Published: 15 May 2025

Summer is a season of fresh flowers, longer days, and a wonderful excuse to get crafty. If you’re looking for a peaceful, nature-inspired activity to enjoy with the family (or just on your own with a cuppa), pressed flower bookmarks are the perfect project. They’re simple to make, beautifully personal, and a lovely way to preserve a bit of the summer from Holker Hall & Gardens—or your own.

Whether you plan to gift them, keep them, or pop one into your current read, here’s how to make your very own DIY flower pressing bookmarks.

What You’ll Need

Most of these materials can be found around the house or picked up easily at a local shop:

  • A small selection of flowers or leaves (flat ones work best: think daisies, violets, ferns)
  • Baking paper or blotting paper
  • Heavy books or a flower press
  • Plain card or craft paper (bookmark size)
  • Glue stick or clear-drying craft glue
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch and ribbon or twine (optional)
  • Contact paper or laminating sheets (optional, for durability)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pick and Prepare Your Flowers

Start by gathering your flowers or leaves. Choose ones that aren’t too bulky—flat, delicate blooms tend to press more easily. If you’re visiting Holker Hall & Gardens, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the borders and woodland walks, but do be mindful not to pick anything unless it’s from your own garden.

Gently pat your flowers dry with kitchen roll to remove any moisture.

2. Press the Flowers

Place your flowers between two sheets of baking paper or blotting paper. Pop them inside a heavy book and add a few more books on top, or use a flower press if you have one. Leave them for about 7–10 days, or until they feel dry and papery.

Top tip: Check them halfway through to make sure no moisture is trapped, which can lead to browning or mould.

3. Plan Your Layout

Cut your card or craft paper into bookmark-sized strips. Before gluing, lay your pressed flowers on the card and have a play around with the arrangement. Less is often more—choose a few complementary petals or leaves to create a balanced, elegant design.

4. Glue Everything Down

Once you’re happy with your layout, carefully glue each flower in place. A glue stick works well for delicate petals, while slightly heavier pieces might need craft glue. Press gently so as not to damage the flowers.

5. Finish and Protect

If you want to add a ribbon, punch a hole at the top and thread one through. To make your bookmark last longer, you can seal it using contact paper or laminate it. Just make sure the glue has fully dried before sealing.

Make It Your Own

These bookmarks are easy to personalise. Add hand-lettered quotes, drawings, or your child’s name to turn them into keepsakes or thoughtful gifts for teachers, friends or grandparents. They also make perfect additions to birthday cards or summer-themed hampers.

Inspired by Nature

Crafting with flowers is a lovely way to celebrate summer and slow down. If you’re on the lookout for flower-spotting ideas, Holker Hall & Gardens offer seasonal displays that change throughout the year—ideal inspiration for your next bookmark. From woodland wildflowers to formal borders, you’ll never be short of a petal or two to press (again, just from your own patch).

Why not make a day of it—gather flowers in the morning, press them over the coming week, and settle down with a good book and your handmade bookmark once they’re done? It’s a simple pleasure that connects creativity, nature and mindfulness—all wrapped up in one small project.

Looking for inspiration? Why not visit Holker Hall & Gardens?