Elizabeth's Flowers

Breezy Northern Sea Oats

2012-07-25T11:51:00.000-06:00

It's been a really hot and dry summer here in southern Wisconsin. Many of my flowers have packed up and gone home, but my northern sea oats continue to dutifully sway despite the hot wind.

Isaiah 40:8 says, "the grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." I just assume that if I plant my flowers, fertilize, water, and weed, my flowers will bloom, as they always have. That's what always happens. But this year, with the hot winds, the rock hard ground, and the lack of moisture from above, they are few and far between.

Really, what can we truly count on in this rocky economy, this severe drought, problems popping up uninvited here and there? Actually, not much. But, thankfully, what we can count on is all we need.

Open Again!

2012-07-09T08:20:00.002-06:00

We've returned from London and everything is back in full swing here. Since our return it has been beastly hot here in Wisconsin, so I took it upon myself to do some much needed renovations on the Elizabeth's Flowers website.

The Paper Making Kits page is finally in catalog form, so you don't have to scroll down several miles to see each of the paper making kits we have available. It's much neater now, and less cluttered. Now, if I could only get my basement to look that way!

In celebration of this, and in order to encourage you to take a look for yourself, I am offering $5.00 off any order or more on elizabeths-flowers.com, for the next 25 customers, using the code: makepaper

Enjoy!

2012-06-02T21:07:00.002-06:00

We're sorry! We are closed for a bit, but Elizabeth's Flowers will be reopening on June 24th.

Cheers,

Pressed Flower Votive Candle Holder Gift Idea

2011-11-21T19:02:00.001-07:00

Flower pressing friends, here's a cool Christmas idea gift idea for you to make, that's unbelievable easy.

1. Glue a pressed flower of your choice onto each side of a triangle or square votive candle holder. I tend to prefer Perfect Paper Adhesive for gluing, but in this case any white glue should be fine. I also recommend using flowers pressed in a Microfleur microwave flower press since they tend to retain more of their color.

2. Tear a piece of white/translucent tissue paper into a square that will cover each flower by at least 1/8". You could also cut the square, but the torn edges give a much nicer, "artsy" look.

3. Cover one of the flowers plus an extra 1/8" of an inch around it with either matte Modge Podge, or Perfect Paper Adhesive. Place a tissue paper square on top, press out any air bubbles, and then carefully apply another coat of either Modge Podge or PPA over the tissue paper. Make sure to cover the edges of the tissue paper, but avoid getting excess on the glass. Repeat for each flower. Allow to dry.

There you have it! The tissue paper lends a certain whimsical look to the pressed flowers, and also helps protect the flowers. Avoid using greens since they readily fade unless you add some kind of pigment - with either water color, or markers such as Prismacolors.

For the candle holder above I used osteospermum flowers (a type of African Daisy) in several shades of purple. Which ever flowers you choose to use, be sure to have plenty on hand - everyone you know will want one of these!

Friday Fun

2011-11-04T08:05:00.000-06:00

Blogger has a fun new link out this morning. You can plug in your blogger name, and try one of their new dynamic templates, for a vivid new take on your blog. Take a look at the "snapshot" view of Elizabeth's Flowers. Fun! Don't you think?

If you have a blogger blog, you can plug in the name of your blog, and play around with the new templates yourself here. I love things like this, especially when they're free!

Ok, now it's time to go back to work.
Have a great weekend,

Are you upgrading to the iPhone 4s?

2011-10-29T13:22:00.000-06:00

I wish, but I'm sticking with my iPhone 3for awhile longer.

But, I did upgrade my blog so that it will look better on your iPhone, or any smart phone for that matter.
Click here while on your smart phone and enjoy!

P.S. Do you use blogger? If so, go to Settings and select "enable mobile phone" setting. I am thankful and pleasantly surprised when things like this are really easy.

New name, new site, new things to try!

2011-10-26T09:54:00.000-06:00

New name: Wooden Deckle paper making kits (formerly Going Green paper making kits)

New site: Wooden Deckle Paper Making Kits and Supplies

New things to try: Note card size mold and deckle , and a Rectangles Kit , and many other fun paper making things.

Special thanks to Nicole of Nicole Hacker Photography for providing photos of the paper making kits and mold and deckles.

