminate. Cover your design with the other piece and attach inside the front cover of an aperture card.
2. Place a small dot of Aileen's tacky glue in just the center of the back of the flower, and arrange on a piece of cardstock just a bit smaller than your card. When the glue is dry, spray the card front and flowers with any spray adhesive and cover with light weight tulle. Trim tulle neatly and use on card front with a die-cut frame or aperture card.
3. If you just want to use a pressed flower on the front of a stamped card, you can hot laminate the dry, pressed flowers, cut them out and attach with glue dot.

There is a ton of information relating to pressing and using pressed flowers for members of the WWPFG!
Lynn

[pressed4time]

Just read the post regarding silica gel. Don't think this will work if you intend to use the flowers on a card. Silica will dry the plant material, but it will be 3 dimensional. Don't know how you would protect the flowers from damage.

You want to use a method that dries and PRESSES the flowers. There are many methods...microwave, traditional presses, etc. Do a search on flower presses to see many different ways. Pansies and violas press well using most methods. I use a microwave press.
Lynn

[Stampingmathilda]

I often use pressed Hydrangea flowers on sympathy cards. You can put them behind vellum as I did here:
http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com...uwkaartje.html

[trulyblessed]

Thank you for the new info...will try other methods first before silica.....was hoping you could just spray flower with a sealant and add to card that way. Guess I will just have to experiment

[queensuzanne]

Originally Posted by Cathy H

What I did was --- using sticky paper, place the flowers directly on the sticky, put some leaves as well. Cover it as much as you can but DON'T overlap. Press them down gently to be sure they are in complete contact with the paper - especially the little fragile edgess. Then dump gold embossing powder on the whole thing. You might have to gently brush some specks off the flowers - but then CAREFULLY heat it. Use a gold pen to "fill in" if necessary. Turned out beautiful.

Do you think a Xyron would work???? I have one that I've never used actually..........

[queensuzanne]

Originally Posted by Stampingmathilda

I often use pressed Hydrangea flowers on sympathy cards. You can put them behind vellum as I did here:
http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com...uwkaartje.html

I love this idea....!!!

[KittyKumar]

Violas and pansies also work great if you pound them.... Lay the flower on paper and a sheet of wax paper over the top. Pound them with a mallet (wood does not dent the paper a badly as a metal hammer). The colors from the flowers will imbed? stain? dye? the paper in the shape of the flower.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2093892_crea...tationery.html


Chris

[trulyblessed]

Thank you Kitty...interesting

[chocolate rose]

I use a product called Liquid Laminate by Beacon. I put a few dots of the laminate down on the paper, and use tweezers to place the flower (s), let it set up for a minute or two, then CAREFULLY use a paintbrush to put some of the laminate on top of the flower, covering it fully. You will find if you brush out from the centre of the flower, you will have less chance of tearing the petals. Michaels carries the Liquid Laminate- I don't remember how much it was. It does work, and the flowers look very pretty. This is what I do with my violas, after I have pressed them in my flower press. It takes a few days to press them and they dry out. I gave away all my samples, so I have nothing to show you. I have some new violas coming up, so I will be pressing and laminating again soon.

[pressed4time]

Than you for this tip! I have used PPA, a product called Botanical glue, and Modge Podge with mixed success (some products turn the pressed flowers strange colors). I have Liquid Laminate in my craft room and will give that a try.
Lynn

[davesgram]

Isn't silica gel that stuff you get in boxes (shoes, etc) in small packets??

[gale]

Originally Posted by davesgram

Isn't silica gel that stuff you get in boxes (shoes, etc) in small packets??

Yes but you need a lot to dry flowers. You have to cover the entire flower with it.

[davesgram]

ok, thanks, thought so. I like many of the other methods though.

[Cook22]

I sometimes just use PVA glue watered down so that it's thin enough to paint onto the back of the flowers with a soft brush (one of my watercolour brushes). Cards like this have gone through the post and arrived in good condition. In the end, though, the flowers will fade - but they'll do that no matter what way you mount them, I find.