Milifleur pressed flowers
Ant McLeod
Spring here in Australia and the Jacaranda trees are covered with beautiful
blue bells. I collected a handful to trial tonight and just want to say,
keep the timing down to 25 seconds as they burn so fast!
I also did a couple of gladioli blooms, a beautiful dark burgundy trailing
geranium, some Spanish lavender and English lavender (boy the room smelt so
sweet after doing them!), and some other little blue flowers from a hanging
basket. I am so happy and now I want to make a picture with them. Any
suggestions of what sort of background I should use. Anyone used fabric
before? If you have, do the flowers stain the material after a while?
So far I have only ever done cards with them, but I want to do a nice wall
hanging picture. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Ant
just me
"Ant McLeod" <fic...@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
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I have not used fabric yet. I have read, however, about use of both silk
and fabrics like velvet. Apparently the flower does not discolor the
fabric.
I do my pictures on watercolor papers of various colors, often layering them
or using very narrow ribbon something like a mat or border somewhere around
the edge, near the frame. Since one should maintain some pressure on the
arrangement to maintain it's integrity and airtight properties one should
select a frame where the glass will press on the flowers, helping keep them
in position. I use rubber cement to glue the flowers, leaves and stems on.
You can layer them to some extent, but be careful not to place light colored
flowers over darker colored items like leaves as the darker item will be
visible through the lighter flower. I apply the rubber cement with a
toothpick. I put it only on enough spots to tack the flower/leaf down.
Some flowers are so fragile that they will stick to the glue if you try to
put the glue on before putting the flower down on the paper. In that case I
put the glue where I want the flower and then carefully lay it on top,
applying some pressure for a moment only. If your fingers get a gluey,
remove it before doing another flower or the flower will stick to you
instead. I have done items as small as 2x2 frames up through 11x13 frames.
It helps to lay out your stuff before you glue so you know you have a
picture you like.
Good luck. I really enjoy flower pressing [although I don't do the microzap
method] and have found it a great outlet. I've been experimenting with
gluing the flowers to glass items like bottles and mirrors. I have not yet
found something that will cover the flowers well enough to protect them from
damage when touched. If anyone has ideas for that I'd be very appreciative!
-Aula
Ant McLeod
I have finished the picture and it looks great. I found a handkerchief that
I liked, put it on an angle on some lovely marbleised paper added some flat
lace to cover the edge of the hanky and then placed my flowers into
position. I used your advice about the toothpick to put the glue on and used
aquadhere to put them on with as it dries clear. I have put it in a frame
and it looks great. now whenever I see a flower I wonder just how well lit
would press and what colour it would remain!!!
Thanks for your advice.
Ant
"just me" <N...@ThankYou.com> wrote in message
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"Ant McLeod" <fic...@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
news:3bdd6f71$0$21541$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au...
> I have just dragged out my Milifleur microwave flower press tonight as it
is
> Spring here in Australia and the Jacaranda trees are covered with
beautiful
> blue bells. I collected a handful to trial tonight and just want to say,
> keep the timing down to 25 seconds as they burn so fast!
> I also did a couple of gladioli blooms, a beautiful dark burgundy trailing
> geranium, some Spanish lavender and English lavender (boy the room smelt
so
> sweet after doing them!), and some other little blue flowers from a
hanging
> basket. I am so happy and now I want to make a picture with them. Any
> suggestions of what sort of background I should use. Anyone used fabric
> before? If you have, do the flowers stain the material after a while?
>
> So far I have only ever done cards with them, but I want to do a nice wall
> hanging picture. Any suggestions?
I have not used fabric yet. I have read, however, about use of both silk
and fabrics like velvet. Apparently the flower does not discolour the
fabric.
I do my pictures on watercolour papers of various colours, often layering
just me
> Thanks for all your information Alua,
> I have finished the picture and it looks great. I found a handkerchief
that
> I liked, put it on an angle on some lovely marbleised paper added some
flat
> lace to cover the edge of the hanky and then placed my flowers into
> position. I used your advice about the toothpick to put the glue on and
used
> aquadhere to put them on with as it dries clear. I have put it in a frame
> and it looks great. now whenever I see a flower I wonder just how well
lit
> would press and what colour it would remain!!!
>
Watch out! This is an addictive craft! I'm glad you enjoyed creating your
picture and found my information helpful. May you find many more beautiful
flowers to press!
-Aula
Ant McLeod
oh well, will now prepare for the next spring!
Thanks for all your help.
Ant
"just me" <N...@ThankYou.com> wrote in message