The Most Convenient Way to Fill Your Rain Barrel

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Now it’s easier than ever to save fresh rainwater for your garden using your downspout. Here’s a smart British downspout diverter — well-regarded for its convenience and trim appearance — to fit American downspouts. The rain barrel diverter has powder-coated steel construction. For more details, check out this Downspout Diverter in the link below…

The Most Convenient Way to Fill Your Rain Barrel

more details here…

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Would ALL Wildlife Be Wiped Out If Society Collapses? The Answer May Surprise You

Would ALL Wildlife Be Wiped Out If Society Collapses? The Answer May Surprise You is courtesy of Total Survival

All hunters complain, at least one, about having to buy a hunting license. For that matter, they’ve probably complained that they were limited to hunting only during a few short weeks a year. But in fact, there is a very good reason why we need hunting licenses and we need a hunting season. That is, that without the restrictions that hunting season and hunting laws place on “We the People,” there wouldn’t be any game.

The History

When this country was first settled, it teemed with game. Early explorers were unanimous in their praises for both the quantity and the quality of wild game, ready for harvest by European long guns. Who hasn’t heard the reports of buffalo covering the Great Plains? The herds were so vast that they went on for miles.

Yet where are those vast herds of buffalo today? What has happened to the deer? The truth is that there have been times in our nation’s history where the game were all but extinct due to overhunting. Without proper controls, it could easily happen again.

In the early days of our country, wildlife flourished, especially deer. Reports dating from the early 1800s indicate that there were more deer in Illinois than there were when the nation was founded. Wolves and other predators had been hunted ruthlessly by farmers in order to protect their livestock. This allowed deer populations to grow, as the predators which killed them were nearly hunted to extinction.

Learn The Secrets Of A Veteran Hunter As He Demonstrates How To Quickly Field-Dress Game

But by the late 1800s, the deer population in Illinois had dropped to the point where they were virtually eliminated. Hunters, who were allowed to hunt year-round, without a bag limit, had killed off the deer. [1]

It took a major conservation effort on the part of the state of Illinois to repopulate the deer in their state, including importing white tail deer from other parts of the country. Now, deer are plentiful once again and hunters are once again harvesting deer in the fall. But restrictions are in place to ensure that overhunting doesn’t happen again.

Illinois isn’t the only state where this happened. As settlers moved westwards, they cleared out much of the wild game population in state after state. This was the result of not only hunters harvesting the game, but also of farmers taking much of the game’s natural habitat. Time and time again, animals were killed nearly to extinction, before conservation efforts were put in place.

The Problem Today

Image source: Wikipedia

Many survivalists and preppers talk about living off the land, following a societal collapse. But the population of the United States is much higher than it was in the 1800s. In 1800, the entire U.S. population was only 5.3 million people. A century later, it had grown to 76.2 million people. But today, we have about 319 million people.

Less than two percent of our population has a stockpile of food in their home. So, it’s reasonable to assume that most people will be looking for whatever food they can find. Without their normal food sources to depend on, people will be looking for everything from stray cats to edible house plants. Many, having heard of our ancestors hunting for food, will naturally assume that they can, too.

Just 30 Grams Of This Survival Superfood Provides More Nutrition Than An Entire Meal!

To even think that the current game population could support the current population of people is somewhere on the far side of foolish. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, we have more than 13.7 million hunters in the United States (as of the 2013 hunting season). With that number of hunters, it wouldn’t take long at all to lower game levels to a near-extinction point once again; and that’s without everyone else out there trying to hunt for food as well. (This is why it is so important to grow and raise your own food.)

But we have to remember: Not all gun owners are hunters. With somewhere over 300 million privately owned guns in the United States, there are many more people who will be out there trying to hunt, than the “real” hunters in our society. Even if those people are ineffective hunters, their mere presence will make the game go deeper into the woods.