Got Tomatoes?

2011-09-16T08:09:00.000-06:00

When Tom and the kids came home one by one last night, each one wanted to know how soon supper would be - the aroma of roasted tomato sauce roasting in the oven sent their hunger soaring.

A little sauce goes a long way with this recipe, because the roasting concentrates the rich flavors of the tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs. It's the perfect way to use up tomatoes when you have limited freezer space like I do.

Garden helper/hindrance

2011-09-14T14:29:00.001-06:00

Gardening is more of a challenge with a husky. Apparently he likes cherry tomatoes.

- Elizabeth

Strange new flower

2011-09-06T07:49:00.001-06:00

The first few of my new 'Henry Eilers' rudabeckia have just opened - aren't they odd? Can't wait to try to press them...

- Elizabeth

Lavender Bee Balm Pair

2011-08-08T09:19:00.000-06:00

Here's a pair of the lavender bee balm I picked the other day, in an 8 x 10" acid free mat, mounted on my handmade paper. The bee balm my neighbor friends and I have been growing for years is deep fuchsia or brilliant red, so I find myself really enjoying this laid back, peaceful looking native Wisconsin bee balm.

native bee balm

2011-08-03T08:10:00.002-06:00

I love this native bee balm I came upon while gathering Queen Anne's lace near our local dog park. I temporarily pressed it in a phone book until I was able to pop it in the Microfleur.

New picture soon to come...

Handmade gift tag surprise...

2011-07-26T09:46:00.002-06:00

As a heart felt "thank you," I send along a pressed flower gift tag in appreciation for each order. During busy times I don't always keep up (if I've missed you I'm sorry), but recently a friend started helping me make the small pieces of handmade paper, so I've been able to stockpile quite a few.

Customers regularly tell me that they frame the pressed flower cards they receive from me, but here's a first - a framed gift tag! I love it!

This tag is a calendula flower pressed in the Microfleur, mounted on a 2 x 2" piece of handmade paper from our gift tag mold and deckle kit. I also cover each gift tag flower with PPA (a great pressed flower sealant), to help seal in the color, and protect it from handling. They are so much fun and so simple to make - instant gratification!

Creative Framing with Pressed Flowers

2011-07-19T08:43:00.002-06:00

It's such a treat when my customers send pictures of my pictures in their new setting. I love to see where my creations end up!

A customer friend from Pennsylvania requested four pressed flower pictures mounted on my 5' x 5" handmade paper, so that she could insert them into some shutters she had modified. I was having a hard time imagining how they would look, but the results were absolutely beautiful! The colors of the flowers she requested match perfectly with the fabric below - what a cheerful addition to her sewing room!

Pressing crocus and wild violets in the Microfleur flower press

2011-04-15T11:54:00.001-06:00

"Hi Elizabeth, I love your blog and website and am ordering a microfleur press in the next day or two. I'd love to make my mom a mother's day card out of wild violets, but don't really know where to start. I looked at your crocus tutorial, but can't tell if you split the stem and flower into two parts, remove some leaves, or press the whole thing at once. Can you offer any advice for wild violets? They won't be here for long. Thanks so much." Melissa - Lawrence, KS

Hi Mel,

Thank you for your questions! First, regarding crocuses, I snip the crocus flower at the base of the stem, and I press the crocus whole - with out removing any of the petals. Sometimes, if I cut low enough a few of the leaves are attached, and I press them too, but usually I need to cut extra leaves and press them separately.

Regarding wild violets, cut the stem as close to the ground as you can, so that you get a nice long stem (violet stems are so perfect! I also use them for other flowers that have gnarly stems). Then cut off the violet flower at the back, where the stem and the flower meet. Be sure to cut some extra leaves as well.

If you are using the Microfleur, you will find the flowers will need more time in the microwave than the stems and the leaves, so press them separately. I gently press the flowers between my thumb and index finger before laying them on the Microfleur pads, so that they lay nice and flat. In my microwave, I give them about 3-4 30 second bursts on high. When I do the leaves and stems, they tend to only need one 30 second burst.

I hope this helps! As always, feel free to let me know if you have any more questions.

