Self Sufficiency
How To Perfectly Press Flowers

Home Projects Crafts How To Perfectly Press Flowers
Did you know there’s more than one way to press flowers? If you have a flower garden and would love to see your beauties all the time, why not preserve them by pressing? I’ve listed three ways to perfectly press flowers and I can’t wait for you to try all of them!
How To Perfectly Press Flowers
From decorating your scrapbook to designing wedding invitations, pressed flowers the way to go to add an extra special touch to any DIY project. Still waiting weeks for your flowers to dry out in an old book? Our 3 easy tutorials are sure to “leaf” you inspired to create! Now let’s get ready perfectly press some petals!
Tutorial and Instructions
- For the best results, choose flowers that are naturally flat like daisies, pansies, violas, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, tulips and ferns. Bulky flowers like roses are harder to get completely paper flat.
- Choose perfect flowers, no holes or discoloration – we only want the best!
- Pressed flowers are extremely fragile. Handle with care!
- Use makeup oil blotting paper to help soak up water, insert a sheet on top of your flowers before you press to get the best results.
- Let your flowers have their space! When laying out flowers make sure they are not over lapping each other in the press, or else you will get one glob of petals. Okay, that’s about it for my pressing power tips, read below for how to flatten some flowers.
Pressed Flowers With Iron
Want to craft something cute in a flash? This is the method for you! In only minutes, you have some beautiful pressed flowers that are craft ready when you are!
Supplies needed:
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Paper sheets
- fresh flowers and leaves
Step 1:
Lay a sheet of paper down on your ironing board. Place flowers on top and cover with another sheet of paper. Lay heavy hardcover book on top. Try not to slide the book as this may damage the flowers. Push down on the book and wait 2-3-minutes.
Step 2:
Remove book, but keep flowers in paper. Take out iron and remove any water if it’s a steamer kind. Set the iron to the lowest heat setting (or dry, if your iron has it). Gone are the old days of waiting days for pressed flowers to dry. Irons turn fresh flowers into pressed flowers within minutes! Place iron down on paper and press. Hold for 10 seconds and remove, and repeat this process across the sheet. Do NOT drag across like you do on clothing, this will damage both your flowers and your paper. Remove flowers slowly to prevent tearing and set aside on another clean sheet of paper.
And that’s it!
Pressing Flowers With A Flower Press
Have some more time to invest in creating perfectly flat flowers? Try a flower press – easy to make and use. Flowers are ready to be used after 24 hours in the press.
Supplies:
- 2 7” x 7” wood squares
- Scrap cardboard
- Sheets of paper or blotting paper
- Fresh flowers and leaves
- Power drill
- 5/32” drill bits
- 4 screws
- 4 washers
- 4 wingnuts
Step 1:
image via instructables
First, cut or purchase two identical pieces of wood, and measure about 1” in from the edge of your wood corners with a pencil
Step 2:
image via instructables
Drill over your pencil marks through both boards at about 1″ in from the corner on all four sides. Place washers on the bolts and slide the bolts up through the bottoms of both squares. Make sure to add wingnuts on top to easily tighten and loosen your press.
Step 3:
image via gardenista
Take some scrap cardboard that is roughly the same size as your press. Trim off corners of cardboard so they do not interfere with the bolts of your flower press.
Step 4:
image via finegardening
Take your flowers and lay them out how you like on plain paper. Insert your flowers between your cardboard sheets and use the wingnuts to tighten and press. After 24 hours, you will have perfectly pressed flowers!
image via countryliving
Pressed Flowers With Wax Paper
This next method of pressing flowers is perfect for lightweight flowers. Once completed, you will have a sheet of translucent flowers that add rustic dimension to any craft project.
Supplies:
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Wax paper sheets
- Paper towels
- Small fresh flowers and leaves (small daisies or orchids)
Step 1:
image via homeheartcraft
The steps for this process is similar to pressing flowers with an iron, just replace the paper with two sheets of wax paper sandwiching your flowers.
Step 2:
image via homeheartcraft
Take some paper towels and lay on top of your wax paper, then press down with your iron for 10 seconds at a time. In only a few minutes you will have a sealed translucent sheet filled with flowers!
image via homeheartcraft
Did you know you can also do it from a microwave? See how in this video from thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich:
Wasn’t pressing flowers easy enough? I know it can be intimidating at first but after knowing all the methods and options, it gets easy. I’m sure you’ll want to try making some yourself.
What was your favorite method? Let me know below in the comments!
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NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.
The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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