Artful leaves

Instead of raking up all your fall leaves, turn some of them into easy art to spruce up bare walls or give a seasonal feel to a room. For variety, put dried leaves on a mat board or float a leaf between two pieces of glass.

ALICE WELSH DOYLE AND MARY LEIGH FITTS

Framed Dried Leaves

For the project shown above, pick several of each kind of leaf because not all will flatten as pretty. Place leaves between wax paper, and slip inside a book. Weigh down the book, and let sit for several weeks.

Step 1: Buy ready-made frames, and have a mat cut to fit the frame in a color that suits your decor (neutral colors show off the leaves better).

Step 2: Place your leaves on the mat board, and arrange. Varying the size, color, and type will make for a more interesting look.

Step 3: Attach the leaves to the board with double-sided tape.

Step 4: Using a pencil, write out the botanical name of the leaves beside each variety, and add the common name, if desired. For example: Acer Saccharum, sugar maple.

Step 5: Place the mat inside the frame on top of glass. Place backing on the frame, and secure.

Floating Fresh Leaves

For the project shown at left, use fresh leaves. You'll need to preserve them first: Place leaves between two sheets of paper towels, and then place the paper towels between pieces of cardboard. Another option is to put the leaves between two thin layers of cat litter. Both the paper towels and cat litter help absorb moisture. Keep in mind green plants will eventually change color, either fading or turning brownish.

Step 1 : Put frame together with brackets, but don't tighten screws all the way.

Step 2: Thoroughly clean two pieces of glass. Center a preserved leaf between the glass pieces.

Step 3: Holding the glass at the edges, slip it down into the frame.

Step 4: Tighten the screws with a screwdriver, and place S-shaped clips up underneath the frame to keep the glass in place.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2003
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