How to Make Pressed Flower Arrangements

A delicate arrangement of pressed flowers makes excellent stationery or note cards. Once pressed, these flowers can be arranged to resemble a garden bouquet or simply displayed as a single bloom. With a little effort you can create a stunning display of your pressed flowers that will last forever.

Things You'll Need

• Assortment of Flowers & Leaves
• Note cards
• Stationery
• Tweezers
• Toothpick
• White Glue

Instructions

1. Choose flowers that have a only a few petals such as pansies or violets for you first attempt at creating pressed flowers. Queen Anne's lace is easy to press and makes a stunning display. Thick heavy flower heads do not press well and are not well suited for this project.

2. Arrange the flowers and leaves in a single layer on white paper. This paper should be absorbent and not too thin. Drawing paper will work well.

3. Cover the flowers with another piece of paper and apply a heavy weight to the flowers. You could use books, bricks, or even grandma's old iron. Allow the flowers to set, undisturbed for several days. Check the flowers to see if they are adequately dried. If they are still leathery, wait a few days and check again. Pressed flowers should be dry and brittle to the touch.

4. Select an assortment of pressed flowers and a few pressed leaves. Keep in mind the color of your background. You will want flowers with colors that will be a good contrast with the color of the paper. A white flower will look stunning against a rich blue background, but will fade away against a pale background.

5. Lift the flowers with a pair of tweezers and try out your arrangement on the paper you have chosen. Be careful not to break these delicate blooms.

6. Choose leaves for the background once you have decided on your basic arrangement.

7. Apply a thin layer of white glue to the back of the leaf with a toothpick. Press in place on the note card.

8. Continue to apply glue and press flowers in place, beginning with the major focal flowers.

9. Add smaller flowers to accent the arrangement.

10. Complete the project by covering the arrangement with clear contact paper to seal out moisture and protect the arrangement.