FLOWERS FOR FRAMING AND FUNDS

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Lay the closed magazine on a hard, flat surface (the attic floor is low in humidity and out of harm's way). Bring out the heaviest—bricks, dictionary, etc.—and place them on top of the improvised flower press. The blossoms will be dry and flat in a week or two.

Meanwhile, you can be collecting the rest of the materials. Buy or find inexpensive black velvet (short, flat nap is the best and least bulky to work with). Frames can be bought complete in local discount stores—at a cost of 69¢ to 90¢ for three-by-five-inch or five-by-seven-inch sizes—or picked up at roadside flea markets for next to nothing. Look for those with the glass intact. Missing backings don't matter . . . cardboard taken from laundered, folded shirts or cereal boxes is ideal in weight and stiffness. The finish of a frame, too, is unimportant. Sandpaper and a can of spray paint work wonders for a quick refurbishing.

Cut the cardboard 1/4 inch smaller all around than the opening at the back of the frame. Next, prepare a piece of velvet about 1/2 inch larger than the backing and glue it over the cardboard, clipping and trimming the corners to reduce the bulk. Dried ferns and flowers can then be set on that background in any desired arrangement. Just place the materials . . . don't glue them, or the petals will be discolored. Each picture is unique and the variations endless. Simple designs, though, are best.

Clean the glass well, dry it and place it over the flowers. With the covering well pressed to the velvet, turn the creation over (backside up) and slide the whole works slowly into the frame. As long as the glass is held firmly, the blossoms won't slip out of place. Practice will enable you to do this fearlessly and well.

Then glue kraft paper (the brown grocery bag kind) over the back of the frame, clean the glass in front and the picture is finished. My first attempt took my beginner's thumbs half an hour to assemble. Now I need only 15 minutes for each floral ornament.

My craft began as a means of keeping all the beautiful life of summer for my own pleasure . . . but soon grew into a source of gifts which I gave friends and relatives on all occasions. Even so, it took a lot of convincing from Ron—my husband—and other fans before I was ready to try marketing my craft. The first time out, I felt most comfortable approaching a nearby community store that specialized in the sale of homemade articles (and particularly local goods). From there I went on to more commercial shops. I shouldn't have been reluctant . . . my pictures were welcomed.

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