If the fall season is your favorite time of the year, you’re not alone. One of the standout aspects of autumn is the incredibly beautiful fall foliage. Trees explode in a burst of bright, vibrant colors, painting the landscape in shades of orange, yellow, and red. And, it’s not uncommon for many to want to bring that splendor into their homes.
During fall, decorating with natural elements turns out to be a fantastic idea. There are numerous fall decor ideas you can tap into using leaves. You can create fall leaf crafts, turn leaves into a fall garland for your mantel, or use them in an autumn wreath for your porch. You can even mix a few colorful branches with autumn flowers to craft a seasonal centerpiece.
However, leaves don’t maintain their color forever. They eventually wither and fade to brown. But you’re in luck! Similar to drying flowers, you can also preserve fall leaves. You can keep their original yellow, orange, and red colors intact long after the trees have shed.
To preserve fall leaves, there are numerous simple methods you can use, including pressing, microwaving, decoupage, and more. Whatever method you choose, ensure you collect bright and beautiful freshly fallen leaves that are free of spots or tears.
You can press leaves under books. After gathering your favorite leaves, you can press them in a book. To do this, place the foliage between two sheets of paper and place them under a stack of books or between the pages of a heavy book. Leave them to press for about a week or until they’re completely dry.
Alternatively, you can sandwich leaves in wax paper and iron them on high. Press the iron down for a few seconds then flip over your “leaf sandwich” to do the same on the other side. Repeat until all the wax paper has successfully transferred onto the leaves.
If you have laminating sheets and a laminator, why not put them to good use? Place the leaves between two laminatiom sheets, and run them through your laminator.
For speedy drying, your microwave can help. Place the leaves sandwiched between two paper towels and microwave them for 30 seconds. Ensure you check them frequently and continue microwaving in five-second bursts. Once they are dry, coat them with an acrylic spray to preserve their color and texture.
Decoupage is another effective way to preserve leaves using crafting glue — Mod Podge. Paint a layer on one side of the leaf and let it dry. Then, paint the other side and let it dry as well.
One surprising method is to soak leaves in a glycerin and water solution. Submerge the leaves completely in the solution and let them soak for three to six days. Next, let the leaves dry completely. They’ll become soft and supple.
A final method is to dip leaves in melted wax. Painstakingly hold each leaf by its stem and dip it into melted beeswax or paraffin wax. Let it drip off the excess before putting them aside to dry out.
By using any of these methods, you can successfully preserve your fall leaves and enjoy their vibrant colors all autumn long and even beyond. You can learn to treasure the splendor of fall leaves, making your fall decorations pop with authentic colors of nature. Fall leaves preservation is not only a fun experience in itself but also a lovely way to keep a piece of autumn with you throughout the year.
