For all of you flower pressers who would like more instruction, the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild is having a conference in June. Let me know if you would like more info! jpressed 4TH INTERNATIONAL PRESSED FLOWER GUILD CONFERENCE The World Wide Pressed Flower Guild will host the 2008 international conference from the 21st to the 23rd of June, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 1240 S. Walnut, Anaheim, CA (close to Disney World), USA. Pressed flower art is a vibrant and friendly art form. History says that it was in Italy in the 16th century that the change from reference herbarium to botanical art took place. Then, England and Queen Victoria gave it a lot of fame. Today pressed flower art is going through a "Renaissance", thanks to modern technologies. The microwave oven presses flowers in seconds or minutes. Time is an important factor today, but color retention is much more pertinent; a rose remains rose, a bluet stays blueÂAcid free papers and adhesives abound, effective sealing methods prevent deterioration. The Internet is a fantastic tool proving instant knowledge and communication. The pressed flower art world quickly benefited as old traditions from the Orient and diverse methods working with botanical material became available. In July, 2001, the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild was established as an entirely "online" organization which brings together the worldÂs pressed flower artists and promotes the art and craft of pressed flowers through the exchange of information, tips, and fellowship, and the exploration of new innovations and trends in all aspects of floral art. Presently the guild includes members from all over the world. Through its members and its efforts, the guild is fulfilling its goals, members are attending competitions, many win awards, and others have already written and published books on the subject. The conference in June, open to all, will include a competition and exhibition, international and local artists and teachers, and workshops for all levels in the art and craft of pressed flowers. For additional information, contact Kate Chu Telephone: (714) 998 6608 kate@pressed-flowers.com ###########################################################################

OK, those of us that remember the twirling paint pictures are really showing our age. Oh to be a child of the '60s and '70s! You yungins' just don't know all of the fun things that you missed. I just thought of a fun thread . . . Do you remember (blank)? BTW, I totally agreed with Syreeta on which flowers those were. I thought the top one might be a lily, too. And I had the bottom 2 correct. Shauna

Does anyone know how to seal the slit on a piggy bank and the spout of a teapot so they can be used as part of a garden totem?

Good to meet you Posieh, thankyou for the reply. I love pinecones! I have quite a collection,my parents live near a pinewoods and I always collect them when I go to visit. I don't know my way round here yet, I wanted to put some floral art stuff in the gallery,but I can't work out which forum or gallery is suitable. Nice to meet another 'arranger'!