Pressing flowers (and ferns)

You will need

Arrange the flowers between the sheets of paper, then slide them into the middle of the books.  Leave for about a week until they're pressed and dried out.

You can also dry flowers and leaves on a piece of absorbent paper in the microwave.  These flowers and leaves are dried, but not really pressed, so they're bulkier than the traditional ones.  The finer and flatter the plant, and the less moisture it contains, the better this method works.  Leave the plants in the microwave on LOW (20%) for no more than 1 minute at a time, repeating as necessary.  Leave at least 10 minutes before you open the door to check. 

Pressed-flower cards

You will need

Stick the flowers onto the card in whatever pattern you like - and there you are!

Pressed-flower candles and soaps

Candles look enchanting as they burn if you use a thin layer of melted candle wax to coat and stick them to the candle.  For soaps, use moist soap to stick on the flowers instead of glue.

[From Jackie French