STOP! You see those flowers that you just got for Valentine’s Day (yes, the ones from your significant other… or, in my case, mother)? Well, don’t throw them away just yet! Once they start getting a bit old and crumbly, you have an opportunity in your midst. Have you ever seen pressed flowers? I assure you they can look quite classy when you know how to make them and what to do with them. There are a multitude of uses for dried flowers, but, for now, we’re going to focus on bookmarks.

What you need to fix up your own flowers:

• Flowers
• Scissors
• Cardboard (or something of the sort)
• Glue
• Water
• A Cup
• Paper (to work on top of to keep the mess contained)
• Tissue Paper
• Tissues
• Paintbrush
• Glitter (if you’re feeling a little crazy)
• A Little Dash of Excitement (to wash away any remaining Valentine’s Day blues)
• A Collection of Some of Disney’s Finest (come on, you know you want to)

Step 1: The “Dry as Dust” Flowers

So, first things first, get yourself some flowers! You can pick them if you find any or use the ones you may have gotten (or even steal a few from a friend who may have had an actual admirer).

The only flowers that will work fo the bookmark are ones with small stems and thinner flowers. For example, roses are hard to use but small daisies work well. However, petals of larger flowers can be removed and used to form some neat designs.

When pressing, take the flower and place it on a tissue. Press the flower into the tissue in the fashion you desire. Press hard so it maintains the shape. Place another tissue on top and place it in a book. Place the book under more books for pressure and wait for about two to three weeks. Voila – pressed flowers!

(A Secondary Craft: If you have larger flowers, like roses, dry them off and hang them upside-down. With the stem above the actual flower, gravity creates pressure that allows all the moisture and nutrients to slowly move downward. This allows the flower petals to dry last, which maintains their color and shape. Hang these dried flowers around the room and on the walls – they make for a great decoration!)

Step 2: The Good Old Cut ‘n Glue Routine

Take your cardboard (or anything thicker than regular paper – I used a paper bag) and cut it into a strip that is about the size of a regular bookmark (big enough for your flowers to fit on.

If you used a paper bag like me, glue it so that it is as if it is only one piece of paper.

Take your glue and pour some into your cup along with some water (one part glue to three parts water) and then use your brush to mix it all up.

Brush your new mixture all over your bookmark paper/cardboard. Then, wrap your tissue paper over it in a neat, tight fashion.

Repeat this process until you are content with the thickness and consistency of your tissue paper. I used about 4 layers of tissue paper.

(A Tidbit of a Tip: Be sure to wrap the corners and edges, so that the cardboard is not exposed. It will dry out the bookmark too quickly and cause peeling.)

Allow for this to dry COMPLETELY before moving on to the next step! If you’re nearly as impatient as I am, then feel free to use an alternative drying source – sometimes time alone just doesn’t cut it. I used my makeup mirror because it gets hot, but hairdryers work well too!

Step 3: The Flower Placement and Covering

Place your dried flowers, petals, and leaves in the arrangement that suits your fancy.

Then glue each down individually with just the glue, not the mixture. I used the paintbrush because it was easier to use with the delicate materials I was working with. Be sure to press down firmly after applying the glue.

After all of the parts are glued, place a tissue over top of it and place it under a book to dry for a little while. When you take it out, it should be nicely flattened and firmed. If not, fix any messed up bits with that glue.

Dump your old glue mixture, and make a new one!  This time it will be three parts glue to one part water. Mix it up and paint over top of the entire bookmark – flowers and all (if desired, this would be the perfect time to add that bit of glitter). This will provide a nice semi-glossy consistent texture. You may actually want to let it dry and repeat this multiple times.

Step 4: The Satisfaction of a Classy Page Holder

Use it as a present or keep it for yourself! It doesn’t matter what you do with it – as long as you show it off!

End Note: Do not glue your fingers together. Do not glue your friends papers together. Do not eat the glue. Do not eat the glitter. Do not eat the flowers (unless told otherwise by a professional). Please, do not put anything in your mouth that is not explicitly meant to be there. Come on – you are more mature than this, people.