Andrea Gibson

Pressed flowers Masterpost

Hello, this is a masterpost of how to press flowers correctly, taken from a 1984 book (more info at the end of the post) and it was all in portuguese, so I translate it all, but english is not my first language, if any sentence is messy, let me know and I’ll fix it. And this is a more “professional” way to do it, you don’t have to follow all the steps, but keep in mind that the result will be different if you don’t follow them.

The drying and pressing process gives the leaves extraordinary delicacy. Care, patience and imagination is the only requirement!

When harvesting the leaves and flowers to be pressed, try not to break its branches, as this would damage the irrediavelmente plant.

Most species of flowers and leaves can be subjected to drying and pressing process, but the results may not always be satisfactory.

White or very light flowers often have a brownish hue when dried.

Blue and violet petals fade quickly

The yellow flowers are the ones that keep the color the longest.

Daisy, roses, carnations and tulips are flowers that, after drying, retain their beautiful colors very well.

Another thing to watch out for is volume: very large flowers and leaves should have their various parts pressed separately. 

Picking the flowers: always pick the flower that already bloom. Try to harvest them when the dew has already evaporated, ie at noon. This will facilitate the drying process. Press them immediately after picking them.

Preparing the Flowers: Now that you have harvested the flowers you will use, it is time to prepare them for the drying process. Remove the stem leaves from the flowers, each part should pressed individually. Remove any kind of dirt from the flower.

More delicate flowers like pansy, poppy, buttercup, daisy and primrose, for example, are easier to press, put them face-down on the press pad (Tutorial below)

Flowers like the daisy should have some of their thickness removed.

‘‘Image 2. a. How to cut it / b. Cup-shaped flower‘‘ CORTE = Cut here

Small flowers such as lily of the valley and forget-me-not can be pressed whole.

Cup-shaped stem flowers such as jasmine, tulip and hyacinth should be cut in half and each part will be pressed separately

Very large flowers, such as carnation rose and chrysanthemum, must be separated into petals before being pressed.

Pressing Process: First things first always press more flowers than necessary as damage to plant parts in the drying process is inevitable. Keep similar flowers in the same layer, do not mix flowers of different thicknesses. do not let them touch each other and leave a safe space for the plants to be stretched in the pressing process.

Arrange an even weight, any heavy object will do (Big and heavy books can be a weight for pressing flowers.) and the thicker the flower, the heavier it should be. After 2 days, remove the weight from your press pad, and very carefully remove the layers of damp newspaper sheets. Do not open the paper towel layer at all! Remove the wet newspapers and put very dry new ones, put them back where they were, with the weight on it again. This should be repeated at least 3 times, if you do not remove the newspaper sheets, the flowers will scoff!

To absorb moisture from the plants, you will need paper towels (can be replaced by WHITE napkins or off-set paper), a good deal of old newspapers and two wooden planks.

Press Pad:  To absorb moisture from the plants, you will need paper towels (can be replaced by WHITE napkins or off-set paper), a good deal of old newspapers and two wooden planks. 

First of all, dry the newspapers to be used, do not use moist newspaper sheets!!

How to do it: Make two layers with newspapers folded in half, and place on one of the wooden planks, also fold the sheet of paper in half and place it on the newspapers. The flowers will be placed in the middle of the paper towel (as shown below), and the other layer of newspaper will be placed on the paper towel (with the flowers in the middle), and the other wooden plank will be placed on top, like a sandwich…

‘’Image a4 and b. How to improvise a table tennis net press’’

The book suggests leaving it for 6 weeks!