Let me throw one more monkey wrench in the works here. The vast majority of our population is concentrated on the East and West Coasts, especially the Northeast and Southern California. Yet those aren’t the areas of highest game density. In fact, the areas of highest game density are where the population is lowest. So, the people with the greatest need will find that they will have the least possibility of hunting for their food.

This means that if anyone in the country would have a chance of living off the land, it’s the people who live in the lowest density areas of the country, especially Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas. Perhaps those people can depend on game to help them survive, but the rest of us are going to need other sources for our food.

What is your reaction? Do you think there is enough wild game to support America, post-collapse? Share your thoughts in the section below:

[1] http://ift.tt/2du0x8H

Learn How To ‘Live Off The Land’ With Just Your Gun. Read More Here.

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5 Awesome Apple Dip Recipes – Caramel, Chocolate, Nuts and Cheese

The post 5 Awesome Apple Dip Recipes – Caramel, Chocolate, Nuts and Cheese is courtesy of http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

One of my favorite things about fall is apple harvest – and apple dip! The thing is, last year I grabbed a container of caramel dip at the orchard without looking at the ingredients. When we got home, popped the dip container open and tasted it, I knew I had made a big mistake. It tasted like chemical preservatives and the texture was awful. The ingredient list took up one side of the container, and most of it was things that were hard to pronounce. We ended up tossing it.

This year I’m prepared! I raided my old recipe books and did some experimenting in the kitchen, and have put together five great apple dip recipes to share with you. We have Classic Caramel Apple Dip, Chocolate Almond, Maple Bacon, Walnut Ricotta Cream, and Pistachio and Blue Cheese. These are great for snacking or entertaining – heck, you could even add a few more dippers and make a full meal out of dips. Since everything can be prepped ahead, this would be a great option for holiday entertaining.

So, without further ado, let’s get to the apple dip recipe goodness! No chemicals, high fructose corn syrup or hard to pronounce ingredients allowed!

Note: To keep your apples from browning, dip them in lemon juice after slicing.

Homemade Caramel Apple Dip

Adapted from Favorite Recipes of America: Desserts including Party Beverages (1968)

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter

Break egg into a double boiler or heavy bottom saucepan, whisk lightly. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on medium heat, whisking frequently until mixture starts to bubble. Cook for a few minutes, whisking constantly, until thick. Do not boil at high heat or you are likely to overcook your egg and cream. Pour into a heat proof container (I use pyrex); cover and refrigerate. Mixture will thicken more as it cools. Makes around 2 1/2 cups. Keeps for about a week in the fridge. Also goes well with other firm fresh fruits such as pears or not too ripe bananas, and makes an excellent ice cream topping.

Homemade Caramel Apple Dip 2015-05-08 11:16:00 Make your own smooth and creamy homemade caramel apple dip with just four ingredients. Write a review Save Recipe Print 2645 calories 439 g 512 g 102 g 12 g 62 g 757 g 279 g 427 g 1 g 34 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 757g Amount Per Serving Calories 2645 Calories from Fat 895 % Daily Value * Total Fat 102g 156% Saturated Fat 62g 312% Trans Fat 1g Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 30g Cholesterol 512mg 171% Sodium 279mg 12% Total Carbohydrates 439g 146% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 427g Protein 12g Vitamin A68%Vitamin C2% Calcium56%Iron23% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients

1. 1 egg
2. 1 cup whipping cream
3. 2 cups light brown sugar
4. 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. Break egg into a double boiler or heavy bottom saucepan, whisk lightly.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Cook on medium heat, whisking frequently until mixture starts to bubble.
4. Cook for a few minutes, whisking constantly, until thick.
5. Do not boil at high heat or you are likely to overcook your egg and cream.
6. Pour into a heat proof container cover and refrigerate.
7. Mixture will thicken more as it cools.

Notes

1. Also goes well with other firm fresh fruits such as pears or not too ripe bananas, and makes an excellent ice cream topping.