Ancient Botanical Art

2011-04-04T07:56:00.000-06:00

At the Oriental Institute Museum in Chicago on Saturday, I fell in love with these awesome ferns. They adorned an Assyrian palace, in approximately 3000 BC. I forgot the name of the king, but I think he had excellent taste.

The vase in the middle is 5000 years old! It's from Egypt, and did you notice the row of flowers along the top? The saying "there's nothing new under the sun" appears to be true. Artists have been using/borrowing the beauty of the plants God made in their creations since the beginning of civilization.

In a matter of days... pressing crocuses in the Microfleur

2011-03-23T12:39:00.000-06:00

Yellow Crocus Spring Greeting

12 x 12"

Pressed flowers on handmade paper

In a matter of days I will be pressing the first crocuses of the year (smile). This winter has seemed unusually l o n g to me, has it been that way for you? I'm hoping not. At any rate, my little purple crocuses have begun to peak out, and I am on the look out for the large yellow crocuses in the picture above which usually aren't far behind..

For those of you new to pressing flowers, you may want to check out my tutorial on pressing crocus flowers in the Microfleur. Crocuses are delicate, but with care both the flowers and the classy stripped leaves press very well. This year, since Easter is so late, I will have plenty of time to make pressed crocus Easter cards.

Amen.

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Love your iphone (or ipod touch, your smart phone, or whatever your technology of choice is) like I do? Then read this...

Beware: The Bible Is About to Threaten Your Smartphone Focus - Desiring God

www.desiringgod.org

I admit I am very distracted by my iphone. And my computer, and my kindle, but especially by my iphone... and have I have been really bothered by that. But this is a brilliantly simple strategy!

I love finding practical information (on my iphone) I can actually use! Now I'm off to spend some time on my Bible app to review yesterday's sermon topic...

Blue Cornflowers on Handmade Paper

2011-02-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

I love the handmade paper these cornflowers are on - it's very textured because it was never pressed after I pulled the sheet - it almost looks like stucco. I love how the wild texture contrasts with the simplicity of the flowers, but there aren't many flowers substantial enough to mount on such rough paper. Thankfully this trio of blue cornflowers do the trick perfectly.

2011-01-31T10:04:00.000-07:00

I went to a short course in writing a business plan Saturday morning, and what a gem of a morning it turned out to be!

For years I've known I should write a business plan, and I even halfheartedly began to once or twice, but this short, inexpensive ($35.00) seminar finally gave me the motivation, knowledge, and tools I needed to begin. I loved the instructor, he was a retired CEO full of wisdom, humor, enthusiasm, and valuable insights.

I've been working on my plan this morning - it's been completely painless, and am already a good part of the way done. My home business is indeed very small as small businesses go, but writing a business plan is forcing me to think things through, measure my results, and get a better handle on what I've accomplished, and what my options are for moving forward.

The seminar was sponsored by a great organization called SCORE, a branch of the SBA that provides professional small business guidance via volunteer business executives, many of whom are retired. In addition to very affordable seminars, they also offer free business counseling, which is my next step. I signed up on the Miwaukee SCORE website, and was able to specify what kind of business I am, and what kind of guidance I am requesting. I'll let you know how that unfolds.

I know a number of you who read my blog are on a path similar to mine, and wanted to let you know about this great resource. If any of you have already utilized SCORE, or have written a business plan, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Who me? The Stylish Blogger Award!!!

2011-01-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

Bless her heart, my friend Lisa from Lisa's Urban Nostalgia has given me the Stylish Blogger Award! I've known Lisa for a number of years, and have always enjoyed her bright personality and her amazing art. Please check out her blog, and while you're at it, check out her Etsy store too.

In order to accept this award, I am supposed to reveal 7 things about myself. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. When I was a student at UW- Madison I worked in a radioactive plant pathology lab (maybe that explains a few things).

2. Before I attended a Christian Camp called Fort Wilderness in high school, I had no idea why Jesus died on the Cross, and what that had to do with me.

3. One of the best times of my life was backpacking all over Europe for a month with a good friend after graduating from college.

4. Once I ran right into Walter Payton at a racetrack - literally. Wham! My nose slammed into his name tag. Even though I was the one not watching where I was going, he politely apologized.

