Pressed-Flower Pictures by Ann Hossenlopp and Ernest Schaufler A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication Information Bulletin 34Nature’s long-lasting beauty will brighten your home when You Frame yout ow pressed flowers. The an of making pressed-dower pictures began over three hundred years ago in England during the sixteenth century when botanists decided to record plants by pressing and mounting them, From this historic, scholarly beginning, interest in making pressed-flower pictures has grown, and they have been made by artists and creative hobbyists in many coun: tries throughout the world. Easily assembled fiom readily av material, pressed-lower pictures give highly satisfying results and make longilasting, lovely decora tions ‘This bulletin explains the proce dures involved in selecting appropriate plant material and drying it propery, describes the six basic types of dried-flower picture designs, gives you step- by-step directions for making your own attractive pictures, and offers suggestions for making the pictures a5 a group activity. Figure 1. Typical triangular fower arrangementNecessary Equipment Preparing a Press “1, Picture frame with glass and To make attractive pressed flower Plant Press sti backing, preferably 5 «7 pictures, you will need a way to Plant presses are useful for large- inches. fiaten your plant material evenly scale pressing. They are easy to : , and fimly. Ifthe plants are not make’ and well worth the effon a pipes under enough pressure as they involved. A press can be made Mapes Te aeconnmdate presede they wll pucker and wil not with ww pieces of phwond one aden so aconram oe es lic evenly under the glass when quarter to one-half inch thick Panne Obes atone they have been framed. Two You can determine the outside mabe yoo ewes dt hes common methods of Datiening dimensions that sal make your iey ra fale. Bak plants are by using books and by press most convenient. Presses Hert ebc chokes ccbend on Using presses ae frequent 12 by 18 inches Recor ofthe presed plan” Book Method Bor you nay ind tat a ess 9 used. Thick books that are weighted DY. 1? inches is handier if you are working with small plants. ‘The materials to be pressed should be folded berween sheets down with other books or a concrete block are frequently used for small-scale pressing. 3. Tweezers to handle and place the britde dried material. f absorbent paper and then 4. Household glue to hold the Flowers and leaves should be e R larger pieces and aso to secure sandwiched beoween sheets of Placed berveen sheets of card fibre tay 10 sf picture facia tssue or consrocton oc ard the same iz as the press backing blotting paper to speed diving to Resianeiaie cue BOP the plant material, absorbent paper, and the cardboard are placed insicle the press, itis and placed directly into the book Sami cists wo cok ple before the weights are added material to size and to dip out bulky areas in which material is subjected to pressure generated overlapped to create depth in the by weights such as bricks or design cinder blocks, or by straps or ropes that can be pulled tightly 6. Toothpicks to apply small ound fe spots of glue fo lowers. 7. Several sizes of anist’s brushes - (0 dean specks and dust from AN | the finished design, especially Lio when velveteen is used as a 5 background. 8. An assonment of pressed flowers and leaves collected during the growing season (0 furnish a good selection of color and a variety of shapes.