More Good Things to Make with Autumn Leaves

Framed Botanical

I just love this one! It's one of the favorite projects that I told you I would be posting. I haven't even finished the one that I expect to be my favorite, but it is begun. I think maybe tomorrow, I have to cut a sheet of glass. In the meantime, back to the framed botanical, I am very happy with the distressed frame (from Target). I think it gives the completed project the perfect aged look. The "scientific label" is a tea stained and ironed index card, cut down and outlined with a sepia felt tip pen. I think the photo corners are entirely optional, don't you?

My Grandma just giggles at the things she's caught me ironing this week.


Gift Tag


Scientific/Botanical Tray

I saw this method on a Martha Stewart program. The leaf is ironed onto the white stock, which is...believe it or not, a cardboard milk carton. Wash the empty (naturally) carton out, and dry it. This would look great if you cut it with scalloped scissors like she did. You will place your pressed leaf or flower on the waxed card (the inside of the carton, where there is no printing), cover it with a cotton, silk or linen fabric, and iron it for 10 to 20 seconds with a hot, dry iron; then carefully peel the fabric away while the item is still very warm. The weave of the fabric may be slightly noticeable, so you may want to make note of that and line the weave up squarely. This is really optional. You will want to affix your newly mounted leaf onto another card. Double-stick adhesive tape works wonderfully. Then embellish as you like! This is the same process that I used for the bookmark in another post. You probably wouldn't want to leave it long term in a valuable tome because of pH issues, but it is sooo lovely for a reading copy!

Go out and make wonderful memories! The world is your oyster!

Lovely Things to Make with Autumn Leaves

Collage for framing


Greeting Card


Bookmark


Scrapbook page

I'm having trouble getting a good photo of that card...I'll keep trying, and two of my favorite projects still need tweaking. . . more later! Love!

How to Preserve Autumn Leaves

I searched the web for hours and found only one site that gave similar instructions. I knew this procedure existed so, as I am usually inclined, I dove in. My thought was that leaves are easily replaceable....if I ruin them, there are more! First I tried Liquid Amber leaves, from my neighbors yard, just in case. Even in California these trees have the most beautiful Fall colors, and it worked. First try! So here you go. These photos though, are wild grape leaves.



Collect fresh fallen leaves that are still soft and supple. I snipped off thick stems.


Place between two paper towels, on top of a pad of newspaper, on an ironing surface. You won't want the leaves to overlap.
Heat iron to it's highest setting, and turn the steam off. You want a hot and dry iron.


Press (on top of the paper towel) from about a minute to five minutes, checking occasionally to test for dryness. When you feel that they are almost right, flip them over, and iron the other side.


Next, pull of a sheet of regular kitchen waxed paper, twice the length that you need. Fold it in half and crease it down the center. Place it on top of a paper towel, place the leaves inside, fold the top half of the sheet over the leaves, add another paper towel, and press for 20 or 30 seconds. Turn the whole assemblage over, and press for 10 or 20 seconds, (we're just trying to get the wax onto the leaves, here). Pull the waxed paper apart while it's still warm, and remove the leaves. I repeated this step twice, because in my Internet search, several people mentioned that waxed paper isn't as heavily waxed as it used to be.

Voila! You have preserved Autumn Leaves for decorating!
I don't know how long they'll last, I only did it yesterday, but I know that this is a time honored practice. I have spoken to a few people (specifically, my 98 year old Grandmother) who remember that this was done. Grandma says, people used to do a lot of things like this. They didn't have any money, and beautification projects like this were free. The discussion included yo-yo quilts, and a paper decoration called a wasp's nest, which I am going to have her demonstrate for me again this week, and maybe I can show you. (crossed fingers, here) She says that her Mama always made wasp's nests out of wrapping paper, which, I think means, from the grocer, so think craft paper, tissue paper, or maybe butcher paper. . . maybe all three!
In a couple of days, I hope to show you the uses I found for my collection of incredible colored leaves, in spite of our climate!