Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Hi ladies, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a way to make my flowers that I put in my mini books a bit firmer? I find they very easily smoosh up when the pages are closing. Any products out there that would do the trick? I am quite new to this so there very possibly could be something I don't know about. I did think of using like an ironing aid, spray starch kind of thing? What do you think? Lots to learn but loving the process.
Thanks in advance.
Chrissie
I saw a video once where the woman dipped the flowers in a mixture of hot UTEE and it hardend them...I will see if I can find it for you..Getting kids on the bus so it will be a little bit before I can...
I found Stiffen Stuff by Beacon does a good job of hardening flowers.
You want to spray the flowers, not dip them or they will puff up. You could do several coats to increase the stiffness of the flowers. It leaves a matte appearance to the flowers which is nice because I love the look of mulberry flowers. It does tend to darken lighter flowers a shade or two. The darker colors stay pretty much the same just deepen a tad. It appears to be acid free as well from what I've read.
I brushed Iridecident Medium on the petals of some that I made. I think I read about it in a blog somewhere. It gave them a shine and stiffened them up, but did not give a porcelain look.
Thanks so much ladies. You have given me some ideas. Margaret I haven't heard of Stiffen Stuff here in Australia but will do a search for it. Raws, yes I tried the Iridescent medium mixed in my paint when I painted the flowers and it did harden quite nicely but for the times I just want the 'flat' look without the shine I might need to try Winnie's suggestion. Thanks again ladies.
Chrissie
Are you talking about paper flowers or fabric/silk flowers? For either type you can use plain white glue watered down just a bit for a semi-gloss look. Matte finish Mod Podge will also harden them a bit. I use a clear glue like Crystal Effects if they're paper and I want them to have a glass like finish. If they're a fabric of some sort you could use a mix of 1 part sugar and 1 part water and paint that on. In the old days when I use to crochet, that's what I used as a starch for my doilies. Then the babies would get a hold of them and suck on them
Thanks ladies. I bought a product from my local scrapping shop here in Australia called "Ribbonstiff" so will try that. I also tried my "Fray Stoppa" which seemed to work quite well so I think between those I might have it under control. Thanks again for your ideas.
Not knowing what type of flowers you are using but I have used plain ole Elmer's Glue to stiffen things up.
I just lay down some wax paper, take a brush and brush on the glue on both sides of your project and lay on wax paper to dry........at least over night.
Also have seen somewhere on the net that a person put some clear embossing power in a small pot pie pan and melted it and then dipped her flower into it to make it look like enamel flowers. If I can find that tutorial again I will post.
Here's a tutorial from Laura Dennison about using UTEE to make "glass flowers". I don't know if this is the one you were looking for, but I hope it helps. She also has a more recent tutorial on YouTube making faux enamel flowers.
And if you want the front of your flower to be as natural as possible you only paint the back of the flower. It stiffens up but retains that untouched look.
Here's a tutorial from Laura Dennison about using UTEE to make "glass flowers". I don't know if this is the one you were looking for, but I hope it helps. She also has a more recent tutorial on YouTube making faux enamel flowers.
How to firm up flowers?
