How To Keep Pressed Flowers In A Journal (7 Easy Ideas To Try!)
If you’re wondering how to keep pressed flowers in a journal or scrapbook, then you’re in the right place.
I love to make botanical junk journals and I’ve also recently become interested in nature journaling, so I use pressed flowers and leaves in my artwork and journal pages all the time.
So, without further adieu, here are seven easy ideas for you to try, which will allow you to showcase your flowers and leaves in fun and beautiful ways within your journals.
How To Keep Pressed Flowers In A Journal (7 Easy Ideas To Try!)
1. Tape or glue pressed flowers onto your journal pages and ephemera

Perhaps the most common way to keep pressed flowers in a journal is to simply tape or glue them onto your journal pages and ephemera.
This is ideal if you want to make notes about the plants next to each specimen or you want to create a beautiful journal page quickly and easily.
If, however, you want to take things up a notch, then the rest of my ideas will help you to do just that!
2. Make your own specimen cards at home

Specimen cards are a very common sight within nature journals and botanical junk journals – and there are lots of different ways to make them.
I recently shared a video tutorial for specimen cards that have their own coordinating pocket made from scrapbook paper.
They’re easy to make and look great as floating pockets you can move around your journal. Alternatively, you can glue them onto your page as a large tuck spot or bellyband. Check out my video now >>
You might also like the look of this faux specimen card printable from SAACIBO on Etsy. I’ve bought the kit, but I have yet to print it out. I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as I’ve tried and tested it.
3. Turn playing cards into unique specimen cards

Another way to save pressed flowers in your journals is to turn playing cards into specimen cards, which also double up as small journaling cards.
While I used stickers for mine, you could easily substitute these for real pressed leaves and flowers.
Check out my video tutorial to see how to make them >>
You might like to use these to write short notes about the specimen on the back of the card and then tuck the whole thing into a journal pocket.
4. Frame your pressed flowers and leaves in CD wallet pockets

CD wallets make excellent journal pockets – and because there’s already a window in the front – they’re also the perfect place to save your pressed flowers and leaves.
With the help of some scrapbook paper or card, you can keep the CD wallet as a pocket (even though it has a leaf or flower in the window). You can then glue the whole thing down onto a page as an extra tuck spot or use it as an interactive flip out.
5. Turn junk mail envelopes into beautiful journal cards
For another idea, why not turn junk mail envelopes into beautiful journal cards? They’re super easy to make and you can decorate them however you like.
Here’s a video for the first ones I made where I used pretty papers, embellishments and some stencilling to make some simple – yet pretty – journal cards.

And here’s another video where I used some simple collaging to frame my flowers and leaves instead.

6. Make a paper bag book page pocket for your journals

More recently, I worked out how to use book pages and clear plastic packaging to make a gusseted journal pocket, which also doubles up as a frame for pressed flowers.
I then attached this to the front of a paper bag to create two pockets in one. Cool, eh?!

Once I have a video tutorial on how to make this type of pressed flower pocket, I’ll be sure to come back and update this blog post with a link to my video.
7. Scan or photograph your pressed flowers and leaves to make unique artwork
And finally, if you’d like to use your pressed flowers and leaves in your journals over and over again, then why not scan them into your computer or take photos of them to make some unique artwork or journal pages?
This tutorial from Luise Heinzl might give you some ideas.
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- Join My Free Facebook Group
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Did you like these seven ideas on how to keep pressed flowers in a journal? Why not pin or bookmark this blog post now, so you can refer back to it later?

Junk Journal Toolkit
📦 What do I need to get started?
If you’ve got paper, glue, scissors and something to bind your pages with (like a needle, thread and an awl or pokey tool), you’re good to go! Check out my essentials vs. nice-to-have supply list for more info.
🤯 I’m overwhelmed by tutorials and ideas. Where should I start?
Start with my free Mini Junk Journal Masterclass. It walks you through the process step-by-step. Even though it focuses on a mini journal, the same tips apply to any size journal.
❓ I don’t understand the terminology. Can you help?
Absolutely! My A–Z Junk Journal Glossary breaks down all those confusing terms and acronyms. Jargon be gone!
🪡 How do you keep your binding neat?
I use my bookbinding cradle to line up my holes and avoid punching too far through the pages. Smaller holes give a neater and more secure binding, and I use this thin upholstery thread for a cleaner finish.
🧵 Do I need a sewing machine?
Not necessarily! A basic sewing machine is helpful for making fabric-covered journals, but strong fabric glue can work just as well. If you stick to paper-based journals or folios, you don’t need one at all. I like the sewn look and making fabric-based journals, so I personally use a simple machine (similar to this) that’s lasted me over 10 years – it’s a trusty part of my toolkit.
🖼️ What digital papers do you use?
I use a mix of my own designs and other favourites. You can see examples here. New to digitals? Check out my mega bundle for a big saving on some of my designs or sign up for my Mahalo Clubhouse membership to get brand new digitals sent to you every month.
📜 What’s the best paper for printing digitals?
I use this 100 GSM Presentation Paper for vibrant and high-quality prints.
🖨️ What printer do you recommend?
I love my Epson Ecotank. It’s affordable, reliable and the ink lasts ages. I used to spend £30 a month on ink – now I refill just once or twice a year for under £30. While I haven’t used it myself, some other crafters recommend the HP Instant Ink program.
🖇️ What glues do you use?
My go-tos are Collall All Purpose, Cosmic Shimmer and Beacon 3-in-1. Here’s how I use each one.
📖 What books are best for junk journaling?
I love using second-hand nature and botanical books. Here are some great titles to look for next time you’re thrifting.
I don’t think flowers preserve well just taped or glued. In fact I brought a flower home from my trip of a lifetime. And it crumbled along with my heart.
That’s why I searched Scrapbook..com.
Cute ideas you have but not, in my opinion, good for long term.
Hi Sherry,
I’m very sorry that happened to you 🙁
It might depend on the flower. The one you see in my photo is still well preserved 4 years later inside my journal.
I kept it in a book as soon as I had it and transferred it to my journal after a couple of weeks. It has stayed there ever since.
Hi Justine,
I’m so interested in pressing flowers and I even bought a book about it, however, sadly I found that what works in the temperate climates don’t work in the tropics.
This sad reality has bogged me down on this. I found pressed flowers that came from even places like Australia, changed colour and turned into a very bad brown. Very sad.
I wish someone came up with a formula for this. To preserve the colour of pressed flowers in the tropics.
Btw, you mean much ado and not adieu, right.