KEEP PRESSING ON
As you know, every time that I get up early on the weekends to go grocery shopping, I always bring home flowers. I don't enjoy grocery shopping at all - it's one of those things that if I were wealthy, I would pay someone to do it for me. But since that's obviously not the case, I always like to treat myself with flowers. Last weekend I picked up some beautiful orange and deep purple ranunculus and while they are still doing great, there were a few stems that started to look a little pitiful. Instead of pulling them out and throwing them away - I had an idea that I would start to press some of the flowers into several of my favorite books.
The goal isn't for me to one day remove the flowers and make them into art (like many often do), but instead I want to keep them in the books for forever. One day, when I either loan the book to someone - or donate them to a thrift shop - or even leave them for the bad ass estate sale I plan to have after I leave this earth - knowing that someone will eventually find them and it will bring a little joy to their day - makes me really happy. Let me tell you how excited I would be to find a vintage or thrifted book with an old pressed flower inside that someone left years and years ago. Hmmm...maybe I will even leave a little note. Anyway - here's my process:
While this flower still looked gorgeous - the stem went to complete mush. So I popped it off and placed on one of my favorite pages in the book.
Next, I shut the book and then pressed on it a bit to start the process of flattening the flower. And repeat.
Finally, I stacked the books altogether and then placed some heavy items on top to continue the flattening process.
I don't know how long it will take for the flowers to completely dry and flatten - but because I plan to keep them in the books forever - it really doesn't matter. I do think I will check on them in a month or so to see how they're doing.
I really love this idea. I get to enjoy the flowers while they are still alive in my home, and then I get to transition and preserve them for their next owners later in life. I think moving forward, this is going to be a frequent ritual of mine.