Adapted from Favorite Recipes of America. beta calories 2645 fat 102g protein 12g carbs 439g more Adapted from Favorite Recipes of America. Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW

Chocolate Almond Apple Dip

Note: This dip recipe should be served warm, as it will stiffen up when chilled.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chunks, chips or baking chocolate (broken into pieces)
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (homemade vanilla extract is great if you have it)
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

Place chocolate, cream and butter into a heavy bottom sauce pan. Melt together on low heat, stirring frequently, until everything is melted and well blended. Add extracts and mix well. Serve in a fondue pot or hot right from the stove. Makes about 1 1/2 cup. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Recipe can easily be doubled or quadrupled for a crowd. Also goes well with nut halves, marshmallows, pound cake, shortbread cookies, bananas and other fresh fruit. Simply decadent over ice cream.

Chocolate Almond Apple Dip 2015-05-08 11:28:59 Easy chocolate dip for fruit or other goodies. Write a review Save Recipe Print 1546 calories 149 g 163 g 116 g 12 g 71 g 365 g 67 g 124 g 0 g 40 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 365g Amount Per Serving Calories 1546 Calories from Fat 1004 % Daily Value * Total Fat 116g 179% Saturated Fat 71g 353% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 36g Cholesterol 163mg 54% Sodium 67mg 3% Total Carbohydrates 149g 50% Dietary Fiber 13g 54% Sugars 124g Protein 12g Vitamin A31%Vitamin C1% Calcium16%Iron40% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients

1. 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chunks, chips or baking chocolate (broken into pieces)
2. 1/2 cup cream
3. 1 tablespoon butter
4. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Place chocolate, cream and butter into a heavy bottom sauce pan.
2. Melt together on low heat, stirring frequently, until everything is melted and well blended.
3. Add extracts and mix well.
4. Serve in a fondue pot or hot right from the stove.

Notes

1. This dip recipe should be served warm, as it will stiffen up when chilled.
2. Recipe can easily be doubled or quadrupled for a crowd.
3. Also goes well with nut halves, marshmallows, pound cake, shortbread cookies, bananas and other fresh fruit.
4. Simply decadent over ice cream.

beta calories 1546 fat 116g protein 12g carbs 149g more Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW

Maple Bacon Apple Dip

Because everything’s better with bacon.

Ingredients

• One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2-3 strips bacon, cooked and finely crumbled or chopped

Directions

This one is best whipped up in a stand mixer or food processor to make sure it gets nice and fluffy, although if you don’t have either you can mix by hand – just make sure your cream cheese is soft.

In a stand mixer bowl or food processor, whip together cream cheese and sour cream. Scrape down sides of bowl and make sure they are evenly blended. Add 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Blend well. Taste. Add more if you like a sweeter dip. Blend in crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired. Refrigerate and use within one week. Makes about 2 cups. This one would work great with apples and pears, hard bread sticks or pretzels, and possibly celery and kohlrabi strips, depending on your flavor preferences.

Maple Bacon Apple Dip 2015-05-08 11:40:49 Savory maple bacon dip is great with apples, veggies or crackers. Write a review Save Recipe Print 1198 calories 37 g 332 g 108 g 23 g 60 g 389 g 1303 g 34 g 0 g 34 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 389g Amount Per Serving Calories 1198 Calories from Fat 954 % Daily Value * Total Fat 108g 167% Saturated Fat 60g 298% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 29g Cholesterol 332mg 111% Sodium 1303mg 54% Total Carbohydrates 37g 12% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Sugars 34g Protein 23g Vitamin A74%Vitamin C2% Calcium38%Iron10% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients

1. One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2. 1/2 cup sour cream
3. 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup
4. 2-3 strips bacon, cooked and finely crumbled or chopped

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer bowl or food processor, whip together cream cheese and sour cream.
2. Scrape down sides of bowl and make sure they are evenly blended.
3. Add 2 tablespoons maple syrup.
4. Blend well.
5. Taste.
6. Add more if you like a sweeter dip.
7. Blend in crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.
8. Refrigerate and use within one week.

