Pressed Flower Follow-up and Mother's Day Card Results!

Hello and welcome back! I had intended to post this a little earlier this week, but hopefully a few of you out there did compare and test the two flower pressing techniques for yourself after Apr. 24's Flower Pressing Tutorial/Craft article.

Here is a step by step unveiling of the same bouquet of flowers pressed with the old-fashioned book-press method:

So, as you can see... this looks like a complete disaster when only given a quick glance... BUT, the colour is well preserved and the petals dried well so not all hope is lost! This looks like a great one-of-a-kind Mother's Day card supply! Be sure to check later in the article for some ways to salvage this!

This one turned out much better and would look great in a double sided glass frame as used in the other method of flower pressing!

The little purple flowers are just as vibrant as they were 3 weeks ago when they were pressed!

Some greenery and one last pressed flower for our Mother's Day Projects! 

So here is where I must apologize and repeat the same thing I'm sure you have heard somewhere before (hint, hint: Mother's Day): "Don't expect success while only taking shortcuts". 

Here is "the proof in the pudding", a comparison of the Iron-Press Flower and Traditional tried and true Book Press method after 3 weeks time:

On your above left is the Iron Press Method I tested last month; however I believe I made the mistake of using parchment paper, which is not absorbant PLUS I believe I should have spent quite a bit more time ironing!

On your above right are the final results of the good old-fashioned book-press and time method.

I will stress: USE ABSORBANT PAPER not parchment as I did... I did have one larger flower that was in such a bad state it didn't make it to the photography step (as I was gagging at the smell of mould and sticky flower gunk!!)

I think the first thought that comes to mind when I see these side by side is: "Good things come to those who wait" among many many other quotes relating to taking shortcuts when expecting success. 

Sam's Ramblings Note:

I believe this method comparison really makes a bold statement for antiques. As Brooks said in The Shawshank Redemption: "The world went and got itself into a big d*** hurry".

These days, most household decor and furniture is mass produced and takes little human effort to make. Now that the world is in such a hurry, manufacturing has turned to quantity instead of quality. Antiques truly are proof that when time and effort are put into a project/furniture/anything the results stand the test of time and are tried and true. Work hard- make it happen.

Do you remember that I mentioned Mother's Day cards?

Materials: Spray Lacquer, Dried Flowers, Super Glue, Card Stock Paper, Printer (optional)

Directions:

1. Quick spray-shellac of your dried, pressed flowers and time to dry.

2. Follow instructions on crazy glue, I used single used packets from the dollar store.. be sure to wear gloves! This is NOT a step that is kidlet-friendly!

3. Arrange petals, I tried to be creative and make some of the purple petals appear to be floating away... I believe here is where I must admit that I'm not the most artistic person on the planet... but I believe many of you out there can do a much better job in a pinch!

4. I opted to hand-write a personal message on the inside.

TIP: Due to the delicate nature of this card, I would NOT suggest an envelope.

Thanks for reading this longer than usual article! I hope to have another blog up in the next few hours on another Mother's Day Series Project that is a great last-minute homemade gift idea so simple even small children can take part and the ingredients can be found primarily in your kitchen or dried good or baking supply or grocery store.