On my online workbook this week: Getting a head start on all that Fall-ing

Dear

This week's inspiration is… getting a head start on Autumn designing by using dried flower material.

The tip for you today is a simple one… but it works so, so well!

Often when you bring home a whole basket of autumn leaves some of them will start to fold or shrivel up before you are completely done with your design. Yes, they can be pressed in a book to be absolutely flat but then you have to wait a while to design… and the result is an unnaturally flat and brittle shape. My trick to restore the shape of not quite dry, dried plant material is to use body heat and a bit of patience to press them flat. Gently roll open the leaf (I say leaf but this also works with dried flower petals) so that it is in the shape you want it. Place on the pad of your thumb and press down on it with the pad of your finger. Keep it like that for about 10 seconds to set the new shape. Floral design magic.

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

Ps: and I can’t resist because you might need this information… another tip from my book (turn to page 110 to 127 where I talk about preserving and designing with dried flowers and foliage) -if the plant material is slightly dryer and more brittle than you want it to be spread a thin layer of body lotion (Vaseline Intensive Care works brilliantly) onto brittle flower material to make it pliable again.