Notes

1. This one is best whipped up in a stand mixer or food processor to make sure it gets nice and fluffy, although if you don’t have either you can mix by hand – just make sure your cream cheese is soft.
2. This one would work great with apples and pears, hard bread sticks or pretzels, and possibly celery and kohlrabi strips, depending on your flavor preferences.

beta calories 1198 fat 108g protein 23g carbs 37g more Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW

Pistachio and Blue Cheese Apple Dip

I’m a blue cheese fan and also enjoy pistachios, so this tangy, crunchy dip sounded like a winner to me. Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996)

Ingredients

• 4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled is fine, since it ends up crumbled in the dip)
• 2/3 cup plain yogurt (6 ounce container)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 ounces pistachios
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Dash of salt

Directions

Add blue cheese to a medium bowl. Crumble finely with the back of a fork if needed. Stir in yogurt and milk and mix until well blended.

Shell pistachios. Rub off any excess husk/skin. Coarsely chop the nuts. Set aside a few for garnish, if desired. Mix the rest of the pistachios with the blue cheese blend. Place in storage container, cover and chill.

To serve, place dip in serving dish and garnish with reserved pistachios. Also goes well with veggies, slices of homemade French bread or pita bread. Makes a delicious and unique baked potato topping.

Pistachio and Blue Cheese Apple Dip 2015-05-08 11:54:39 Savory pistachio and blue cheese apple dip also goes well with veggies or as a unique baked potato topping. Write a review Save Recipe Print 1003 calories 38 g 109 g 77 g 49 g 30 g 395 g 1832 g 16 g 0 g 44 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 395g Amount Per Serving Calories 1003 Calories from Fat 658 % Daily Value * Total Fat 77g 118% Saturated Fat 30g 148% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 13g Monounsaturated Fat 31g Cholesterol 109mg 36% Sodium 1832mg 76% Total Carbohydrates 38g 13% Dietary Fiber 9g 36% Sugars 16g Protein 49g Vitamin A26%Vitamin C6% Calcium93%Iron23% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients

1. 4 ounces blue cheese (crumbled is fine, since it ends up crumbled in the dip)
2. 2/3 cup plain yogurt (6 ounce container)
3. 2 tablespoons milk
4. 3 ounces pistachios
5. Freshly ground black pepper
6. Dash of salt

Instructions

1. Add blue cheese to a medium bowl.
2. Crumble finely with the back of a fork if needed.
3. Stir in yogurt and milk and mix until well blended.
4. Shell pistachios.
5. Rub off any excess husk/skin.
6. Coarsely chop the nuts.
7. Set aside a few for garnish, if desired.
8. Mix the rest of the pistachios with the blue cheese blend.
9. Place in storage container, cover and chill.

Notes

1. To serve, place dip in serving dish and garnish with reserved pistachios.
2. Also goes well with veggies, slices of homemade French bread or pita bread.
3. Makes a delicious and unique baked potato topping.

Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996) beta calories 1003 fat 77g protein 49g carbs 38g more Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996) Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW

Walnut Ricotta Cream Apple Dip

Smooth and creamy, this dip would be a great light lunch option with some additional veggies and a crusty bread or pita. Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996)

Ingredients

• 9 ounces ricotta
• 5 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, chopped
• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Dash of salt

Directions

Mix ricotta and heavy cream in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in the chopped walnuts, reserving a few for garnish if desired. Mix in the parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill. Use within one week.

To serve, place in serving bowl and garnish with reserved walnuts. Would also go well with veggies, bite sized bagel pieces or slices of homemade French bread or pita bread. Makes an excellent baked potato topper!

