Looking to preserve a flower in a book? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it!
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Introduction
It is possible to preserve a flower in a book, although it requires some care and attention. You will need to choose a flower that is not too thick or too fragile, and make sure that it is dry before you begin.
You will also need some paper to protect the pages of your book, and some clear adhesive tape. Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin the process of preserving your flower.
What You’ll Need
To preserve a flower in a book, you’ll need the following materials:
-A flower
-A book
-A piece of wax paper
-An iron
First, choose a flower that is not too thick. If the flower is too thick, it will not lay flat in the book. Next, find a book that is large enough to accommodate the size of your flower. Once you have your materials gathered, follow the instructions below to preserve your flower in a book.
Step One: Choose Your Flower
To begin, you will need to select a flower that is still fresh. If the flower is already wilted, it will not hold up well in the pressing process. Once you have chosen your flower, trim the stem so that it is only a few inches long.
Step One: Choose Your Flower
The best flowers for pressing are those that are flat and have thin petals. Some examples of good candidates for pressing include: daisies, violets, roses, and pansies. Pressing thinner petaled flowers will result in a better outcome than attempting to press thick petaled flowers such as tulips or hibiscus.
Step Two: Prepare Your Flower
Once you have chosen your flower, trim the stem so that it is only a few inches long. Next, remove any leaves that are attached to the stem. Once your flower is ready, it’s time to begin the pressing process.
Step Three: Press Your Flower
There are a few different ways that you can press your flower. One method is to place the flower between two sheets of wax paper and then use a heavy book to weigh down the wax paper. Another common method is to place the flower between two sheets of paper towel and then iron on a low setting until the paper towel absorbs the moisture from the flower. Whichever method you choose, make sure that you do not use too much heat or pressure as this can damage the fragile petals of your flower.
Once your flower is pressed, it’s time to move on to step four.
Step Four: Mount Your Flower
After your flower has been pressed, it’s time to mount it in a book. To do this, start by finding a book that has thick pages (such as an encyclopedia) and open it up to two pages that are facing each other. Next, place your pressed flower on one of the pages so that you can see both sides of the bloom clearly. Once you’re satisfied with how yourflower looks, close the book and weighted object on top of it overnight so that yourflower will flatten completely as it dries.
If everything goes according to plan, you should wake up to find a beautiful flattened concern drying face-down on one ofthe pages in your book!
Step Two: Press Your Flower
To press your flower, find a heavy book and open it to one of the middle pages. Place your flower between two sheets of wax paper and close the book, making sure that the pages are lined up evenly. Place something heavy, like a stone or a can of soup, on top of the book to help flatten your flower. Leave your flower to dry for two weeks. Once it is dry, you can remove it from the book and mount it in your scrapbook!
Step Three: Place Your Flower in the Book
Open your book to the page where you want to place your flower. If you are using a modular pressing system, insert the stiff board that corresponds to that page number into the base. If you are not using a modular pressing system, open the book to the page where you want to place your flower and insert a stiff board underneath that page. Gently close the book so that the pages lay flat.
Step Four: Close the Book
Once you have placed the flower between the pages of the book, be sure to close it gently so as not to damage the flower. If possible, find a spot in your home where the book can remain undisturbed for a few days to allow the flower to fully dry. After a few days, your flower should be safely preserved between the pages of your book!
Step Five: Wait for the Flower to Dry
Now that you have placed your flower between the pages of your book, it is time to wait for it to dry. Depending on the size and type of flower, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once the flower is completely dry, your book will be ready to display on a shelf or table!
Step Six: Repeat as Necessary
Once you have your flower and book selected, it is time to begin the pressing process. Start by gently placing the flower between the pages of your book, using as many pages as necessary to keep the flower flat. If you are worried about damaging the pages of your book, you can also use parchment paper or wax paper to separate the pages. Once the flower is in place, close the book and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a stack of magazines or a bookend. Leave the flower in this position for at least 24 hours, though longer may be necessary depending on the type of flower and how fresh it is.
After 24 hours have passed, open your book and check on your flower. If it appears to be drying out, lightly mist it with water before replacing the weight and closing the book again. Repeat this process every few days until your flower is fully dried and preserved. You can then remove it from the book and display it as you desire!
Tips and Tricks
To preserve your flower, start by pressing it between the pages of a book. Choose a book that is heavy enough to flatten the flower, but not so heavy that it will crush the petals. Once you have found the perfect book, open it to the middle and place your flower between two pages. Close the book and stacked other heavy books on top, letting it sit for two weeks. After two weeks have passed, open up your book and check on your flower. If it is still too floppy, leave it in the book for a few more days. Once it is flat, you can remove it from the book and frame it or use it in another project.
Conclusion
To preserve a flower in a book, you will need to start by finding a pressed flower that is the right size for your page. If the flower is too big, you can trim it down to size with sharp scissors. Once you have your flower, place it on a piece of paper and use a pencil to trace around the edge of the petals. Cut out the tracing and use it as a template to cut a piece of wax paper that is slightly smaller than the tracing. Place the wax paper over the top of the flower and use a pencil to trace around the edge of the petals again. Cut out the center of the wax paper tracing, being careful not to cut into the petals of the flower.
Next, you will need to create a simple syrup by boiling equal parts water and sugar together until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool slightly, then brush it over both sides of the wax paper. Be sure to brush syrup onto any areas of petal that are not covered by wax paper, as this will help to prevent them from browning.
Now gently lay your wax paper covered flower on top of your desired page in your book and close the book. Weight down your book with something heavy, like another book, and allow it to sit for at least 24 hours so that the flowers can press evenly into your page. After 24 hours have passed, carefully remove your flower from between the pages and enjoy your beautifully preserved pressed flower!
