As we enter into the spring season, we are able to find new inspiration. One of my favorite things about spring is the flowers and seeing meadows covered in a vast ocean of color. Adding flowers to letters has been my go to this spring season. Adding flowers is a cute personalize touch when making a letter.
One way to send flowers is to press them and add them to your letter. I have found this technique to be one of easiest and simplest ways to embrace the spring season into your DIY letters. Learn how you can press flowers and add them to your next letter in four simple steps.
Material Needed:
flowers
double sided tape
Mod Podge and small brush
parchment paper
heavy flat item (example - book)
twine (optional)
card that you are using
vinegar
Step One
The first thing that you want to do when you press flowers is to find your favorite type of
flower. You can find wild flowers or buy them from your local grocery store. Keep in mind the size of the bud and make sure that it will fit onto the letter that you are using.
I went to my local nursery and picked up some white Alyssums and white Snowlands. These
types of flowers are great for pressing because they have small buds and dry up quickly.
You will want to then cut the flowers by the stem and place them on parchment paper. Cut more than you think you will need. Flowers don't always dry the way we would like them to, so it is good to have many options to choose from.
Step Two
After fitting a few flowers on parchment paper, you will then want to prep them before
pressing. With about a tablespoon of vinegar, you will want to spray the flowers. Vinegar helps in the flowers dry up faster.
After spraying the flowers, you will then add a second layer of parchment paper on top of the flowers. Next take a large flat object and place it on top of the flowers. Make sure this object is heavy enough that it will press them. I used a book that as well over 800 pages.
All the flowers to sit for about 48 hours to make sure they are flattened and dried out. To spe
ed up the process you may want to place your flowers in front of a window.
Step Three
After about 48 hours you will want to carefully peel back the top layer of the parchment
paper. Your flowers should be delicate to the touch and look dried out.
Carefully select the flowers that pressed neatly and arrange them to your desire. I took three stems of Alyssums and one stem of Snowland to create my small bouquet.
You can add other elements as well. For example I added a small bit of twine to tie in all of the flowers and make a small bow.
Step Four
After figuring out how you would like to arrange you flowers, you will then move them over
to the card that you are using. Place double sided type where all the stem would hit on the letter. Then place the small bouquet of flowers to the double sided type. Be careful as you do this as you wouldn't want to break the flowers.
You will then take Mod Podge and a lightly cover the edge flowers to the paper. Slowly then work your way to the center of the bouquet with the brush following the stems.
The Mod Podge acts as glue but is also helps preserve the flowers as well.
You have now added beautifully pressed flowers to your card. Something about flowers is so
refreshing and invites the season. Try experimenting with different flowers and adding different accents to your letters. Have fun embracing the spring season into your DIY letters!
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