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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 56s PAGE 30 You pane joy summ, Rave you ever wished you could capture the beauty of summer's flowers to enjoy once their season is over? "It can be done. The cost of pressing flowers is reasonable and the results are iful" sa s Master Gardener Marion r flowers all year round at horne Gorrie of London, Ont., o of several gardening enthusiasts in the pi " vine train- ed in horticulture through a Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Foo 's Master Gardener program. All you need are two pieces of centimetre - Utile rat°ger than a foliage. thick plywood (cut a arm! telephone directory), two large C clamps, and an out-of-date telephone directory. Gather specimens on a drY day. Pick only fresh flowers that show no signs of fading, as well as some buds, stems and Carrying all of your • pool and spa chemicals •free water analysis • pumps, motors, filters •slides and pool accessories 'liner replacements •solar blankets • solar heating panels • pool servicing and repairs •spring openings and fall closings V.I.P. Doable Recliner SPA 5ft. x6ft. v easy to install easy to maintain priced for your budget comes with thermal cover 1/year-round entertaining >- one of many to choose from 1/FREE ESTIMATES! Sometimes, it the flower is .small I press it with the stem and foliage Wad, But usual- ly, I remove the flower 'head from'the stem and press the pieces separately,' Gorrie says. Press a quantity of each specimen (no matter how carefully you handle the dried and pressed flowers, you are bound to break some). Place the flower face down, between the directory pages, pressing gently with a finger so the flower will ray flat until you close the press. Place some of the flowers in profile. If the foliage is coarse or if it does not have an interesting shape, discard it. Fill a. page, then skip several pages and continue to fill another page. (If the directory is very thick, tear the spine into slimmer sections). Place the directory carefully between the plywood sheets and secure the "C" clamps tightly on two sides. Drying times vary; some flowers may dry in a week, while others may take much longer. Specimens are dried, if by inserting a thumb nail under the edge of a petai or leaf, the specimen lifts easily or slides over the Page. (At this point, the specimens are fragile, semi -transparent and very delicate, so they must be handled carefully).. You may create floral pictures,. hasty - notes, coasters, place mats, lamp shades — even decorated candles — with your pressed flowers. - To make a picture, you will need a picture frame with glass, white glue, tooth picks, fine scissors, tissue for blotting, a small square of waxed paper and a good quality pad of artists' watercolor paper. Cut the watercolor paper to fit the glass. Arrange flowers, stems and foliage on the paper until you are satisified with your 40 composition. Now, transfer your composition to a clean sheet of paper. On a small square of waxed paper, spread a small amount of white glue, diluting it with water to a fairly thin consistency. Dip the broad end of the toothpick into the glue and with a wiping motion; holding the pick flat, spread glue over a small area of the watercolor paper where the first flower will be placed. Dip the fine, end of the toothpick into the glue and onto the pressed material (flower, leaf, etc. ). Lift the pressed flower and posi- tion it on the watercolor paper. "You will have a few seconds to reposition the flower by carefully sliding it over the glue with a toothpick," she says. Blot gently with tissue to firm the petals intothe glue. Continue in this manner, glueing and plac- ing small areas until you have completed the picture. Place under glass, fit into the frame and secure the backing. Hang your floral picture away from bright light to prevent the colors from fading. The list of flowers and plants that can be pressed is limitless. But here area fe* good ones to try: but- tercups, lobelia, verbena, blue salvia, Queen° Anne's lace, larkspur, African violets, ox -eyed' daisies, crown of thorn blossoms, coral bells, coreopsis, and the orange series of cosmos. "You may find "pressing so much fun that you will want to plan next year's flower gardens, with pressing in mind."