Tips and Tricks Tuesday #17 - How to Dry, Press, and Preserve Leaves

Fall has finally arrived at the cottage!  And the trees are being set

ablaze with vibrant color.

This is my favorite season of the year—a special time when

 nature offers up its bounty for creative

decorating and crafting.

I love to take leisurely walks—around the yard and through the woods—

to gather a lavish supply of pretty leaves

 to be dried for future projects.

My search usually yields a variety of fabulous

colors, shapes, and sizes.

Its really amazing the variety of hues that

one single tree can provide!

And I make a point of gathering several groups of leaves

that remain joined together, 



...as well as those of various sizes, but of the same type.

Once I've accumulated an ample supply, I'm ready to let my fingers

do the walking through the preservation process.

My method of choice just happens to be the old tried-and-true 

approach of pressing leaves between book pages.

Do you have an old phone directory lying around? 

I've found they perform the trick beautifully.

I start by cutting several sheets of plain white

 tissue paper into squares...

and arranging the newly gathered leaves on half of each sheet.

It's actually easier to place the paper inside the book first,

 then position the leaves where you want them.

After folding the remaining half of the paper over—to cover the leaves—

I sandwich it all between a handful of the book's pages.

When I'm satisfied that I've filled it with as many leaves as it will accommodate,

I place a few very heavy books on top to press it all flat.

I then leave everything in a dry, moisture-free area—undisturbed—

for at least a week.

Once the leaves are completely dry, they can be used for any of a

number of decorating or craft projects.

One of my very favorite craft uses involves the book Look What I did With a Leaf!

by Morteza E. Sohi.  It is a wonderful resource that provides hours of

creative fun for the whole family.  And it's the perfect way to

show off all those gorgeous jewels of the forest

you've carefully preserved.   ; )

Joining Mary's Ruby Tuesday and Susan's Outdoor Wednesday.