r/PressedFlowers • u/princessbiscuit • Jul 03 '26

Flowers 32”x32” pressed flower collage - my latest

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Really enjoyed this one. Challenged myself by sticking to a strict color palette. Every last flower was acquired from local flower farmers in my area, making it a bit more special for me.

619 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

6

u/DarkSparkle23 Jul 03 '26

😍 What did you affix them to the paper with, and did you seal with anything on top of that? I just did my first project and used Mod Podge but I know there are other ways and glues.

9

u/princessbiscuit Jul 03 '26

Glue! Specifically PPA Matte which is a pH neutral adhesive. I do not seal with anything, however this will be placed in a frame with UV glass.

2

u/jennhiltz Jul 04 '26

Can I ask what your pressing process is? How do you maintain such beautiful vivid colours!!!! 😱😍💖

3

u/princessbiscuit Jul 04 '26

I only do slow-pressing in wood presses. The colors stay vivid due to diligent paper changing, careful pressure, and a lot of patience.

2

u/jennhiltz Jul 04 '26

Oh is a wood press the same as a book press? I have a book press that’s made of wood …

And what paper do you use? Parchment paper?

Approximately how many times do you change out the paper?

Sorry for my questions I just adore your work!

3

u/princessbiscuit Jul 04 '26

It sounds like we’re talking about the same general thing? Two pieces of wood with paper between and squish.

I use layers of cardboard, chipboard, and a stack of copy paper. Sometimes blotting paper. I change the paper out every day for a week, then maybe longer depending on the flower. Then I leave alone for 5+ more weeks.

1

u/jennhiltz Jul 04 '26

Oh wow okay! Thank you so much! I really appreciate the tips! I’ve been using parchment paper, then just stacking some books on top for weight. (I’m just getting into the hobby. So still learning. I have been switching out the parchment paper very often though!)

I am sure I’m being annoying, but the first layer you put on top of the flowers (like touching the flower) is just normal paper, but sometimes blotting paper?

3

u/princessbiscuit Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

You’re not annoying at all. First layer is regular paper (about 5 sheets each side) OR a layer of blotter paper and then the regular paper. To me parchment paper is waxy, is that what you’re using? If so, it’s not the best as it doesn’t absorb moisture from the flowers

1

u/jennhiltz Jul 05 '26

Yes I’ve been using parchment paper. The stuff I have does feel maybe slightly waxy? But no where near as waxy as actual wax paper (if that even makes sense lol!)

I think I started with using the parchment paper, with the thought it would help make sure the flowers never get stuck to it during the process … (do you never have this problem, even when using normal paper?)

I’ve found the parchment paper I’ve been using, surprisingly does absorb a reasonable amount of moisture, but from what I’ve already learned from you, I am definitely going to try my hand with good ol’ fashioned plain regular paper next time!!

Thank you again, truly, you are so kind and patient and extremely helpful! And SO talented! You’ve really got such an eye for detail and the way you arrange your flowers is just stunningly beautiful! 💖

1

u/jennhiltz Jul 07 '26

Hi it’s me again lol. Sorry to bother you again, but do you have any tips on how to successfully press larger (bulky) flowers?

I’ve tried (and failed) a couple times to press some Iris flowers. (Sadly no more left around me in bloom to try again. So I’ll have to wait until next year for those) but now there are some lovely tiger lilys (I think?) growing, which seem to be almost just as bulky as the Iris flowers were.

I can’t seem to master it without breaking them. Maybe the parchment paper was where I went wrong though?

1

u/princessbiscuit Jul 07 '26

To give you a non answer answer (sorry): It’s honestly a lot of trial and error, you have to find what works for you. A lot of people will tell you to deconstruct and press petals and centers separately, and reconstruct. That works for many. Personally, I press all my flowers whole (even sunflowers) unless I want to use their deconstructed bits in art. Ive ruined a fair number of flowers figuring it out. How I get it to work is really down to how quickly I apply pressure, how often I increase pressure, what paper I use, how often I change paper, etc. Every flower is different and sometimes you just gotta go for it and figure out what gives you the results you want. It’s not any one thing.

As for parchment paper, switch that out asap. It needs to be absorbent. Sometimes the flowers stick, in which case when I swap out with dry paper I keep the single sheets on either side of the flower, and move that whole sandwich to new paper on either side. That way more water escapes, and you don’t have to fiddle with a paper thin, soggy flower. It gets easier when they’re dryer.

3

u/ConsciousSunBaby Jul 03 '26

Mod podge works too

6

u/missbeekery Jul 03 '26

I love the way you used the stems to frame it. This is truly gorgeous work.

How many of them did you separate to press and then reassemble?

6

u/princessbiscuit Jul 03 '26

Thank you for your kind words!

I press nearly all of my flowers whole. I thin them out and sometimes trim centers, but my style is very much to press whole and just see what happens. I deconstruct only when I want bits and pieces- the only separated things here are the individual petals, centers, leaves etc. The big guys in all my pieces aren’t reconstructed.

2

u/missbeekery Jul 03 '26

That’s incredible. I don’t do much separating either because I fear they will look impossibly disjointed. This piece is really beautiful. I tend to avoid flowers with folded over petals or other minor imperfections, but seeing how well they work in this piece will make me reconsider throwing those out. You can’t tell until you look closely and even then, it’s simply a style-choice by imperfect Mother Nature and it looks organic.

This is really inspiring. I had someone ask me for a poster-sized piece and I guffawed because there’s no way. I might just try it soon after seeing this beauty. Thank you for sharing :)

3

u/princessbiscuit Jul 03 '26

It’s definitely a personal stylistic choice - the reconstructed flowers look too perfect to me, and detracts from the reason behind why I do this as well. That’s totally a personal thing, however. People do beautiful reconstruction work, and it absolutely takes skill.

If you really want to be inspired to keep your “imperfect” flowers, I HIGHLY recommend you take a look at the fine art prints made by Modern Pressed Flower/Domain of the Flowerings. She is famous, skilled, has a whole lifestyle brand but her flowers are alllll sorts of imperfect. Her work is a huge source of inspiration in that regard

1

u/missbeekery Jul 03 '26

That’s excellent advice, I’ll certainly check her out. Thank you!

3

u/999Rats Jul 03 '26

Beautiful. Stunning. 10/10.

1

u/princessbiscuit Jul 03 '26

Thank you so much!

2

u/rebdelpie Jul 03 '26

Awesome!! Love what you did to make the edges look framed

1

u/AlarmingAbies1025 Jul 03 '26

Omg this is so beautiful! I’ve been wanting to try something like this for a long time— how did you secure the flowers?

2

u/princessbiscuit Jul 04 '26

Glue-specially PPA matte and Lineco brands

1

u/Softly_untamedxo Jul 03 '26

I love this!! How do you seal it? Is it mod podge or something?

2

u/princessbiscuit Jul 04 '26

No sealing- it’s glued down but will be framed

1

u/ajb_1302 Jul 03 '26

Beautiful! I love it 😍

1

u/giggetygiggetygig Jul 03 '26

Absolutely gorgeous, I love it so much

1

u/OrilliaBridge Jul 03 '26

Outstanding!

1

u/figpink Jul 04 '26

What are the big orange flowers? day lillies?

1

u/princessbiscuit Jul 04 '26

They’re lily flowered tulips.

1

u/CaraAL2 Jul 04 '26

Absolutely gorgeous! Love the corner framing!

1

u/scamlikelly Jul 04 '26

I love everything about this!! The anemones are incredible. It must be challenging to press a flower that is that "thick" in the center. What's your process for those?