Customer Reviews

Microwaved Pressed Flowers: New Techniques for Brilliant Pressed Flowers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

They said it best when they wrote, "Joanna Sheen is a leading authority on pressed flowers and all things floral." It's so wonderful to have a book written by someone who has been doing this craft for 21 years....now THAT'S when experience talks! I've been pressing flowers and other botanicals in books and wooden presses for ages, and I'm so glad to have discoverd the revolutionary method of microwave pressing.

Like all of her books, Joanna takes you step-by-step through the process: when and how to collect the best specimens, materials and construction of your microwave press (as WELL as tips on traditional book pressing and wooden presses), using your press, preserving and storing your pressed flowers when finished, keeping microwave records, tips on improving your end results, common problems and troubleshooting, and then she has a number of GORGEOUS and crafty projects you can use them for. She even gives you some great tips on pressing VEGETABLES, and has a table of suitable flowers to press, including their names, colors, and pressing notes/coments/tips. See her website www.joannasheen.com for some great examples of her pressed flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

Some of the projects in the book include, but not nearly limited to: decorated scented drawer liner, floral lampshade, pressing and displaying wedding and special occasion flowers, decorated a dressing table, picture frames, a recipe box (with chillie peppers!)and cards, hat boxes, flower pots, bottles, pencil boxes, and various floral framed art.

The back of the book has several blank pages with lines for you to take notes when experimenting on your own, which she recomends in the book. And facing each lined page are gorgeous scans of specimens she has pressed.

If you enjoy plants and flowers in art, and you enjoy crafts, you can't live without this book for your personal library. TRUST ME!

This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn the easy, quick, more mistake proof way of pressing flowers. It's useful tips and wide variety of gorgeous projects make it suitable for crafters of all levels and tastes.

The book starts by helping you choose the right flowers for pressing, including a large chart that lists flower name, color and special notes such as whether it is difficult to press or has a variety of interesting shapes. It also gives some basic information on traditional pressing including instructions on making a press.

Details on microwave pressing are next including making a simple microwave press and step-by-step instructions accompanied by small photos of the drying process. Advice on storage, record keeping improving your results and avoiding common problems is also here. There are even extra preparation tips for dealing with difficult pollen, rosebuds and stems.

Over 20 projects follow including simple cards and stationery and covered items such as boxes and furniture, as well as designs under glass. All projects include a supply list and written step-by-step instructions. The instructions are good with a large full-color picture of the project is shown, but the specific flowers used are not listed. This gives you the flexibility to use your favorites that are available to you. My favorite project, called secret garden, features a vast array of flowers in a frame. I also loved another with flowers pressed in front of a window scene. I enjoyed a rocker decorated with morning glories, pretty scented drawer liners and a collaged musical hat box as well.

A helpful section in the back includes a chart for record keeping and beautiful flower images as well as a good index. I have tried a few pressed flower projects in the past but this book has inspired me to make that the focus of my crafting efforts this summer.

This is a must have book for anyone wanting to press flowers, as microwaved pressed flowers keep their color and shape much better than the old "flowers in a phone book" method. The instructions for making your microwave flower press and then how to use it are easy to follow. In the back of the book is a place for record keeping, so that you can keep track of how long it takes specific flowers to dry. The book is full of ideas for using pressed flowers, all with full color photographs that make you want to create every single one. The ideas range from framed pressed flowers to decorating furniture with pressed flowers, and many other wonderful things in-between.

A good overview of traditional presses as well as instructions for using a homemade microwave press. A list of flowers and herbs commonly pressed, including notes for each with pressing tips. Instructions for greeting cards, drawer liners, floral lampshades, boxes, picture frames, flower pots and furniture decorated with pressed flowers, and framed pressed flower pictures with lists of materials, instructions, and over 100 photos & diagrams. 112 pages hardcover

I don't often search backwards to do reviews on my purchases from amazon.com, but when I come across a book I think others should truly enjoy, then I leave my opinion. I am currently 56 in the grandma generation and I am the local Flower Lady in my small town where I sell flowers on a card table out front for .10 each. I've been doing it for 13 years as of this season, and it has blessed me in so many ways. And I was thinking how much I would like to preserve this experience of joy in raising flowers for my grandchildren and future generations to look back and learn who I was long after I am gone. So I decided to make pressed flower artwork behind glass. I had seen some at a local craft store and they are just to beautiful to behold. It is gray and wet here in our winters and to have these flowers pressed and in a picture on the wall kind of blesses us in the same way a fresh flower bouquet almost always brings a smile to one's soul. So this book is the huge answer to how to preserve my favorite thing to do and let my family to yet be born, look back and see who I was ... The Flower Lady, kids will see me in town and as if they saw Santa Claus, they will whisper to their moms, "there's The Flower Lady" mom. Can you even begin to imagine the joy that brings to my soul. This book is excellent, clear to understand and really updates the art of preserving flowers. It is an excellent book if you want to try this way to preserve flowers for whatever reason.

I have two copies of this book--one to use and one to loan to friends who share my love of flowers. It is beautiful. I'm making favors for my niece's wedding with inspiration from this book.

I don't know how the others can give this book such a high review. Maybe they're friends or relatives of the author. The book is so amateurish that the photo on the cover is fuzyy and out of focus!! And the projects are not interesting. Don't buy this book. Two stars was too good for this book.

This book is full of a variety of different projects with easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, and beautiful full-color photographs.

I was excited to get this book and try out microwave flower pressing without having to purchase an expensive press and so far I have been very pleased. It is early spring and I have only been able to press pansies at this point but they have come out very nicely. I had trouble finding the "blotting paper" the book suggests so I at first tried newsprint with and without paper towels for padding and have finally ended up with 6 pieces of construction paper cut to fit. It does take some trial and error to find the right balance with your microwave and supplies.

I am interested in using the pressed flowers for cards, bookmarks, and maybe a nice framed collage if I can manage it. Most of the projects in this book I won't be making but they give a good general idea of how the flowers can be used.

So far I would definitely recommend this book for any crafter who wants to try this easy, quick method of pressing flowers and I am hoping once summer flowers are available I will have similar success.

I was a bit disapointed in the book itself. I was hoping for more information than it provides. The shipper was awsome though. Book is in good condition and packaged very well.