Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Drying Flowers



I love summer and lately I have taken the time to walk the trail through the woods and the field almost every day. Today I made it out for quite the hike and collected wildflowers from the overgrown field. We have them hanging all around our house, across the mantle, and on a string above the dining room and kitchen. It definitely gives our house a different feel.



I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with all of them. I'd like to try to make some wreaths depending on how they look when dried. I am also pressing some of the flowers beneath several stacks of books across the mantle.

As far as how to dry flowers, there isn't much to it.
:: Hang with rubber bands instead of string, so they stay hung once the stems start dring and shrinking.
:: Don't hang more than 6 or so stems together, so there is plenty of room for air to circulate.
:: Space the hanging bunches so that none are touching (again, for air circulation).
:: Wait.

For pressing,
:: Leave at least an inch around each flower.
:: Press with newspaper or paper towels on both sides of the flowers (at least 4 layers of newspaper)
:: Stack books on top.
:: Wait.

I'm not sure how long it will take. Everything I read said something different and I'm sure it has to do with the humidity. I'd guess in a few weeks I'll have some pretty dry flowers around.

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In family news, my wonderful great-grandmother passed away. She was an amazing woman and I wrote about her here. I am so glad we were able to take Ben to see grandma for her 90th birthday party. She was an amazing woman.


3 comments:

  1. I'm sorry about your GG, I lost my last grandparent recently. It's tough, especially when they are of an advanced age, you're sad, but if they were in the slightest bit ill, well then it's easier because you know it was time.. still, though. tough. I'll be thinking of you.

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  2. Lara, so sorry to hear about your great-grandmother. Great picture of her with Ben! I loved reading about, and seeing pictures of your flower drying process! I used to do that, back when it seemed I had more energy.. ha! I also was the 4-H crafts leader here for years, and one year we made amazing wreaths with dried flowers (mostly wild)... the base was grapevine. The kids loved it too. Go for it.. then show us what you made! :) -tw

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  3. Thanks. She was pretty amazing...

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