| Flower Press and Lampshade |
From "DIY Kids"
episode DIK-104 |
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Flowers and leaves don't usually last very long, but you can change that by making a flower press to dry and preserve them. DIY Kids host Kent Lindsey and the DIY Kids show you how to make one. And once you've done that, you can learn how to decorate a plain lampshade with pressed flowers to brighten your room.
Materials:
Two 1/4"-thick pieces of plywood cut to 7" x 9"
Clamps
Four 3"-long 1/4" machine screws
Washers and wing nuts to fit machine screws
Five pieces from a corrugated-cardboard box
Eight sheets of kids' art paper
Pressed flowers
Spray adhesive
Spray shellac
Ruler
Pencil
Hand drill with 1/4" bit
Scissors
Safety glasses
Safety mask
- With a parent's permission, begin by measuring and marking the corners for the screws in one piece of plywood. They should be about 1" up and 1" in from the edge (figure A).
- Line up the second piece of plywood under the first, and clamp the two together (figure B). Drill the four corners, using a 1/4" drill bit (figure C).
- Make a small mark on the edge of the boards so you can easily match them up later (figure D).
- Cut out the cardboard and the paper for your press. First, trace around one of the boards on a piece of cardboard, and cut it to size. Place a drilled board on top of a piece of the cardboard. Make a pencil mark through the corner holes (figure E). Draw a cutting line, and remove the corners of the cardboard with scissors (figure F). Repeat to make five pieces.
- Use the cardboard as a pattern to cut eight pieces of art paper into the same shape (figure G).
- To start assembling the press, place a washer on all four screws, then thread them through the bottom of the press (figure H). Stack a piece of cardboard, then two pieces of paper, on the press (figure I). Continue this process until you end with the last piece of cardboard on top. Add the wooden top of the press, another washer on each screw and the wing nuts (figure J). Screw the wing nuts until the press tightens, and you're ready to start using it.
- To use your press, layer flowers and leaves between sheets of paper in the press. Each layer should be the same thickness (figure K). Screw the wooden top back in place. After a week, check for dryness. Once the leaves and flowers are dry, you can decorate your press.
- To decorate your press, take off the top and carefully remove the leaves and flowers, one layer at a time (figure L).
- Plan a design that you think will look good, then check with a parent to get permission to do steps 9 and 10. Take the press outside, and put on your safety glasses and mask. Spray a coat of adhesive on the top of the press (figure M). Arrange the leaves and flowers in your design on the sticky surface (figure N).
- Top with a coat of acrylic spray for added protection. Allow the press to dry (figure O).
Pressed-Flower Lampshade
Now that you've made a flower press, use it to dress up a plain lampshade. Materials:
Plain lampshade
Dried flowers and leaves
Craft glue
Decorative ribbon
Clothespins
Optional: spray shellac
- Start by drying and pressing flowers and leaves in colors and shapes you'd like for your room (figure P).
- Lay them out in a design you like on your lampshade (figure Q).
- Glue the leaves and flowers to the shade in your chosen design.
- Add a colorful trim to your shade by gluing ribbon along the top and bottom edges. Use clothespins to hold the ribbon in place while the glue dries (figure R).
- If you'd like a shiny finish, spray your lampshade with shellac. Make sure to ask a grown-up's permission before you begin. Use the spray outdoors, and wear safety goggles and a mask. Allow the lampshade to dry for 24 hours before using it.
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