Tag: DIY

  • DIY Tutorial – 5 tips on How to Press Flowers

    Why to press flowers:

    Flowers are a beautiful gift of nature which don’t stay same for long . One way to preserve your favorite flowers is by pressing them . It’s a simple process and I am sharing 5 basic tips on how to press flowers . These easy tips will help you avoid the common mistakes and get great results .

    Pressed flowers find their use in a number of DIY decor projects . They are very useful as embellishments in various art items. You can use these as framed art , make greeting /invitation cards or add them to decor items like candles ,vase or wall plates .

    pressed flowers and leaves on a wall decor paper mache plate
    Wall plate decorated with pressed flowers

    Items needed:

    1. Flower /petals/leaves for pressing
    2. Book or Newspaper
    3. Heavy object (to place on top of book )
    4. Blotting paper (Optional) .

    5 tips for pressing flowers:

    1. Press Flowers at Earliest 

    If possible ,carry a small notebook which can hold the picked flowers for the time being. Flowers wilt and wrinkle easily if you put them in hand or directly inside a bag .

    After reaching home, put the flowers between clean sheets of paper or inside a book. Take a heavy book like a dictionary or telephone book . Choose a book that you don’t mind getting damaged as the moisture from flowers can spoil the pages.

    You can even put the flowers between pages of an old newspaper . Add a couple of heavy books or any heavy object on top for adding weight.

    Choose a dry place as humidity doesnt let the flower dry well and leads to mold. Keep flowers away from direct light as sunlight affects the color of the flowers.

    Pressing flowers using parchment paper
    Pressing flowers in an old diary

     

    2. Selecting the Flowers  

    To avoid mold , pick flower/leaves which are free from any moisture, dirt and soil  . Preferably, pick the flowers in daytime to avoid the morning dew.  

    Different variety of flowers and leaves for pressing
    Collection of flowers and leaves for pressing

    3. Decide the Final Look

    Pressed flowers lay flat which gives them a distinct look from fresh flowers . Depending on the petals arrangement of flowers being sparse or dense the end result after pressing varies. You can take just the petals if you don’t like the look of full flowers after pressing .

    Press the same flower sideways and face down to see the change in the outcome. Gently adjust the petals  with your hand or tweezers to set in a desired shape.

    pressed flowers and leaves on a wall decor paper mache plate
    Adding leaves with pressed flowers on a wall decor plate

    4. Add Greenery to Flowers

    Along with flowers ,most of leaves and grass look very beautiful after pressing . Adding a couple of leaves is a great way to compliment flowers and give a natural look to the arrangement.

    5. Pressing Duration

    Most flowers take 2-4 weeks to dry fully .Initially you can open the book to check the flowers for signs of moisture. Be patient and don’t disturb the arrangement frequently.

    Useful Tips:

    1. Flowers are fragile and get brittle after pressing and need to be handled gently . You can also use tweezers while working with pressed flowers .
    2. Pressed flowers fade with time with exposure to direct sunlight . You can seal them to preserve them a little longer . The simplest option for protecting your projects is to apply Mod Podge or watered down PVA glue over them.
    Frame artwork made using vibrant colorful flowers and leaves
    Framed art using Pressed flowers

    I hope that you will try to press different kind of flowers and find the tips in the article useful. If you are looking projects that use pressed flowers ,do check my DIY posts.

    If you have more questions,feel free to ask them in comments below .

  • DIY Tutorial – 3 Tips To Paint Surfaces Like a Pro

    teal paint on old plastic chair
    DIY – Painting Old Chairs

    Honestly speaking , paint jobs are one of the easiest Do – It – Yourself ( DIY) projects.

    But there is a single biggest reason why DIYers end up dissatisfied with the final look of their paint project . They don’t give enough importance to surface preparation prior to paint and end up with a lousy paint job . Surface prep plays a big role in the final look and the longevity of your paint job.

    I am listing 3 general tips you need to follow when you paint any surface.(Common ones are Wood,Metal,Plastic or a wall of your room )

    Important Note : Ensure personal safety  

    Even if you plan to paint a small object , it’s important to take sufficient safety precaution.

