I was reading the Grass Stain Guru the other day and something she said in her post sparked my memory. Even though she wasn't writing about pressing flowers, she used it as an analogy. That was enough to remind me that I want to write about pressing flowers. And since I love her site so much, I wanted to sneak in a little plug for her as well.

We are getting to the end of wildflower season here, but there are still plenty out in the woods and meadows. There are still plenty in my garden. No time like the present to press some flowers.

Here's what you do.

Follow up:

First you get yourself a press. This can be a fancy, store-bought press (see below), one you made, or simply a book.

Make a press

1. Cut two pieces of plywood (or whatever you have laying around) to your desired size. I like a 12 X 12 sized press.
2. Cut several pieces of blotting paper (or newspaper) and cardboard to fit between the pieces of wood.
3. Alternate the layers of cardboard and blotting paper and stack between the wood pieces as follows: cardboard, 2 pieces of blotting paper and cardboard. Continue this pattern for as many layers as you like.
4. Place flowers between the pieces of blotting paper.
5. Use two straps to wrap around the press and pull tight. Wait a couple weeks, then enjoy your pressed flowers.

Book press

Place flower between 2 sheets of paper to protect the pages of the book. Leave at least 1/8" of pages between pressings, weigh the book down and wait a couple of weeks.

You can put the book with flowers and paper in the microwave and zap in short bursts, (30 seconds to a minute at a time, checking between to see if they're done.) Repeat until almost done, then put in a another book or press to finish.

I use my flower identification book so I have a sample the next time I head out.

Tips for choosing flowers

Look for flowers that will lay flat without being too bulky.
Know that the colors of most flowers will fade when they dry.
Never pick flowers that are rare or in places where it is forbidden. I don't like to pick flowers unless they are a lot of other ones nearby.

Once you have a bevy of pressed flowers they can be used to decorate note cards, bookmarks or whatever you like!

Here are a couple cute pressed I found.

Waldorf Wooden Flower Press

Flower Press by Caroline Tiger

Alex My Wooden Flower Press - 7" x 7"