Laura's Sweet, Fragrant, Romantic Blush Bridal Bouquet ~

Sweet, Romantic, Fragrant Bridal Bouquet of

Roses, Freesia, Ranunculus and Peony

 Floral Design by: King Florist, Austin, TX

 The black background and frame make these

blush tones really pop! 11x14"

Close up!

Thank you, Libby for trusting me with

your daughters gorgeous bouquet! ~ Annie

All Pressed Flower Art by: Annie Fentz Smith ~ Pressed Garden, LLC ~ Austin, TX

Chelse's Unique Bridal Bouquet with Lotus Pods and Cotton Balls!

Chelsea carried this beautiful unique bouquet of 

Lotus Pods, Cotton, Stock, Roses, Ranunculus, Chocolate Cosmos, 

Blue Delphinium, Carnation and Baby's Breath in her wedding! 

Floral Design by: Stella of Six Pence Florals of Austin, TX

Photography by: Addison Studios, Austin, TX

 Chelsea chose to have her bouquet pressed and preserved

on an ivory background and framed in a mahogany 11x14" frame!

These little heart petals were found down inside the red roses!

Thank you, Chelsea, for trusting Pressed Garden to preserved your

fun, creative bridal bouquet! ~ Annie 

How to Press Texas Bluebonnets ~

Ahhh....the beauty of a Texas countryside covered in 

Bluebonnets!

They blanket the Texas highways and meadows with their blue carpet 

from late March through mid April.  

 Bluebonnet's have a special place in every Texan's heart

and it is tradition to snap pics of family and pets

in the fragrant mounds of blue!
(This is my Engagement Photo!)

 So, can these beauties be pressed and preserved?

The answer is Yes!  But they are a little difficult!

 Bluebonnets tend to lose their color, so I try to help

them a little by trimming the stems and plunking them

down into fresh water and flower dye.  

I would think food coloring would work as well.

 Next, I trim the stems again, and trim the little flowerettes off of the back, 

laying them down between paper towel and chip board.

The flowers must be absolutely dry or they will mold and turn brown.

I then rubber band the chipboard/paper towel sandwiches together.

Place some pressure on top, like a brick or book.

It will take about 2 weeks to dry.  
After a couple of days, if the petals are browning, 
I place them in a dehydrator for about 5 hours on the medium meat setting or press in a Microwave Press, 100% power for 1 minute.

I put the leaves in a phone book.

 When the Bluebonnets are dry, they will look a little dull.

I perk them up with Copic Markers

(Blue Violet #BV08 and Spanish Olive #YG97)

I then go in with a toothpick and add the little white

dots with acryllic paint.

Here is a small piece I made for an Fund Raising Auction.

Bonus!  Did you know that the little pressed flowerets 

of Bluebonnet make great butterflies? 

I need to add a post script here about the legality of picking bluebonnets in Texas.  It is a longstanding myth that it is illegal.  Every Texan I've met was taught as a child that it was illegal.  It's not.  One quote I heard was "99% of Texans believe it is illegal to pick bluebonnets.  The 1% who don't are the police." Texas law says that it is illegal to impede traffic or trespass.  Annie's Law says, "Don't plunder them!  Enjoy a few and leave the rest for others to enjoy and so they will reseed and fill our highways with beauty! 

Have fun!!!

All Pressed Flower Art by: Annie Fentz Smith ~ Pressed Garden, LLC ~ Austin, TX

Honoring Mom ~ Memorial Art from Funeral Flowers ~

Flowers were gathered at a Mothers Memorial Service

to create these two Pressed Flower Art Pieces

 Roses, Blue Delphinium, Carnations and Fern

Wrap around a precious mother's photo like a summer garden!

Some of the Tear-shaped Beveled Glass Ornaments 

that were made from extra petals.

Rose Petal Pendants were also made for each of the daughters.

 Closer view of the Pressed Flowers

This was my mother arrangement it turned out amazing. 
Annie is a kind sweet woman who is very compassionate and has a warm personality. 
I could not have anticipated how it would turn out but I am very pleased and will treasure.
~Kellye 

  I'm very happy with your work on the memorial and have received 
several comments on the pendant. 
I cherish my memorial, your work is inspirational.

~Lynne

Thank you, Kellye and Lynne, for the pleasure of working with you and honoring

your mom by preserving her flowers! ~ Annie

All Pressed Flower Floral Preservation Art by: Annie Fentz Smith ~ Pressed Garden, LLC, Austin, TX