Create nature windows

Dear Sandi: I wanted to get an early start on my Spring cleaning and in going through a closet I found a box tucked in the back corner that was full of blossoms and flowers that I had gathered and pressed a couple of years ago. Art these still usable for any projects or would they be too dry and fragile after this long a time and I should just toss them?
Cindy P. Newport

Hi Cindy: I thought I was the only one who stashed things away like that, only to discover them again years later! For those of us that like to gather things our “eyes are always bigger than our stomach” and we usually gather more than we are ready to immediately use, only to tuck the extras away for some future project, and then we forget that we have the stuff!

No, do not toss them out. You will want to carefully go through everything and weed out anything that is really faded, mildewed or is ready to crumble into dust. What you will have left is still quite usable although you may want to work with it slightly differently than you would with fresher material. Older material usually works best when it is used in projects where it can be “encased” in some other medium, thereby limiting or eliminating its exposure to air and the elements.

One of my personal favorite uses of pressed material, especially material that is a bit fragile, is to create window hangings, using old wooden windows that have been salvaged from houses or buildings that were torn down. The windows have their own architectural charm to start with and depending on the material you add to them, you can create some absolutely stunning effects.

So, here is what you want to do. First, find or buy yourself and old window. If it needs structural repair, do that, and finish the woodwork off in whatever way you deem appropriate for your project. Sometimes I will scrape, sand and repaint the wood, other times I might totally strip the paint to expose the raw wood, but probably the quickest and most often used technique, which is also my favorite look, is to simply wash the frame thoroughly and scrape off the loosest paint chips, then apply a matte sealer. This leaves the window looking old and loved.

Now for the fun part. Lay out your window (right side up) and your botanical material next to each other on a flat surface (the floor works great for this if you need a lot of room). Next, play with your pressed flowers, leaves, etc. on the window. If you have a single large pane then flowers that still have long stems on them are particularly dramatic. If you have multiple small panes you may want to feature different flowers on each pane. Obviously the options here are unlimited and will be dictated by both your personal taste and what materials you have at hand.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

Once you are happy with your arrangement, you need to remove the dried material but try to place it on your working surface so that you will be able to remember how you want it to be placed later on the window. Turn your window over so that the backside is facing up. Now you will need to pop into the kitchen and break 3 or 4 egg whites into a bowl. Do NOT stir or mix the whites at all, but do remove any bits of yolk or other impurities in the clear gelatinous whites.

Working with a small brush (I like to use those inexpensive sponge brushes) paint on a liberal amount of egg white on to the glass, being sure to get it into the corners also. Now, arrange your dried botanical material onto the glass, remembering that you are working from the back, so you will need to turn your material’s best side INTO the glass, with the backside facing you. Also remember that what you originally arranged on the right is now the left side, so work accordingly. If your window has multiple panes then only work one or two panes at a time, as the egg white will dry out rather rapidly.

After the entire window is done, allow it all to dry, then brush on another coat of egg white. It is at this point that I usually add a piece of handmade paper to the back of the glass, sealing in the flowers and adding a translucent quality to the glass. Depending on the type of paper you choose to use you can create endless different effects of texture, color and transparency. A final back coat of more egg

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

white will seal everything in and also make the paper more translucent.

You could, of course, always finish off the back with something more permanent than the egg white, some type of acrylic sealer, and in many cases this may be preferable. The advantage, however, to the egg white is that although it will last for years, it is also very easy to just wash off if you decide to do something different with the window.

I absolutely LOVE this technique. I mean, not only is it a perfect excuse for collecting and pressing all kinds of flowers, leaves, weeds and even seaweed, but also old windows! Hunting and gathering unusual botanicals and architectural salvage, does life get any better than this?!