504-301-3743
Flower Pressing

Flower Pressing

by | May 11, 2020 | Self-Care and Relaxation

A fun and easy way to be creative

Use pressed flowers to decorate vases, ceramic tiles, clear ornaments, candles or picture frames. Create a special handmade gift for a loved one or preserve special-occasion flowers.

Items You Will Need

  • Fresh flowers or leaves

  • Large book (a telephone book works well)

  • Weight (heavy object, such as a brick or book)

  • Parchment paper

  • Tweezers

  • Mod Podge

  • Soft paint brush

  • Item to decorate

Directions

  • Identify the flowers or leaves that you want to use for your project. Flowers with sentimental value, such as those from a wedding or other special occasion, are a great option. Flowers with natural flat “faces,” such as pansies, are easier to press than thicker flowers like roses. If selecting flowers from your garden, be sure to choose those that have recently bloomed as freshness is key for pressed flowers. It’s best to cut flowers after the morning dew has evaporated. You must dry them out quickly to prevent browning.
  • Place the flowers between sheets of parchment paper, then place in a large book. Keep in mind the pages of the book may wrinkle as moisture is absorbed from the flowers.
  • Use a heavy object to weigh down the book containing your flowers.
  • Allow the flowers to dry in the book for 10 days or more.
  • Gently remove the dried flowers from the parchment paper using tweezers. They will be very fragile so be careful!
  • Once you have your pressed flowers, dip a paintbrush into a little bit of Mod Podge, and lightly coat the flowers.
  • Arrange the flowers on your vase, ceramic tile, ornament, picture frame or candle, and let them dry for approximately five to 10 minutes.
  • Coat the flowers again with Mod Podge to make sure they’re sealed.
  • Allow to fully dry.
  • Enjoy your new creation!
Act Now – Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents and Who Do Not File Tax Returns

Act Now – Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents and Who Do Not File Tax Returns

by | Apr 21, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates

Action Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents and Who Do Not File Tax Returns to Receive $500 Per Child Payment.

Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes should immediately go to the IRS’ webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here and visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here section to provide their information.  

They need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly.  By doing so, they may receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to their $1,200 individual payment.  We strongly encourage completing this process promptly, in order to avoid having to wait to file a tax year 2020 tax return to obtain the additional $500 per eligible child.

SSI recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon.

Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with no qualifying children under age 17 will receive their Economic Impact Payments soon, and do not need to take any action. 

Those with Direct Express debit cards who enter information at the IRS’s website should complete all of the mandatory questions, but they may leave the bank account information section blank as Treasury already has their Direct Express information on file.

For more information, please read the new press release from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul.