craftgrrl | Flower Pressing & Unusual x-stitch Patterns

I'm using an Official Flower Press to preserve some lilyish flowers. I've tried pressing using wax paper and a big dictionary before, and it hasn't gone well. I bought a kit at Michael's for $10 last month and now I'm trying it out.

It's funky because there are two boards between which you put the flowers, paper, and cardboard; then there are bolts that run through holes in both boards and are fastened with brass nuts. The bolts are plain metal. The brochure says: "Put the brass fasteners through the wood pieces, then tighten with the brass nuts..." The bolts barely make it all the way through both boards with only 2 flower/paper/cardboard layers in-between, and the brochure says it should take 6 layers. I think they left out a significant part--the brass fasteners! Does that sound right? I'll probably write the company and ask for them. I've had good luck with cross-stitch companies sending out missing thread, so maybe these guys will be cool, too.

If the flowers come out good I'll post a piccy.

While I'm making my first post, does anyone have a program they like for converting a photo to a x-stitch pattern? Most of the x-stitch patterns in craft stores are Not My Style. I'd like to be able to take logos, drawings and pictures and turn 'em into patterns. Also, if anyone knows of a company that makes unusual x-stitch patterns--like, oh, say Death from Sandman (gee, I wonder what made me think of that?)--please give me a pointer.

Cheers, everyone! I'm getting fantastic ideas from this community.