Walnut Ricotta Cream Apple Dip 2015-05-08 12:00:28 Walnut ricotta cream apple dip also goes well with veggies or bite sized bagels. Write a review Save Recipe Print 1039 calories 19 g 232 g 93 g 39 g 41 g 397 g 407 g 2 g 0 g 48 g Nutrition Facts Serving Size 397g Amount Per Serving Calories 1039 Calories from Fat 808 % Daily Value * Total Fat 93g 144% Saturated Fat 41g 207% Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 26g Monounsaturated Fat 22g Cholesterol 232mg 77% Sodium 407mg 17% Total Carbohydrates 19g 6% Dietary Fiber 4g 18% Sugars 2g Protein 39g Vitamin A70%Vitamin C35% Calcium66%Iron20% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Does this look wrong? Ingredients

1. 9 ounces ricotta
2. 5 tablespoons heavy cream
3. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, chopped
4. 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
5. Freshly ground black pepper
6. Dash of salt

Instructions

1. Mix ricotta and heavy cream in a medium bowl until well blended.
2. Stir in the chopped walnuts, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
3. Mix in the parsley.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cover and chill. Use within one week.

Notes

1. To serve, place in serving bowl and garnish with reserved walnuts.
2. Would also go well with veggies, bite sized bagel pieces or slices of homemade French bread or pita bread.
3. Makes an excellent baked potato topper!

Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996) beta calories 1039 fat 93g protein 39g carbs 19g more Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Homemade Dips (1996) Common Sense Homesteading http://ift.tt/1zQyHsW Now you never have to “make do” with another sub par apple dip. Don’t forget to Share, Stumble or Pin.

You may also enjoy:

• How to Make Hard Cider
• Preserving Apples – How to Make Applesauce, Apple leather and Dried Apple Slices
• Honey Caramel Corn

Originally published in 2013, updated in 2016. Posts may contain affiliate links, which allow me to earn a commission to support the site at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

The post 5 Awesome Apple Dip Recipes – Caramel, Chocolate, Nuts and Cheese appeared first on Common Sense Homesteading.

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17 Ways to Storm-Proof Your Home

17 Ways to Storm-Proof Your Home was first published to http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

If you live in an area that is frequently hit by storms throughout the year, it is best to have your home built to withstand the weather. Of course having it insured will ease the stress off your finances if it does get hit, but taking the time to storm-proof your home will save you even more money and peace of mind.

There are a lot of ways to storm-proof your home. Some are more expensive than others, but you shouldn’t let the cost deter you. When it comes to natural disaster, it’s best to minimize your losses in any way possible. More importantly, storm-proofing your home will give you peace of mind that your family will be as safe as possible during a storm. When the unthinkable happens, you don’t want to be left wondering “what if” and regretting that you weren’t better prepared.

Here are a few storm-proofing methods that are sure to help your home weather any storm.

1. Scrutinize Your Home Exterior

Check for weak spots or areas that need even the slightest repairs. If possible, hire a licensed contractor to do the job, especially for large repairs. You might regret doing it yourself, unless you’re a qualified licensed contractor.

2. Use Durable Materials

Concrete can withstand large amounts of water and strong wind. Having your walls, foundation, and if possible roof made of concrete will make your house withstand a certain degree of pounding in the event of a storm.

3. Use Fire-Retardant and Waterproof Materials

A storm can cause electrical fires. The use of fire-retardant materials in your home can reduce such risks. In the case of a flood, waterproof membrane extending to the foundation to the wooden frame will prevent water intrusion.

4. Implement Flood-Proofing Methods

With any large storm comes the possibility of a flood. Factors like flood characteristics, structural and economic data should be taken into consideration in order to determine which of the flood-proofing methods you should be applying to your home.

5. Storm-Proof the Roof

The type of roof that your home has matters. Shingles, tiles, and metal roofs are among the most common. A qualified builder can help you install galvanized metal hurricane straps or additional braces to keep your roof from getting blown by strong storm winds.

