A Pressed Hydrangea

Just as daffodils and forsythia herald springtime, hydrangeas are nature's way of saying, "It's summer!"

Southern Lady Magazine

I love hydrangeas and their big, bulbous buds. Just one stem is enough to fill a regular-sized vase.

They're still pretty when they wither and I thought I might try pressing it.

Good thing it fits my flower press!

I sandwiched it in between layers of paper.

There's a layer of cardboard, too.

I positioned the top piece of my flower press.

And screwed on the wing bolts.

Every day, I tighten the bolts to flatten it evenly.

After a several days in the press, here is my hydrangea...TADA!

Lift it gently and position it on a floating glass frame (I centered it on a piece of cloth to accentuate the petals and this also adds thickness in between the glass for a snug closure).

Secure the top glass and lock in place.

Display it in a favorite spot so it will feel like summer all year round...TADA!

If you don't have a flower press, you can use heavy books instead. It's fun to try out especially if you want to save sentimental flowers that you've received. 

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