DIY Pressed Flower Silhouette: Easy Art With Dried Flowers

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE PRESSED FLOWER SILHOUETTE DESIGNS

Download my Pressed Flower Silhouette files from my free library – look for Design #817. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.
In the SVG folder, you’ll find three silhouette shapes.
There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.
TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR SILHOUETTE DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
   
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse” and select the silhouette SVG file you want to use.
   NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the bird.
   
4. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
5. Click “Upload” to add the silhouette design to your Canvas.
   
   
6. Click “Save” and give your project a name so you can find it easily.
7. Open your frame and measure the height and width of the space for your design.
   
   
8. To make the silhouette into a frame, click “Shapes” and add a free square to the Canvas.
   
   
9. Click the shape’s lock icon to unlock its proportions, then change its measurements to match those of your frame’s opening.
   NOTE: I’ll make mine 10” wide by 8” high to match the frame in my supply list.
   TIP: Remember to match the orientation of your design.
   
   
10. Use the Color Box at the top to set the shape to white so the silhouette will stand out against it.
    
    
11. In the Layers Panel, drag the silhouette above the shape so it’s on top and in front of the background.
    
    
12. Position the silhouette where you want it on the shape.
    NOTE: I’ll select both elements and use “Align” and “Center” to put the bird in the middle for this design, but off-center is better for some designs.
    TIP: If you are using a different size frame, you may want to resize the silhouette. Just remember to keep the lock icon closed to maintain its proportions.
    
    
13. Once the composition is correct, select both the silhouette and the shape, then click “Duplicate” and drag the copy to the side.
    NOTE: We’ll use one layer for the cut outline and another as a drawn flower placement guide.
    
    
14. Select both layers of the original silhouette and shape, then click “Slice.”
    
    
15. Delete the “Slice Results” that look like just the silhouette, leaving the shape with the silhouette cut out.
    
    
16. To create the drawn flower guide on the background layer, select the silhouette in the copied design, then click “Effects” and “Offset.”
17. Set the Distance to “0.05” and click in the “Offset” panel to make sure the blue preview line is outside the silhouette.
18. Click “Apply.”
    
    NOTE: The new “Offset” layer might be a similar color to the original silhouette, so the results could be hard to see on the Canvas at first.
    
    
19. In the Layers Panel, select the “Offset” layer.
20. In the "Basic Cut" operation menu, change the “Offset” layer to “Pen” so the Cricut will not cut this shape.
    
    
21. With the “Pen” layer still selected, click the Color Box and set it to the “F - Fine Point (0.4mm)” in a light color option you have available.
    NOTE: I used “Honeysuckle.”
    
    
22. Confirm that the flower guide will be slightly outside the cut silhouette shape.
    
    
23. In the Layers Panel, delete the black “Basic Cut” silhouette layer.
24. If you want to cut your layers on different colors, click the matching “Basic Cut” layer, then change the color using the Color Box.
    NOTE: I’ll cut both layers from white cardstock, so I won’t change anything.
    
25. Select the flower guide and its white background shape together, then click “Attach” to keep the operations together.
    
    
26. Your project is ready to cut!
    
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your materials.
   NOTE: I’m using “12 in x 12 in” white cardstock for everything.
   NOTE: If you see a mat with just lines, your “Pen” layer may not have attached correctly, so click on “Cancel” to return to the Canvas to check and adjust as needed.
   
   
4. Select the first mat so it loads first on the next screen, and click “Continue.”
5. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your first mat.
   NOTE: I used the “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” material setting with “More” pressure for cleaner cuts.
   
   
6. Follow the screen prompts to select and add your pen in the clamp indicated.
   TIP: Remove the pen’s cap (put it on the back so you don’t lose it) and test it on scrap paper to make sure it flows well first.
   
   
7. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the correct clamp.
8. Place the cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat to cover the design area on the screen.
   
   
9. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
10. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
11. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
12. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
13. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the cardstock.
14. Cut the second layer of cardstock the same way.
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR PRESSED FLOWER SILHOUETTE

1. Start by looking through your pressed flowers and sorting them by color, size, and shape so you can see what you have to work with.
   TIP: The flowers are delicate, so use tweezers to move them. Since they’re so light, keep your windows closed so they don’t get blown away.
   
   
2. Choose flowers for each part of the bird before you begin gluing.
   NOTE: Teal flowers work well for the tail, white or pale blue flowers work well for the belly, darker blue flowers work well for the body and wing, and one tiny flower with a dark center can become the eye.
   
3. Place the bottom silhouette or drawn guide layer on your work surface so you can begin arranging the flowers inside the bird shape.
4. Lay a few flowers loosely on the bird without glue so you can test your colors and placement.
   NOTE: I started with big flowers for the main design sections I wanted to control (like using clusters of flowers with stems to mimic the look of tail feathers, using large white flowers for the belly, and large blue flowers for the back), and I filled in the remaining sections with smaller flowers.
   
   
5. Place the top silhouette cutout over the arrangement to check what will actually show through the opening.
   
   
6. Adjust the flowers as needed, remembering that the top silhouette layer will hide messy edges, extra overlap, and flowers that extend slightly outside the guidelines.
   NOTE: This is just a rough idea, so don’t get hung up on getting everything perfect. Some flowers might also have to be replaced during gluing, so try to save some duplicates.
   TIP: Add a thin leaf stem between the body and wing if you want a clearer separation between those two areas.
   
7. Once you’re happy with the rough layout, take a picture of it for reference.
8. Gently shift the flowers from one section out of the drawn shape so that you have space to add glue.
   NOTE: I started with the tail.
   
   
9. Working on a small section at a time, use a foam detail brush to add a thin, smooth layer of Matte Mod Podge within the outline.
   
   
   NOTE: If you want to leave more white space, you can use dabs of craft glue to adhere the flowers instead.
   
10. Pick up the flower carefully with tweezers or a weeding tool and place it onto the glued area.
    TIP: Gently reposition the flower right away if it shifts while the Mod Podge is still wet.
    
    
11. To blend color transitions, use your tweezers or weeding tool to lift single overlapping petals if you want a softer layered look.
    
    
12. Continue gluing the flowers one at a time, working slowly so the delicate petals do not tear.
    TIP: If a flower does tear, you can either remove it or layer another one on top of the damaged section.
    
    
13. Use tiny flowers to fill small open areas or cover spots where the base is still showing.
14. Choose a small flower with a dark center for the bird’s eye.
15. Temporarily place the top silhouette over the design before gluing the eye so you can make sure it will appear in the correct spot.
    
    
16. Glue the eye flower carefully in place with a tiny amount of Mod Podge on its back.
17. Test the top silhouette cutout over the project one more time and check the overall look of the bird.
18. Once everything dries, gently lift and shake the flower layer to make sure everything will stay in place.
19. Secure any loose petals with a small amount of Mod Podge.
    TIP: Avoid brushing too much adhesive over the flowers, since too much moisture can move, tear, or cloud the delicate petals.
    
20. Let the pressed flower arrangement dry completely.
    

STEP 4: FRAME YOUR PRESSED FLOWER SILHOUETTE

1. Once the flowers are dry, add the top silhouette layer or prepare the piece for framing.
   
   
2. Frame the finished pressed flower silhouette and enjoy your one-of-a-kind floral artwork.
   

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

Your pressed flower silhouette is ready to display!