6. Install Extra Fasteners for Roof Sheathing

Secure plywood sheathing to the roof rafters by using ring-shank nails or screws. Giving extra focus on the edges of the sheathing panels, use a tighter nail spacing typically 6 inches apart. Use the code-mandated, construction fastening system for uplift design roofing.

7. Install a Seamless Gutter System

See to it that the gutters are securely connected to your downspouts. Making the extra effort to extend your downspouts as far away from your house as possible will prevent moisture seeping into your foundation as well as your basement.

8. Clean your Gutters

A gutter free of dirt and debris will ensure the water will go where it’s supposed to go. If the flow of water is blocked it is bound to go somewhere. More often than not it ends up inside your home. You wouldn’t want that to happen.

9. Fortify Garage Doors

Garage doors are the weakest link in your home, according to the National Storm Shelter Association. Once you lose the garage, the whole house goes. You can replace your garage door or strengthen it by installing an aircraft-grade aluminum vertical bracing system.

10. Steel Storm Doors

Reinforcing your door with a steel frame coupled with steel and plywood on the entrances will give it a solid core. This will protect your door from being blasted inwards by flying debris. Make sure your steel frame is strong and solid to support the rest of the steel doors.

11. Strengthen Doors

You can purchase reinforcing kits from door manufacturers or you can bolster the fixed door at the top and bottom areas.

12. Protect your Windows

Installing your windows with shutters or a track system will enable you to easily slide the metal shutters in the event of a tornado. Make sure that the glass windows and doors are also impact-resistant for a higher degree of protection. Adding clear plastic hurricane window film will give added protection against broken flying glass pieces.

13. Keeping the Heat In

Robert Brenner is an expert in heating homes off the grid during emergencies. He says the use of different methods like wood burning stoves and insulation can keep your home warm during winter storms.

14. Keep Your Landscape Debris-Free

Get rid of dead branches and trim surrounding trees regularly or before a storm. Loose furniture and items in your patio or your lawn like trash cans, potted plants, and garden gnomes should also be removed as these can become projectiles once the storm brews.

15. Build a Safe Room

Despite all the precautionary measures and preparation for a storm, it is best to always have a plan B. The safe room would be your family’s go-to place should your home face utter destruction from a tornado or other storm. It is best to ensure your family’s overall safety.

16. Examine Your Home Insurance Policy

Check ou

Flood insurance, hurricane deductibles, unreported home improvements, coverage of valuables and the overall home valuation are just a few things to that a homeowner should really look into when getting an insurance policy.

17. Stay Informed

No matter where you live, you should keep up with local weather alerts. Some areas are more storm-prone than others, but no area is safe. Make sure you know when a storm is coming by signing up to receive weather alerts on your phone, or check the weather online frequently.

These are preventive measures that will help you storm-proof your home. Ultimately, as a homeowner you want to minimize the damage, shorten the time on repairs and lessen the overall cost. Above all, never lose sight of the end goal, which is to keep your family safe and secure in your home when a storm is coming.

Check out our other articles on surviving natural disasters:

Hurricane Safety Tips: Before, During and After the Storm

Severe Weather Survival Tactics You Need to Know

Weather Forecasting the Old Fashioned Way

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Read More Here: 17 Ways to Storm-Proof Your Home

How To Perfectly Press Flowers

How To Perfectly Press Flowers See more on: http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

Home Projects Crafts How To Perfectly Press Flowers

Did you know there’s more than one way to press flowers? If you have a flower garden and would love to see your beauties all the time, why not preserve them by pressing? I’ve listed three ways to perfectly press flowers and I can’t wait for you to try all of them!

How To Perfectly Press Flowers

From decorating your scrapbook to designing wedding invitations, pressed flowers the way to go to add an extra special touch to any DIY project. Still waiting weeks for your flowers to dry out in an old book? Our 3 easy tutorials are sure to “leaf” you inspired to create! Now let’s get ready perfectly press some petals!