5. Elisabeth Elliot is one of my heroes.

6. My Dad used to jump barrels while ice skating on the Manitowoc River in Chilton, WI. (I know that this is not about me, but I am running out of things to say.) He still does push ups and he's in his 80's.

7. You might not know this about me, but I love plants! And, before that, I really loved fossils. I have quite a collection, including a piece fossilized vertebrae, and a gastrolith (you might have to look that up).

There you have it. Now I am going to pass The Sylish blogger Award to...

KateXpressions - Karen is a new online friend of mine who combines both pressed flowers/botanicals and beautiful watercolor scenes in her note cards, which she sells on her Etsy store. I also love reading her wise, inspiring blog called the Sower's Corner, where she combines her strong faith everyday living. Please visit her blogs and her Etsy store - it will be time well spent.

Pressed Flower Artists: A great tip, from a kind reader...

2010-12-16T11:50:00.003-07:00

Back in September, Marj from Ontario emailed me with several questions about using Perfect Paper Adhesive (my go-to pressed flower sealant), but unfortunately she had one question I couldn't help her with.

She was having trouble using the PPA to seal pressed flowers that she had glued onto card stock, because in sealing the flowers with the PPA, a slight amount of PPA would get onto the card stock, causing it to warp. Because I glue my flowers onto my absorbent handmade paper, I've never dealt with warping, and didn't have an answer for her. But, recently Marj emailed me again, with a solution for her problem:

"In September you kindly answered questions I had about the Perfect Paper Adhesive. I have been having great success with the product since then and am so grateful for your help. I think that I was probably using a bit too much initially. Sometimes I 'top coat' the plant material first, placing it on a piece of baker's parchment paper (which can be re-used many times) to dry without sticking. Then I adhere the chosen bits to my card design. It is so reassuring to think that they are then hardy enough for the postal service."

I love the idea of "top coating!" I can see that coming in handy for a number of different projects I have planned, especially one involving rice paper... Marj also included the above Christmas card, and she says:

"...the 'balls' on the tree are hole punched from an autumn Bergenia leaf which turned a lovely red, and the star is a bit of Queen Anne's Lace."

Great ideas Marj! Thanks so much for sharing them, and your art with us!

Fireworks in December

2010-12-07T12:20:00.002-07:00

One of the new plants I couldn't wait to grow last spring was Burpee's exclusive Fireworks flowers , an unruly shockingly pink Globe Amaranth. What a fun flower! The ladies who walk past my house every morning stopped by several time to get a closer look, and even my kids, who are a bit "flowered out," as you can imagine, found them "cool."

Although they are dimensional, they ended up pressing very well in the Microfleur, and their flat, graceful stems are an added plus.

This piece of Fireworks pressed flower art is created on 5 x 7" handmade paper, and mounted on fine Gilbert Oxford card stock. It has been sealed with UV resistant polymers, and is ready to frame in the 8 x 10" frame of your choice.

You can grow your own fireworks next spring! The seeds are available here. If you are interested in purchasing a Microfleur, you can do so here, and, remember, free gift wrapping is available on all Microfleurs and paper making kits from now until December 20th.

Time to make gift tags...

2010-11-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

For the past few Christmas seasons I've been offering free Christmas gift wrapping on all Microfleur flower presses and Going Green paper making kits, and I've always included a free handmade paper gift tag. Sometimes it's a pressed fern/Christmas tree tag, other times a pressed Queen Anne's Lace flower/snowflake tag, either way, they are fun to make, and a great way to showcase two of my favorite things: pressed botanicals and handmade paper.

Here's a quick tutorial of my favorite way of making handmade paper gift tags...

Bold bee Balm

2010-10-19T10:37:00.001-06:00

"Bold Bee Balm," Pressed flowers on handmade paper
8 1/2 x 11" matted. October 2010

Some flowers are sweet and tranquil, like pansies or lavender, others are in your face so to speak, like bee balm. It's bold colored petals are arrayed like exploding fireworks, and being a member of the mint family, they conspire to take over your flower garden if given half a chance! And they are beloved by both bees and hummingbirds, so a person just about takes their life in their hands when trying to pick them...

Bold Bee Balm is a side view of two deep red bee balm flowers, mounted on my handmade paper, sealed with an invisible UV resistant coating, and is ready to frame.