Book: Artes Aplicadas (1984), Rio de Janeiro (RJ) 

u know what makes me lowkey sad? when someone says ‘i know it seems silly’ before talking about something they clearly care very deeply about bc u know that means someone gave them shit for caring that much about that thing before which is Fucked Up.

it's never too late to start your day

insomnia got you sleeping in until 2 pm?

that's okay. get yourself some coffee and go thrift shopping, no one will know

anxiety got you staring at walls until 8 pm?

it's going to get better. start a load of laundry and take a hot shower, so you go to sleep clean

depression keep you locked in your room until 11 pm?

it'll be alright. drive to walmart and buy some nice candles for your night, you'll wake up with something new

you don't have to start your day in the morning. i start at 5 pm sometimes and let me tell you, doing something almost always feels better than doing nothing. it doesn't have to be big or important. it doesn't have to be too much to handle. it's enough to wash your face, or comb out your hair. if you feel tired, it's enough to make a list of things you want to do tomorrow. don't let the clock hold you back. it's a piece of glass and plastic. you get to decide what a day is.

☆★ḺĒĞŞPØ★☆

(Please don’t reboot with tags)

workouts to do in bed!!

sk1nny tastes better than any food❤️

Transform Your Winter Arc: The Ultimate Guide to Your Seasonal Glow-Up ♥️

Winter isn’t just a season—it’s a vibe. While nature slows down, it’s your chance to turn inward, focus on yourself, and lay the groundwork for your best self. Embrace this winter arc as the ultimate glow-up season, and let’s make these cozy months count!

1. Cozy Up Your Self-Care Routine

Winter calls for all things warm, soothing, and nurturing. Think of this season as your spa retreat. Create a cozy self-care lineup that feels luxurious:

Deep Hydration: Treat your skin to rich moisturizers, soothing masks, and a gentle exfoliation ritual to keep that winter glow alive. Winter skin? Not on your watch.

Warmth & Wellness: Start or end your day with warm teas, a hot bath, or even five minutes of meditation. It’s all about feeling recharged and ready.

2. Set Your Winter Glow-Up Challenge

Nothing says level-up like a challenge that pushes you toward your goals every day. Let’s make it structured but fun—something you look forward to!

Weekly Focus Goals: Choose a focus for each week, like skincare, fitness, reading, or a creative skill. Keeping it fresh will keep you engaged and excited.

Mini Daily Habits: Pick a few small, daily habits to keep you on track. Try journaling, a daily walk, a few pages of a book, or morning stretches. Trust me, these small steps build big results.

3. Flex Your Mental Strength

Winter can be a test of resilience, but this is your season to build mental fortitude. Don’t just survive—thrive!

Reflect & Refresh: Use this time to journal on what you’re grateful for and set your intentions for the upcoming year. A vision gives you momentum.

Resilience Practice: Challenge yourself with something you’ve been putting off. Pick up that project, push your limits, or set routines that make you feel strong from the inside out. Winter’s a great time to build confidence that lasts.

4. Master a Skill Indoors

Winter gives you all the indoor time you need to get creative! Whether it’s learning something new or perfecting a skill, this season can be your best excuse to level up:

Get Creative: Try your hand at something artsy—maybe sewing, painting, or digital design. These creative outlets keep your mind active and inspired.

At-Home Fitness: Can’t hit the gym? No worries. Turn your living space into a personal workout studio. Try online workouts, yoga, or a stretching routine that keeps you fit without stepping outside.

5. Reinvent Your Style with Winter Magic

Winter fashion is all about layering, texture, and bold choices that bring out the season’s sophisticated vibes:

Layer It Up: Mix cozy knits, structured coats, and luxurious scarves. Winter is the season to go big on style and feel your best.

Elevate Your Look: Experiment with darker, moodier makeup or a chic red lip. Winter is the season for going bold, mysterious, and glamorous.

6. Plan for Your Spring Debut

Dream big this winter! Use this season to map out where you want to be when spring arrives and make that vision crystal clear:

Make a Vision Board: Fill it with images, colors, and words that embody the goals you’re aiming for.

Set Mini-Milestones: Break down your big plans into small, doable steps. By spring, you’ll be so ready to bloom.

Winter is YOUR season to refocus, recharge, and prepare to come back stronger than ever. Let the cozy vibes fuel your growth, and let’s make this the winter arc where you unlock your next level!

Here’s to leveling up, glowing up, and taking this winter by storm!