By Alisa Bangerter – Studio 5 Party and Idea Correspondent
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• Fresh leaves can be dried in a botanical press or by placing between newspaper or the pages of a phone book. Set a heavier book on top of the one containing the leaves and in several days the leaves will be dry. Another quick option is to place leaves between sheets of newspaper or wax paper and place a cotton cloth on top and gently iron with a dry iron. (Note: Moisture from the leaves can stain pages of a book.)
• Fresh leaves can be preserved and made flexible. Place the stems of leaves upright in a jar in a solution of one part glycerin to two parts water. Absorption will take several weeks. Make sure to cut off the ends of the stems so they will absorb the solution. Periodically wipe the leaves with the solution if they are drying out before absorption is complete.
• Watch for clearance sales on artificial leaves. You can easily remove individual leaves from a bunch by careful peeling off the plastic stems and veins if desired.
• Leaves can be embellished in many ways. Dip leaves in wax to create a soft look. Spray leaves with spray glitter. Leaves can be decorated with tiny jewels or beads. Highlight leaves with paint or inks. Be creative.
• Use leaves as an embellishment on a set of note cards. A set of these would make a nice gift.
• Write on a leaf using a metallic paint marker and use it as a place marker for dinner. Attach the leaf to a ribbon and tie around a napkin or to the back of a chair.
• Decoupage (use a product such as Mod Podge) leaves to the underside of a clear plate. Use as part of a centerpiece or as a plate for giving or serving treats.
• Attach a small leaf to the top of a new unwrapped bar of soap using a small bit of wax. Dip the top of the soap (approximately 1/8″) in melted wax. The wax will keep the top of the soap from melting when used.
• Wrap leaves around a candle and tie with a ribbon or twine.
• Place leaves under a glass table top.
• Sprinkle leaves down the center of a table and add candles, fresh fruit, gourds, pumpkins, nuts, etc. to create a nice centerpiece.
• Place a bed of leaves under a dinner plate or on a charger plate under the main dinner plate or bowl.
• Create place mats by adhering leaves to cardstock or scrapbook paper and covering with laminate or contact paper.
• Use leaves (artificial are best for this) for packing a gift for mailing.
• Make garlands by hanging pretty ribbons across a room, mantle, chandelier, etc. Attach a variety of leaves periodically on the ribbon using tiny clothespins that have been sprayed with gold or copper spray paint. Leaves also look pretty hanging vertically on the end of a ribbon. Place ribbons at different levels for a lovely effect. Use a variety of elegant ribbons.
• Make a book mark by adhering tiny leaves to a strip of cardstock and laminating. Another bookmark option would be to attach several artificial leaves to the end of a wide satin ribbon and attaching a tassel or acorn at the other end of the ribbon.
• Adhere leaves to the front of an embellished notebook or scrapbook cover.
• Fill tall glass jars with leaves. Have one jar with red, one with orange and one with yellow. Artificial leaves may work best for this.
• Decoupage leaves onto a glass vase or jar. Decoupage tissue paper over the leaves for a cool effect. Place a candle or branch of leaves in the jar.
• Place a leaf between two pieces of glass. Frame the glass to create a lovely fall home décor item. Leaves could also be decoupaged onto a frame itself.
• Place leaves on a plain tablecloth, t-shirt, dishtowel, pillowcase edge, table runner, etc. Use fabric paint and a stencil brush to paint around each leaf (or spatter paint using an old toothbrush). Remove leaves and the negative images will be left.
• Brush the backside of a leaf (vein side) with a light coat of acrylic paint or ink. Press onto paper or fabric to create a cool imprint. (Cover with a piece of paper and use a rolling pin or brayer to smoothly press design into item.)
• Make a mobile or sun catcher using leaves.
• Create coasters by adhering leaves to a square of cardstock (or chipboard) and laminating them. A set would make a nice gift.
<>• Place a transparency on a scanner bed (to protect it) and cover with leaves. Scan and use to create custom paper or a puzzle.
• Adhere leaves to a plain lampshade – inside or out (use artificial leaves if shade will get hot to prevent fire).
• Use leaves to embellish a gift bag. Use a leaf for the gift tag.
• Use leaves as stencils to create a variety of crafts including luminaries.
• Use leaves to create magnets for a refrigerator or locker.
• Make a wreath. Glue leaves to a cardboard ring or grapevine wreath.
• Create a mask using leaves.
• Punch shapes from leaves (real leaves work best for this). Use punched shapes as scrapbook embellishments or when making cards, stationery, or other crafts.
• Create jewelry using leaves. Thread tiny artificial leaves into stretchy cord and add beads for a pretty bracelet. Another option would be to solder a tiny leaf between glass to create a charm for a necklace or bracelet.
• Fresh leaves can be pounded onto a light cloth (t-shirt, tablecloths, book bags, dish towels, etc.) or paper transferring the pigment to the item. Simply place item to be decorated on newspaper or another paper to protect surface. Place on hard surface and place leaf on item (do one leaf at a time). Cover leaf with a piece of paper. Pound entire leaf with a hammer or rubber mallet. If any pieces of leaf remain to item, let them dry and they will come off easily. Cover with a piece of wax paper to set design. Item can be gently washed. This works with flowers and other fresh foliage.
• Create pretty leaf balls by gluing leaves onto a Styrofoam ball covering it. Wrap with tiny ribbon or cording.
• Create roses from maple leaves. Here is the link to step-by-step instructions: http://haha.nu/creative/how-to-make-roses-from-maple-leaves/
• Note: There are numerous fun crafts and ideas for young children using leaves. Simply do an online search and you will find many sites that offer great and simple craft ideas – many with no cost.
Projects using fall leaves are endless. Be creative!
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