Pressing hemp leaves is a slow craft — the kind your grandmother would’ve taught you at the kitchen table. It requires almost nothing: a heavy book, parchment paper, and patience. But the results feel like keeping a little piece of the ranch forever.
Start by choosing healthy leaves without tears or blemishes. Gently pat them dry to remove any moisture. Place each leaf between two sheets of parchment or unprinted paper, then tuck them inside a heavy book. The paper prevents staining and helps wick moisture away.
Close the book and add additional weight on top — more books, a small dumbbell, or anything with steady pressure. Leave the leaves to press for 7–14 days, checking occasionally for dryness. Over time, the leaves will flatten, deepen in color, and become delicate, preserved pieces of natural art.
Pressed hemp leaves can be framed, laminated, used in journals, added to shadow boxes, or included in scrapbooking layouts. Because pressing maintains structure and detail, the final result looks almost painted — a preserved memory of the plant in its purest form.
Pressing leaves is a meditative ritual that connects you to the slower rhythms of the farm. It’s a way to honor each harvest and turn something fleeting into something lasting.