Hello, Lovelies!

Are you experiencing intense boredom after being quarantined for a few weeks? Fret not! Today I thought it would be fun to share a craft/gift that I made for myself and some of my family members awhile ago! You can make it with anything you have lying around the house, and it will help pass some time while you are stuck at home! 

First, let me give you a little backstory as to where the idea came from. I KNOW that this is NOT an original idea that I have concocted here… all you have to do is search for “Pressed Flower” in Pinterest and a thousand crafts like this pop-up. BUT that is not the point. The point is, I had flowers from a very special family event, and these flowers by extension hold extreme sentimental meaning to not only me but my family as well. When they started to die, I was heartbroken and desperate for a way to keep them close to me forever. I had never pressed flowers or preserved flowers in any way before, but it is always something I had wanted to try so I thought what better time to give it a shot. 

Naturally, something was bound to go wrong as I had never done this before and I did not do my research ahead of time… I originally tried to preserve roses as well as the baby’s breath, however, I did not press the roses properly and they were much too thick for the frames that I had. I ended up having to throw them away, sadly, as they had also started to go bad, and instead, I just framed the Baby’s Breath that was pressed much flatter. 

Anyways...let’s dive in! 

DIY PRESSED FLOWER FRAMES

MATERIALS:

1. Fresh Flowers (of your choosing)* - I used Baby’s Breath 

2. Flower Press (I made a makeshift one out of heavy books but there are actual ones you can make/buy if you choose). 

3. Tweezers

4. Frame (of your choosing) - I opted for a little gold frame with glass on both sides. 

5. *OPTIONAL* Clear Instant Glass Glue - if you already have it!

*Note: Some flowers press better than others. Lilies, for example, do not press very well so do your research first!  

Step 1: FLOWERS

Select the flowers you want to use in your frame. I personally love a blend of leaves and flowers but the beauty in this project it everything is completely individual to you! Get creative with colours and textures!

Step 2: PRESS + DRY

Press + Dry-out the flowers so they do not go moldy once framed. 

You have a few options here: You can construct a simple flower press with a few pieces of wood, cardboard, and some nuts and bolts OR you can grab a few books off the shelf and be good to go! I opted for the book option because I did not have the materials on hand to make the wooden press. 

Lay the flowers flat between two pieces of parchment paper (so they don’t stick to or stain your books). Next, place the covered flowers between two heavy books (or more if you need more weight) and leave for about 1 week to allow the flowers to dry and flatten. 

Step 3: COMPOSE 

Using tweezers, remove your pressed flowers and arrange them in the frame however you like! This is where the option to glue them down comes in, however, I opted out of the gluing process. If you wish to glue them down, create your flower composition on the frame, then place a small amount of the clear instant glass glue on the back piece of the frame to secure your arrangement. 

Step 4: ENJOY 

Once you replace the top of the frame, you are ready to hang your masterpiece! 

This SIMPLE, fun craft is a great way to brighten your space and add some joy to your quarantine routine! Missing a loved one? These beauties make perfect gifts! Wrap it up and save it for the next time you will see that special person to let them know you were thinking of them! The more we shift our perspectives to view these isolating times as opportunities rather than restrictions, the more wellness we will bring into our lives! Make the most of your days home and experiment with new crafts and hobbies that you normally would not have the time to pursue! Every moment of this precious life counts - once the world reverts to “normal” and you are back at work, you do not want to look back on these days with regrets of time wasted. 

Stay positive, optimistic and cheerful in these trying times, lovelies. Take advantage of these extra moments to work on your personal well-being and inner happiness. 

Sending you love and happy vibes! 

Yours, Happily, 

Kristyn xo