    Always wear protective gear like gloves and a dust mask while working with paint . Ensure that you have a well ventilated,dust free working space . Cover the area with a cotton drop cloth or an old bed sheet. This will reduce the time required for cleaning up the spills and spatter .

    Covering Up the Surface before paint . (Image source : Taelynn Christopher work on Unsplash.)

    Tip 1 : Cleaning the surface 

    Thoroughly wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove all the accumulated  dust ,dirt or grease. Use a detergent or a cleaning chemical, if required.(Especially in case of old metal or wood surface). With a scraper or a blunt knife remove all the loose,cracked paint layers . Also remove stickers or labels , if any . Leave the surface to dry completely.

    If the surface is not clean , it will offer poor adhesion to new paint making it prone to flaking or peeling in future .

    Tip 2 : Sanding down the surface

    Sanding is the process of smoothing a surface by grinding or rubbing with an abrasive such as a sandpaper. Sandpapers are categorised on the basis of Grit size which is usually a number. Smaller number means coarse grit, while a large number indicates a fine grit. Sanding gives a roughened surface or a “tooth” for paint to adhere/ latch onto .

    • For Wood, use a medium or fine grit sandpaper ( P100 or P220). Sand till smooth if its fresh/bare wood and sand lightly for previously painted one.  
    • For Plastic,sand gently with a fine grit sandpaper (P320 or P400 ) as it tends to scratch easily . Focus on shiny smooth areas as paint finds it difficult to stick on these areas.
    • Don’t sand Glass surface as it tends to scratch easily. 
    • Metal** surface should be sanded to get rid of rust or scales ,if any . Scratches on metal are clearly visible hence sand them very lightly using fine grit sandpaper (P220, P320 or P400 ).

    ** Note- On Galvanized surface paint sticks very poorly and it requires additional action to prepare them for paint .

    Sanding wooden surface

    Just keep in mind that you don’t damage your surface while sanding. Sand gently in circular motions to reduce scuff marks. As sanding generates a lot of dust , always wear gloves and a dust mask. Prefer open spaces or cover your workspace well  to protect it from the dust. 

    After sanding wipe clean the surface with a soft damp cloth followed by a dry lint free cloth. It’s easy to clean this fine dust with a damp cloth but if you use a cloth too wet you’ll get a chalky layer of moist dust on your surface.

    Once you finish cleaning let the surface dry properly as moisture can ruin your paint .

    Tip 3 : Prime the surface

    Why do we need to prime ?

    DIYers usually work with old, previously painted surfaces. Priming gives you a clean slate to start and helps you get a smooth paint finish for dilapidated projects . It also help to protect the original surface from ageing due to exposure.(especially for wood and metal )

    Primer has two purpose mainly :

    • Primer increases durability of your paint . It acts as a middle layer and improves the adhesion of paint to surface. This save your new paint from peeling or chipping in future . 
    • Primer gives excellent finish to your DIY paint job while keeping it economical as they are cheaper than paint . After 2 coats of primer, single coat of top layer paint is generally enough for a smooth finish . If you don’t use primer you will need extra paint coats for similar finish .

    Primer is very helpful when you are trying to change color ,especially while going from darker shade to lighter one.

    Pick a primer based on the paint you are using and the material of the surface. There are different types of  primer available for wood, masonry, metal, etc. Two coats of primer are sufficient with enough drying time between each coat .

    Please note, for glass surface, you can directly apply the paint . 

    Giving base coat before paint

    General care tips :

    Following points will come in handy if you are a beginner who is starting a DIY paint project :  

    • Cover up or fill any dents or holes in your project before you apply primer/paint . Depending on the surface the method may vary for this.
    • Multiple coats are important. This extra step will provide longer life and smoother finish to your paint . It’s advisable to invest a little more time and do that second coat. 
    • While working with multiple layers , let your surface dry completely before you proceed to the next step. 
    • If you are a beginner ,be very careful while sanding.  Always start with a fine grit size as they can’t cause much damage to your project. You can move down  to a smaller  grit size once familiar with sanding.  
    • Delay or avoid in humid conditions as it means drips and slow drying for paint.
    • For cleaning your surface always use a clean lint free cloth . 