Tutorial and Instructions

• For the best results, choose flowers that are naturally flat like daisies, pansies, violas, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, tulips and ferns. Bulky flowers like roses are harder to get completely paper flat.
• Choose perfect flowers, no holes or discoloration – we only want the best!
• Pressed flowers are extremely fragile. Handle with care!
• Use makeup oil blotting paper to help soak up water, insert a sheet on top of your flowers before you press to get the best results.
• Let your flowers have their space! When laying out flowers make sure they are not over lapping each other in the press, or else you will get one glob of petals. Okay, that’s about it for my pressing power tips, read below for how to flatten some flowers.

Pressed Flowers With Iron

Want to craft something cute in a flash? This is the method for you! In only minutes, you have some beautiful pressed flowers that are craft ready when you are!

Supplies needed:

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Paper sheets
• fresh flowers and leaves

Step 1:

Lay a sheet of paper down on your ironing board. Place flowers on top and cover with another sheet of paper. Lay heavy hardcover book on top. Try not to slide the book as this may damage the flowers. Push down on the book and wait 2-3-minutes.

Step 2:

Remove book, but keep flowers in paper. Take out iron and remove any water if it’s a steamer kind. Set the iron to the lowest heat setting (or dry, if your iron has it). Gone are the old days of waiting days for pressed flowers to dry. Irons turn fresh flowers into pressed flowers within minutes! Place iron down on paper and press. Hold for 10 seconds and remove, and repeat this process across the sheet. Do NOT drag across like you do on clothing, this will damage both your flowers and your paper. Remove flowers slowly to prevent tearing and set aside on another clean sheet of paper.

And that’s it!

Pressing Flowers With A Flower Press

Have some more time to invest in creating perfectly flat flowers? Try a flower press – easy to make and use. Flowers are ready to be used after 24 hours in the press.

Supplies:

• 2 7” x 7” wood squares
• Scrap cardboard
• Sheets of paper or blotting paper
• Fresh flowers and leaves
• Power drill
• 5/32” drill bits
• 4 screws
• 4 washers
• 4 wingnuts

Step 1:

image via instructables

First, cut or purchase two identical pieces of wood, and measure about 1” in from the edge of your wood corners with a pencil

Step 2:

image via instructables

Drill over your pencil marks through both boards at about 1″ in from the corner on all four sides. Place washers on the bolts and slide the bolts up through the bottoms of both squares. Make sure to add wingnuts on top to easily tighten and loosen your press.

Step 3:

image via gardenista

Take some scrap cardboard that is roughly the same size as your press. Trim off corners of cardboard so they do not interfere with the bolts of your flower press.

Step 4:

image via finegardening

Take your flowers and lay them out how you like on plain paper. Insert your flowers between your cardboard sheets and use the wingnuts to tighten and press. After 24 hours, you will have perfectly pressed flowers!

image via countryliving

Pressed Flowers With Wax Paper

This next method of pressing flowers is perfect for lightweight flowers. Once completed, you will have a sheet of translucent flowers that add rustic dimension to any craft project.

Supplies:

• Iron
• Ironing board
• Wax paper sheets
• Paper towels
• Small fresh flowers and leaves (small daisies or orchids)

Step 1:

image via homeheartcraft

The steps for this process is similar to pressing flowers with an iron, just replace the paper with two sheets of wax paper sandwiching your flowers.

Step 2:

image via homeheartcraft

Take some paper towels and lay on top of your wax paper, then press down with your iron for 10 seconds at a time. In only a few minutes you will have a sealed translucent sheet filled with flowers!

image via homeheartcraft

Did you know you can also do it from a microwave? See how in this video from thefrugalcrafter Lindsay Weirich:

Wasn’t pressing flowers easy enough? I know it can be intimidating at first but after knowing all the methods and options, it gets easy. I’m sure you’ll want to try making some yourself.

What was your favorite method? Let me know below in the comments!

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Read More Here: How To Perfectly Press Flowers