Wildflowers are plenty this year and one of my favorites seem to be blooming early this summer, Queen Anne's Lace is also known as the wild carrot but I don't use it for that purpose, I make snowflakes out of them! Summer snowflakes are easy and fun to make, but the key ingredient for this project is patience! All you have to do is gather as many QAL as you'd like, shake off any bugs as they like them too. Cut the flower head off at the base of the stem leaving very little so they will lay out flat. Press in a flower press or in a big, heavy book. I've used both and both look equally well, just make sure you place them in between 2 sheets of waxed paper, esp. if your using the book method. Months later, check once a month to see if they are fully dry. I like to keep them pressed for at least 4 months, giving me time to make snowflakes for Christmas.
Once dried, you can spray paint them white or lightly spray with spray snow for a festive effect or you can leave them naturally, like I do and seal them with a clear spray. You may need to spray them a second time to get the effect you want or if they are not stiff enough to hang on a tree. Once you have your snowflakes compete and ready to decorate with, don't forget using them on packages, homemade cards, craft projects or even home baked goods. The sky is the limit and the QAL is plenty so get out now and harvest some. This is a fun summer time project with the kids, now and again at Christmas time. And if your really into natural crafts, you can also make a jelly from QAL, just google the recipe! Snowflakes aren't just for winter anymore!
I have always liked these, so lacy and delicate..I love how you call them summer snowflakes....do they hold up well as everlasting? If I wanted to put them in a vase? If I sprayed them? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat summer time project! I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this idea and the kids will too! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBTW... Love you background!! How cute
Have a wonderful day.
Love Carissa
Very pretty, I have never seen these plants before, I'm guessing we don't get them round here : ( xxx
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to dry flowers but wasn't quite sure how to go about it. Thanks for sharing this info. :)
ReplyDeleteI kept planning to do this last year when you mentioned it. I really must try it this year. My step mother really likes snowflakes.
ReplyDeleteI just need to DO it!
Frugal gift!
Your friend,
Laura
My all time favorite wild flower!!!!! When I lived in Virginia, there was a whole field of them, and I couldn't pick enough!!!! I dried mine in silica gel. (why they call it "gel" I don't know, as it is like salt in texture. I did it in the microwave. Also, you can get a terra cotta flower dryer. It's two flat pieces of terra cotta, about 6 x 6, with a padded cloth between the two pieces. You put your flower on the cloth, between the terra cotta pieces, and put it in the microwave. They come out perfect in just a minute or two. Really great if you need your flowers NOW!
ReplyDeleteThey are OH SO pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteI made some last year after we talked about and just remembered they're still in one of my flower presses. I gotta go see what it looks like! lol I forgot them!
Have a BLOOMin good day girlie!
Thanks for the tip. I'm going to do that!! Just a thought, where will we press flowers when the Nook, Kindle, e-readers etc. take over? I hope we don't loose the art of flower pressing.
ReplyDeleteHow cool. I remember one year in my 4-h craft leader life, we made a huge wreath and my one 4-H-er (that year) and I walked around the farm collecting QAL, daisies, and a few perennials out of my garden. We were able to dry most of them in silica gel in the microwave. It was tricky but it worked. I like your idea much better. Natural! Anyway, my 4-H'er made a beautiful wonderful wreath with lots of QAL. Love them! -Tammy p.s. Soooo enjoy your PINS, Sue - this is fun, fun, fun! ;)
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