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Although there are somethings we wish
could last forever or a moment we wish would never end,
ultimately they do. The memory of the special event,
however, can be preserved for us to recall and enjoy
for a long time to come. Drying flowers is a simple
and inexpensive way to preserve these cherished moments.
There are multiple ways to use your flowers and preserve
them for crafts and decorations. Whether they were a
gift, or from a special day they can be made into something
to enjoy long after that time has passed.
One way to preserve flowers and use in crafts is by
hanging them to dry. If you decide to preserve your
flowers whole, and intact, you will need to decide this
before they have fully bloomed. If a flower has opened
up too much, when it is dried the petals will fall off.
The brighter and more vivid the fresh flower is, the
better color it will have as it dries. If you want more
intense colors, be sure to start with that trait in
the fresh flower. If the dried flower will be used with
it's stem, it would be best to wire the stem while the
flower is still fresh. Then attach the flower, upside
down, to a wire hanger and leave in a dark place for
two to three weeks. If the dried flowers will be stored
a while before use, cover them with a light material,
such as tissue paper to keep the dust off.
Flowers preserved in this way can be used for a variety
of purposes. For a special event, such as a wedding,
some people want to preserve their bouquets. After following
drying instructions bouquets can be placed as a wall
hanging next to the wedding photo, in a shadow box,
or simply placed on a table or in a hutch. After flowers
are dried they can also be put back in a vase and set
on a table. If a single flower is preserved, perhaps
to save on space, it can be laid over the wedding frame
on in front of the wedding photo. Individually dried
flowers can also be used when making a wreath. Flowers
do not have to have special meaning, any flower that
dries well can be used to make an arrangement. In addition
to adding a variety of leaves, berries, ribbon or other
embellishments, dried flowers look beautiful in a wreath.
Sometimes less is more, if your wreath is not looking
right, try lessening the amount of items in it.
Flowers can also be preserved by being pressed. This
method is simple and can be used for things you want
to keep forever, or for special cards or invitations.
Although you can buy kits to press, they can also be
made by having several layers of cardboard stacked with
flowers laid out on each sheet and then bound with adjustable
straps that you can tighten to ensure a successful drying
process. Pressed flowers are very versatile in their
uses. When making wedding announcements a pressed flower
of the wedding colors is a beautiful addition to the
invitations. They can also be used to make cards or
baby announcements. Another option for pressed flowers
is to place them as a garden scene in an old window
or frame. Glue them on a separate piece of glass, not
part of the original frame, cut to the same size and
then placed and secured to the frame. Any size can be
attractive and used any where in a home, from a bathroom
to bedroom. The flowers do not have to be the center
of the picture, but can also be placed around a photo
or poem on the mat. This is a wonderful way to incorporate
the flowers to the event, but do it in a small, elegant
way.
If you can find a way to preserve special memories
they will bring joy for years. Although fresh flowers
are beautiful, dried ones can be just as enjoyable.
By finding various ways to use your flowers, you will
be surrounded by your memories and remember those happy
times when life might be more difficult.
About the Author:
Emma Snow is a creator at for Ornament Shop http://www.ornament-shop.net
and Craft Kits http://www.craft-kits.net
leading portals for crafts and ornaments.
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