FLORIDA FEDERATION OF
GARDEN CLUBS
HEARTS AND fLOWERS
Making pressed
flowers in shape of a Heart!
Reflect
the spirit of romance by creating a botanical collage
of pressed flowers and greenery in the shape of a heart. Pretty pastels
lend an appealing
delicacy to the composition. Pressing flowers and using them to
create
decorative collages is an old and treasured art form. By creating
unique
and enduring designs, you can enjoy your garden over and over again in
a lasting way!
Take a stroll through your garden, gathering bits of
flowers and greenery
for pressing. It's as simple as that to get started.
Telephone
books work well for pressing plant materials, and, of course,
wooden presses are available that also work well. Cut-up squares of
brown
kraft paper can be placed between the pages of the telephone book, and
squares of acid-free paper come with the presses that can be purchased.
Materials:
Follow these
easy steps:
- Begin by cutting a heart template out of paper with
scissors; folding
the paper in half first ensures a perfectly formed heart.
- Lay the heart template, or pattern, down onto the
paper you have selected
as the background. The collage shown is made on a sheet of
handmade
paper purchased at an art supply store. Handmade paper can be made
using
a kitchen blender; there are books available with instructions for this
craft. The texture of handmade paper lends dimension to the design.
However,
any sturdy, attractive paper can be used for creating a pressed flower
design. Recycled greeting cards are one
- possibility.
- With a pencil, make small dots around the perimeter
of the heart template.
Now, you're ready to begin positioning the preserved plant material!
- Place a small amount of white glue into a jar lid in
front of you, and,
using a toothpick as your "brush", begin to lightly dab or brush
the
backs of the flowers and greenery with the glue. Then, carefully
position
each piece, and delicately pat it into place. You can lay it out
to create your design first, then glue each piece after you are pleased
with your design. Or, if you prefer, just glue as you go. Whichever you
are most comfortable with is the right technique for you.
- Use your imagination! Release the romantic spirit
within you!
Anyone can do it. It's easy to create a lovely work of art, and doesn't
take much time either. After the design has completely dried, you can
mount
it atop a fabric-covered background, then have it framed. Or, if
preferred,
you can have it matted and framed. It is also possible to have your
pattern
used as a transfer and made into a tee shirt, apron, canvas
bag....local
art supply stores can do this. Then, you still have your original
design
to have framed.
VOILA!! You're an artist!!
There are many good books out on pressing plant materials.
Try your
local library. It's very easy to get started, and requires almost no
cost.
Herbs also work well in pressed flower arrangements.
Princess Grace of Monaco was an avid pressed
flower artist,
and she stated she "found in the intricate loveliness of nature a
symbol
of creation and the beauty of life".
Creating flower pictures using plant materials from your
travels is
a great way to preserve a memory. And, if you should choose, instead of
a heart, you could create a collage using your initials! Whichever you
choose, you'll fall in love with this delightful art form.
Collage by Jan Sillik
Teacher/Consultant: Linda Cunningham, Pressed
Flower
Artist
HAVE FUN, AND MAKE FRIENDS
WITH FLOWERS!
|
