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Pressed Flower Keepsakes

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-822 -- More Projects »
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Decorate clear plates with pressed flowers from special occasions.
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Use dried, pressed flowers to create colorful coasters. See instructions below.
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Give a lampshade a custom look with dried flowers covered with sheer material. Just follow the steps below.
Recycling artist Chris Mobley shows how to create decorative items with pressed flowers.

Flower Plate

Materials:

fresh flowers
scissors
white paper
heavy book
inexpensive clear glass plate
decoupage medium
polyurethane

Steps:


  1. Start with a fresh flower--the fresher it is, the more color it will retain. Bulkier flowers such as roses, Gerbera daisies or carnations are not the best choice for pressing. You can even use individual petals from a bulky flower rather than the whole bloom.

  2. Cut off the back of the flower so it will lay flat when pressed.
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Figure A
  • Place blooms on a plain piece of white paper (figure A), then fold over the paper or place another sheet on top so that the blooms are completely covered.

  • Place the paper under a heavy book for about a week.

  • Use an inexpensive clear glass plate, and brush decoupage medium on the underside of the plate in the center.
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    Figure B
  • Place flower on the plate, nice side down (figure B) so it will show through the plate on the other side. Add layers of petals and leaves to achieve desired design. Let dry for five minutes.

  • Add a coat of decoupage medium on top of the flowers and let dry for about 15 minutes. Add another coat of medium, if desired.

  • Finish with a coat of polyurethane to protect the design when it is washed.

    Lampshade

    Materials:

    plain white lampshade
    dried flowers
    spray adhesive
    sheer piece of white fabric

    Steps:


    1. Spray adhesive on a plain white lampshade.

    2. Dry flowers in same manner as above project.

    3. Position dried materials randomly around the entire shade. Spray on another layer of adhesive.
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    Figure C
  • Drape a sheer piece of white fabric over the lamp while the adhesive is still tacky (figure C). Trim the fabric so it is even with the edge of the lampshade. This will protect the dried materials.

    Coasters

    Materials:

    clear glass or acrylic square
    decoupage medium
    dried flowers
    coaster
    foam-core board or piece of felt

    Steps:


    1. Coat one side of a clear glass or acrylic square with decoupage medium.

    2. Lay dried materials onto the coaster in desired arrangement. Cover with another layer of medium.

    3. Cut a foam-core board or piece of felt into the exact shape of the coaster and apply to the back side.
    • Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-822
    •Pressed Flower Keepsakes
    •Keeping Pet Birds Healthy
    •Choosing a Stepladder
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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