Our Leaf Press consists of a beautifully designed and crafted cherry and maple hand press and 50 sheets of watercolor paper. The kit option includes five magnetic, acrylic display frames also.
A Little Background from Tyler
My 7-year old daughter, Olivia, and I caught the "leaf identifying bug" in the fall of 2012. While out on walks we would pick a couple leaves off a tree and place them in a book, then hopefully identify them at home with a few tree identification field guides that I've bought over the years. During that autumn, she and I collected hundreds of leaves and we stuffed them in my old woodworking catalogs. A few months later, while searching for an indoor activity, we simply glued the leaves onto cut-up construction paper and added some identification notes. We slid the mounted leaves in some 4" x 6" acrylic frames that we had around the house and stuck them on the fridge for display. She and I were very happy with our creations!
We resumed collecting leaves in the Spring of 2013 and I discovered that my pressing technique was flawed because the Spring leaves contain more moisture than the dry, Autumn leaves. Pressing the wet, Spring leaves between the pages of books was not allowing them to dry and flatten properly, plus the moisture was ruining the pages. We needed a designated leaf press.
The Press:
Our leaf press is made of the finest American hardwoods available and is designed to last a lifetime. The sides are made of cherry; the dowel, screw and knob portions are made of maple. It measures 8 1/2" tall and 9 3/4" wide and is finished with Danish oil. The press includes 50 sheets of 5" x 8" acid-free, absorbent blotting paper that can be used over and over again.
The Frames:
Five acrylic (plexiglass) 4" X 6" "refrigerator" frames are included in the kit with basic gray "chipboard" inside. There is a piece of magnetic tape adhered on the back of the frames. If you wish, you may substitute the chipboard with construction paper, mat board or card stock.
How We Press Leaves and Flowers:
First of all, I've come to realize that the "academic" method of collecting, pressing and mounting botanical "specimens" is quite technical, and is based on rigid, botanical standards.
On the contrary, the techniques my daughter, Olivia, and I employ to press leaves and flowers are very easy and fun. It's a hobby - an enjoyable way to pass the time and learn about our natural environment!
When we go out specifically to collect leaves and flowers, we bring the press and the full stack of blotting paper - which can be used over and over. We choose a few nice leaves and flowers from a given tree and place them between the blotting paper sheets. We then put the 3/4" thick cherry block on top of the stack of blotting paper and place them into the press and apply pressure.
After a week, we take the dried, flattened leaves and flowers out of the press. We enjoy gluing our nicest ones to card stock, construction paper or the chipboard that we've included with the magnetic frames. We simply place a couple drops of white (Elmer's) glue on the back of the leaf or flower and flip it over onto the paper. Then, we use our fingers to clamp and smooth it out nicely.
We then slip the mounted leaf or flower in an acrylic frame and stick it on the fridge or any metal surface. Also, we like to write a note or two on the front or the back of the paper. These notes may include the common name, scientific name, shape description, date, location, or something personal; like, "my first Shantung Maple leaf found in Fort Collins!"
Also, Olivia frequently opts to turn her mounted leaves or flowers into birthday or friendship cards. Plus, we have made a few "Leaf Memory" games as well. Feel free to contact Tyler (970-690-0503) if you have any questions because I love talking leaves (and baseball.) You may also contact Olivia. She too loves talking leaves (and leaf earrings.) She now has her own etsy shop specializing in leaf earrings. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCopperCompass
Lastly, back in 2016, Tyler wrote an article about how to make a Pressed Leaf Memory game on his blog here:
https://www.tylermorriswoodworking.com/news/pressed-leaf-memory-game/
