We are going to learn how to not just press our summer flowers, but turn them into a beautiful decoration to give as a gift or keep for ourselves.

Supplies Needed:

• Flowers from garden (best are smaller or more open petal flowers/blooms, leaves, grasses; ex. Cosmos, Pansy, Hydrangea, Daisy, Larkspur, Forget-Me-Not, etc.)

• Parchment Paper or Tissue Paper

• Heavy objects (used to lay on top of flowers while pressing)

• Glass Container (ex. canning, jam/pickle/olive jars), Vase, Votive

• Mod Podge (DIY - glue & water mixed to a milky consistency)

• Brush

• Patience (waiting for flowers to dry may take a couple weeks)

Find your favorite “Little Sprout” and visit your flower garden and begin finding your favorite flowers, leaves and grasses.  It is a great time to explore and introduce your “Little Sprout” to the world of gardening and explore all there is to see.  Watch for pollinators, talk about the various plant parts, shapes, colors and varieties.  

Cut the flowers you would like to use (choosing drier flowers is best) and with a paper towel gently press the flowers, leaves and grasses trying to get out as much moisture as possible.  

Now the drying process begins.  Place flowers/leaves/grass between double layers of tissue paper and then place between two heavy objects (books, wood pieces with heavy objects placed on top).  Flowers/leaves/grasses will take about 2-4 weeks to dry fully.  Check on your flowers after a week to see if new tissue paper is needed.  Flowers can mold during this process if they start out too moist and changing the tissue paper allows for better moisture absorption.  Place heavy objects again on the flowers/leaves/grass.  Repeat this process until all items are completely dry.  Once all flowers/leaves/grasses are dry it is time to create a “Jar of Flowers”.  

Take the jar, vase or votive (glass container) you have chosen and with the brush, spread a coat of Mod Podge or the DIY Glue/Water mixture on the outside of the glass trying to put it on as smooth as possible if you do not want brush marks to show.  Next, take the dried flowers/leaves/grasses and place them on your glass container as you wish to create a unique design.  Add a second layer of Mod Podge or DIY Glue/Water mixture covering all of the glass container.  Let dry!  Once dry your glass container can be turned into a vase or votive holder.  

Give the creation away or keep for yourself.  It will remind you and your “Little Sprout” throughout the year of your beautiful flower garden and all the fun that can be had with a few flowers, a glue mixture and a glass container/jar.  

Photo Credits: www.pexels.com (1,2), www.littlepinelearners.com (3)