DIY Network

Flower Power Everything's coming up roses -- and daisies and pansies and other blooming beauties -- when you create these floral fantasies. From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-607

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Drying Flowers

Many summer flowering annuals are excellent for drying. Marigold, salvia, cosmos, zinnia, coreopsis and gloriosa daisy are among the most popular, although ageratum, dahlia, calendula, chrysanthemum, dianthus, aster and daisies also make beautiful dried specimens. This easy microwave technique creates gorgeous dried flowers without the wait.

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Materials:

silica gel for drying flowers
fresh flowers
scissors/kitchen shears
microwave-safe dish
aerosol hairspray

1. Cut the heads from fresh flowers (figure A).

2. Pour a base of silica gel into a microwave-safe dish. Place the flowers in the gel and add more gel until the flowers are completely submerged (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

3. Microwave on high, at one-minute intervals, until the flowers are completely dry. Check the flowers for dryness (with a fork or other craft utensil) after each minute of drying time (figure C).

4. Whisk away any silica resting on the dried flowers with a large bristle brush (figure D). Spray with aerosol hairspray to further preserve each bloom. The flowers are now ready to use in wreaths, as accents on picture frames, etc.

Figure C

Figure D

Framed Sun Prints With Photo Paper

If a picture says a thousand words, you can easily create your own essay with photo print paper that captures the shape and style of your favorite flower.

Framed Sun Prints With Photo Paper

Materials:

blueprint or sun-sensitive paper
cardboard or corrugated paper
cookie sheet
sewing pins (optional)
glass from a picture frame (optional)
bowl
water
timer
paper towels
flowers and greenery

1. Inside, away from direct sunlight, place a sheet of sun-sensitive paper, blue side up and white side down, on top of a piece of cardboard or corrugated paper. Place the cardboard and paper on a cookie sheet (figure E).

2. Place flowers and greenery (or an object) flat on the paper (figure F). Pin through greenery, paper and corrugated paper to prevent movement if it's a windy day.

Figure E

Figure F

3. Cover with a dishtowel to prevent exposure; carry the cookie sheet outside, place in bright sunlight and remove the towel.

4. Leave in the sun for 8 minutes; set a timer to make sure you don't leave the tray out longer than 8 minutes. In spring and fall, set the timer for 10 minutes; in winter the process will take 12 minutes. A UV lamp can be used indoors to develop the paper (figure G).

5. Rinse the paper by submerging it in a bowl of water for one minute, shaking it while it remains underwater (figure H).

6. Lay the paper flat on a stack of paper towels, or on an absorbent fabric towel; blot and let dry (figure I). When dry, place in a frame of choice.

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

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