Monday 11 May 2015

Make your own Flower Press

It's been a while since I last blogged. It's been a very difficult last 6 months. 
My Mum passed away 2 weeks ago and my priority was to look after her.
I very rarely got my paints out but found that I was sewing more, this still fed my crafty craving but didn't tax my brain too much. I did make 2 really nice quilts though. I've added a few photo's at the end of this post of the sewing I've done.


I've had the blank wood for this flower press for a couple of years now. I was going to teach a class to make the flower press, but it just never happened. I finally got round to playing with my DecoArt Media Fluid acrylic paints, so made and painted up my flower press. This is my finished result.


Here is my walk through :)
I used some bull dog clips to hold my two pieces of wood together, then drilled the holes in for the bolts.


I then cut some cardboard to the same size of the board. But then cut the corners, to accommodate the bolts.


I put it all together to test if the bolts were long enough.
Here is the blank flower press.


I first mixed these paints and painted the first coat of paint on both boards.
I dried this coat before applying the next coat.


I painted a white second coat of paint.
Dried this coat, then sanded it back to reveal the turquoise blue.


I used the "Old French Script" Americana Decor text stencil and some Paynes Grey paint on some cut and dry foam. I did this on both the front and the back panel.
I dry brushed some white paint over the stencilling to knock it back a little bit.


On the front panel I used some texture paste through the "Dandelion" Americana stencil, and dried it with a heat gun. I then sprayed some Turquoise DecoArt Media Shimmer Mist over the dandelions and dry brushed some Titanium white paint over the top to catch the detail of the dandelion stencil. Love the contrast of the two colours. 


This is the finished back of the flower press.
I finished off the edges by stamping a crackle stamp with some gold paint, and darkened the edges of the board with some Prussian Blue Hue paint on a cut n dry foam pad.


This is the finished flower press with the cardboard, flowers, and the bolts in.


It also contains these flowers too :)


I filled 3 layers of flowers, making sure that none of the flowers are touching each other.
And placed cartridge paper on the bottom and the top of the flowers.


I've used Tim Holtz plastic letters and dabbed over white paint with my fingers.


Here is the finished front. I've added a bit of Treasure Gold on the edges and the raised parts of the flowers and stamped a flourish stamp around the outside with white Picket Fence Distress Stain on it.


I will come back to this flower press later in a few months and make something with my pressed flowers. :)

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Here are some of my sewing makes I've made lately.
A baby blanket. With some free motion quilting on the top.


A soft flannel raggy baby blanket


A pin cushion


And a Pan trivet for the kitchen.


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The Butterwick Hospice looked after my Mum as her cancer progressed and they are amazing people. I can't thank them enough for what they did for my Mum.
I made them this card to say thank you.  





Thanks for popping by
Take care
Michelle xx

16 comments:

Julia S-W said...

I love all the details on your flower press Michelle. Think I need that stencil now too! Beautiful shabby colours and you've even started pressing flowers - I really like it when things are beautiful and useful. The textile work is right up my street (I taught textiles for over 24 years) and I don't do enough of it now. Juliax

Words and Pictures said...

Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum - my heart is with you. I'm sure the Butterwick Hospice staff appreciated your beautiful card.

Your flower press is stunningly lovely (I will have to go looking for the dandelion stencil - it's amazing), and all the fabric work is so impressive (especially to someone for whom fabric and sewing are very alien!).
Alison xx

craftimamma said...

Wonderful post Michelle and gorgeous creations from start to finish. Thanks for all the steps on making your flower press and now I need another stencil, lol! That one is a stunner! Good to have you back blogging too.

As you know at the moment, I am where you were 2 weeks ago so big hugs to you and thank you for your message on my post.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Evil Edna said...

I am so sorry to hear about your Mum, you know where i am if tou need to talk rubbish. take care EE

Candy C said...

Michelle...your flower press is so lovely. Great tutorial, too. I was sorry to read about your Mum. Cancer is such a horrible disease. I know the staff at the hospice center appreciated such a beautiful card. Your seen items are also winderful! You are a very talented lady!

Pat Crossland said...

Super Flower Press and Quilts Michelle....hope you are back on the road to recovery now after the traumatic time of the last couple of weeks...

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle, so sorry to hear about your mum, my heart goes out to you. Gorgeous Flower press...looking forward to seeing your pressed flowers later on. Quilts are fabulous...into sewing and quilting myself now :) Take care. xxx

Helen said...

It's such a tough time, Michelle, and the sewing you had to keep your mind occupied but not too taxed, is just beautiful!! As is the wonderful flower press.. Continued love being sent your way as you adjust to the loss of your Mum.xxx

...the yorkshire fox... said...

Loving your flower press Michelle, your creativity is very inspiring... big hug Xx

Kirsten said...

My condolences to you & your family, Michelle.
The flower press looks wonderful, as do your sewing projects.

Jackie said...

What a busy lady you have been. What a clever idea for making your own flower press, and it looks so beautiful. What a clever lady you are, and so versatile with all that lovely sewing :o)
Jackie xx

Art By Wanda said...

I'm sorry for your loss, Michelle. Love how you arted up your flower press... fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful sewing projects and your card is beautiful!!!!

Stencil Search said...

Thank you for sharing this project -- what a beautiful way to use stencils! I'd also like to offer my sympathies. Losing a mother is such a hard thing. I hope you find some comfort in your art.

Win Dinn, Artist said...

Love the cover on your press, and since I'm addicted to pressing flowers for use in mixed media, I just might try this - my other press it just NOT enough!

Gez Butterworth said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous creations Michelle. Loving your blog make over, can't wait to see what you do with the flowers.
Keeping you in my thoughts xox

Suman Pandit said...

The flower press is amazing Michelle!! love that dandelion stencil too,so apt for this project,does one need to change the papers in the press and how many days does it take. I have only dried flowers between books till now :)

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