Drying flowers?

I was watching Martha the other day when an audience member asked her how to dry hydrangeas without them shriveling up. Martha said to put them in a vase with about 1 inch of water and just let them dry standing upright (I have tried hanging them upside and they shrivel every single time). Well, when I got mine home I did that...they have been sitting in an inch of water for a few hours and they are already starting to shrivel! Is there another method without using silica gel or is that the only way?
Drying flowers?
I have dried hydrangeas several times. They last about 2 years. I pick them early in the morning after the dew has dried up but before 10 am. I tie them in a bunch with yarn or ribbon. I then put a piece of ribbon through that ribbon to make a loop to hang them up. I then tie hang this in the center of my celing fan so that the flowers themselfs do not move. Leave the fan on overnight and in the am they will be all dried. I then spray them with hairspray. They do not keep their color very well so I have even sprayed them with floral paint before using hairspray. You get get the paint where they sell floral supplies. You can then cut them off the stems and make wreaths or leave them in a bunch and place them in a vase with glass marbles in the bottom. Have fun and good luck!
Reply:Silica gel or sand. Sorry...
Reply:Kitty litter.
Reply:Bury them in clean kitty litter. It really works to draw out the moisture and keep its color. It will smell good too! Takes a day or two to complete the drying process.

rimmel