Microwaved Pressed Flowers, Vol. 8: New Techniques for Brilliant Pressed Flowers

This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn the easy, quick, more mistake proof way of pressing flowers. It's useful tips and wide variety of gorgeous projects make it suitable for crafters of all levels and tastes. The book starts by helping you choose the right flowers for pressing, including a large chart that lists flower name, color and special notes such as whether it is difficult to press or has a variety of interesting shapes. It also gives some basic information on traditional pressing including instructions on making a press.Details on microwave pressing are next including making a simple microwave press and step-by-step instructions accompanied by small photos of the drying process. Advice on storage, record keeping improving your results and avoiding common problems is also here. There are even extra preparation tips for dealing with difficult pollen, rosebuds and stems. Over 20 projects follow including simple cards and stationery and covered items such as boxes and furniture, as well as designs under glass. All projects include a supply list and written step-by-step instructions. The instructions are good with a large full-color picture of the project is shown, but the specific flowers used are not listed. This gives you the flexibility to use your favorites that are available to you. My favorite project, called secret garden, features a vast array of flowers in a frame. I also loved another with flowers pressed in front of a window scene. I enjoyed a rocker decorated with morning glories, pretty scented drawer liners and a collaged musical hat box as well. A helpful section in the back includes a chart for record keeping and beautiful flower images as well as a good index. I have tried a few pressed flower projects in the past but this book has inspired me to make that the focus of my crafting efforts this summer.

A good overview of traditional presses as well as instructions for using a homemade microwave press. A list of flowers and herbs commonly pressed, including notes for each with pressing tips. Instructions for greeting cards, drawer liners, floral lampshades, boxes, picture frames, flower pots and furniture decorated with pressed flowers, and framed pressed flower pictures with lists of materials, instructions, and over 100 photos & diagrams. 112 pages hardcover

They said it best when they wrote, "Joanna Sheen is a leading authority on pressed flowers and all things floral." It's so wonderful to have a book written by someone who has been doing this craft for 21 years....now THAT'S when experience talks! I've been pressing flowers and other botanicals in books and wooden presses for ages, and I'm so glad to have discoverd the revolutionary method of microwave pressing. Like all of her books, Joanna takes you step-by-step through the process: when and how to collect the best specimens, materials and construction of your microwave press (as WELL as tips on traditional book pressing and wooden presses), using your press, preserving and storing your pressed flowers when finished, keeping microwave records, tips on improving your end results, common problems and troubleshooting, and then she has a number of GORGEOUS and crafty projects you can use them for. She even gives you some great tips on pressing VEGETABLES, and has a table of suitable flowers to press, including their names, colors, and pressing notes/coments/tips. See her website www.joannasheen.com for some great examples of her pressed flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Some of the projects in the book include, but not nearly limited to: decorated scented drawer liner, floral lampshade, pressing and displaying wedding and special occasion flowers, decorated a dressing table, picture frames, a recipe box (with chillie peppers!)and cards, hat boxes, flower pots, bottles, pencil boxes, and various floral framed art.The back of the book has several blank pages with lines for you to take notes when experimenting on your own, which she recomends in the book. And facing each lined page are gorgeous scans of specimens she has pressed. If you enjoy plants and flowers in art, and you enjoy crafts, you can't live without this book for your personal library. TRUST ME!

This is a must have book for anyone wanting to press flowers, as microwaved pressed flowers keep their color and shape much better than the old "flowers in a phone book" method. The instructions for making your microwave flower press and then how to use it are easy to follow. In the back of the book is a place for record keeping, so that you can keep track of how long it takes specific flowers to dry. The book is full of ideas for using pressed flowers, all with full color photographs that make you want to create every single one. The ideas range from framed pressed flowers to decorating furniture with pressed flowers, and many other wonderful things in-between.