    Lastly,as a rule of thumb remember that the time spend in preparing the surface decides the final outcome . Now that your surface is ready you can go ahead and finish your paint job like a pro. Happy painting !

    PS – This article only meant to give beginners a general idea .  After knowing the basics you will be equipped at handling your project requirements.  This post does not cover all the possible details for different scenarios .

  • Easy Tips : How to make flowers last longer

    Easy Tips : How to make flowers last longer

    One thing we all can agree on is that fresh flowers look great and have the power to brighten up a room all by themselves. Every time I see fresh cut flowers I secretly wish I had the superpower to make them stay fresh and last a bit longer than a couple of days.

    However,in the absence of a magic word that would keep my flowers from wilting, it is more of a “learning by doing ” and I am sharing everything I learned hoping to make life easy for your flowers .

    The mantra for keeping flowers fresh is –
    “Give them food & slow the bacterial growth” .

    The effect of these 5 simple tips on your flowers will surprise you , so don’t laze out on them , because we know you love those flowers more than you want to admit .

    Fresh flowers lift your spirit

    Step 1 : Do it ASAP

    When you bring the flowers into your home from the garden or a florist make sure to get them into water at the earliest but first remove all the plastic or paper . Also,rid the stems of dirt by washing them under running water .

    The more you delay and leave flowers without water , lesser is their life .

    Step 2 : Picking the vase and place

    Choose a vase with sufficient room at the bottom for your stems and a mouth large enough to allow air circulation . Make sure you wash the vase thoroughly.

    Ideally most flowers will last longer under cooler conditions hence try to keep your flowers away from harsh conditions like direct sunlight and high heat .

    Step 3 : Prune the flowers

    Firstly remove all the leaves which will be going inside the vase as they tend to rot quickly leading to the growth of bacteria.

    Now cut each stem at an angle with a sharp knife. You can use scissors too but be careful as they tend to crush the stems . Angled cut stem allow better water absorption.

    Note : It is advised to cut the ends under running water .This will renew the water vessels and keep air from entering the stem ,as air bubbles interfere with water absorption .

    Step 4 : Feed your flowers

    Since your flowers are not getting any food , giving them sugar solution will ensure a longer life . The downside of sugar is that it will also  help the growth of bacteria .

    Within 3-4 days bacteria create slimy ,gunky residue on stem ends and the water  will start to stink( Rings a bell , doesn’t it ? ). This also prevents the stem from taking up water causing more trouble for your flowers  .

    To counter this you need to add an agent that will slow the bacterial growth like Apple cider vinegar .

    Flower food mixture :

    To make the flower food , mix 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar in 1 cup of water. Alternatively you could use 1:1 tablespoon ratio of sugar and salt in one cup of water .

    The ratio is variable depending on the number of flowers  and amount of water you take.

    Old as good as new !

    Step 5 : Repeat the cycle

    It is very important to change the water every day or on alternate days to reduce bacterial growth .If it’s possible , wash the vase from inside ,especially its walls.

    When you change water make sure to re-cut the stem and remove all the wilting ends to keep a check on the inevitable bacterial growth .

    You will need to top the fresh water with sugar  and salt/vinegar mix as you did above .

    Also , water wisely.

    You don’t have to fill the vase upto brim. You just need to feed all the stems.

    This will give you enough margin to snip a bit of stem every time you change water.

    Lastly , observe and improvise everytime you bring fresh flowers home. All flowers behaves differently but with experience, you can get a better idea on how to take care of them. .For eg , I personally prefer Chrysanthemums as their life is 2-3 weeks.

    My 2 week old flowers

    Fingers crossed, I am sure that the above 5 tricks will tip the scale in your favour and you will emerge a winner with long lasting flowers(Drum rolls playing in background !! )

    If you have any new suggestions or tips which have helped you keep your flowers  fresh, do share with us in the comment section .

     

    If time permits,do read the articles below to get a better understanding of fresh cut flowers : Read 1 , Read 2  and Read 4