At this time of year there is a lot of content on social media about flower pressing. Gardens and hedgerows are bursting into life at last and there is an undeniable romance in collecting flora to press and reminisce. The delight in finding a little old book in an antique store with letters and flowers slipped between the pages is something I secretly hope for every time I visit a second-hand book store!
I have been pressing the occasional flower for years on and off, using heavy books around the house that I subsequently forget all about. But I have only acquired a proper flower press and a real passion for it in recent years. I have a large press at my studio and several smaller ones at home that I use on a regular basis. A friend in Miami (hello lovely Patricia!) sourced a beautiful flower press for me, held together with sturdy straps instead of bolts, which inspired the little travel press I am going to tell you about today.
My travel flower press is nothing special but it really works for me and I wanted to share it in case it’s an idea that you might find useful too.
Firstly, I am really bad at removing flowers or leaves from stalks with my fingers. I can’t make a clean break and then I feel bad for the plant, like I’ve injured it. (I know. Eye roll.) So I need a small pair of snips with me at all times. I also wanted just the smallest flower press that wasn’t too heavy to carry in my bag when I’m out for walks. The wooden ones I have, though small, are still very heavy and take up valuable room in an already overstuffed tote. This little Observer book is the perfect size and with its strong rubber band keeps flowers secure inside and snips handy on the outside.
If you are a reader of my newsletter then you will know that I am currently sitting an online art class with Abby Monroe (I really recommend it - art journalling and experimenting - so much fun!). After a lovely day with Abby at my studio last year I have been more inspired to work on collage and mixed media in my spare time. I treated myself to a few lovely materials (little wooden stamps, washi tape and a selection of fine papers) and this week I made a cover for my book. Totally inspired by Abby and the lovely things she makes (in fact the little sprig of dried lavender in my photo is from the art journal kit I bought from Abby this month).
I used a sheet of A4 newsprint as the base and glued an illustration of hogweed from a vintage book as the main decoration. I tore strips of antique handwritten documents and crumpled gold tissue paper. A regular glue stick (almond-scented of course) secures everything neatly in place with minimal mess.
In my washi tape stash I found a roll of thin tape decorated with butterflies which was perfect for this project. I then cut down a little strip of antique script washi tape to cover a tear in the base paper where I was overzealous when pulling the paper tight around the book! A title typed on my treasured antique typewriter brings it all together, I think.
The back of the flower press is plain newsprint apart from a centre column of seedhead motifs that I stamped from top to bottom in sepia ink. I used washi tape to stick the paper to the cover of the book and glued a small envelope inside the front cover for extra cuteness. Just because.
The last time I used my flower press was on a holiday to Cornwall last year shortly after we lost Lizzie, our little Westie. We had booked the holiday specifically so that we could take Lizzie with us and bring her along to walks by the sea, and afternoon tea in the courtyards of pretty farm shops. Although the holiday was lovely, I missed our little dog so much; I kept thinking how much I would have loved her to be there with us. One sunny afternoon we found a pretty, very tiny, courtyard as we hiked uphill from the seafront. I remember sitting with a strong coffee in the hazy afternoon sunshine in that little park. I spotted a beautiful hydrangea by the railing and snipped it to remember a lovely little holiday and my sweet little dog.
A new but very dear friend sent me the most special handmade album recently, devoted entirely to my two little Westies - Lizzie and our new puppy Lottie. This pressed hydrangea is destined for that book (which I will show you next time - it deserves a post all of its own).
It is Friday evening now; the sun has shone all day but it’s chilly now and time to light a fire in the front room. A glass of wine and perhaps a film beckon.
Have a beautiful weekend and thank you, as always, for being there.
Love
Nicki xx