Dan's Papers - September 21, 2007

It's time to put away summer accents and create crafts with your natural, colorful bounty: leaves! No doubt, the kids are missing their summer days. Have some fun by spending an afternoon or weekend by going on a leaf hunt. Plan to spend an hour or two outside collecting freshly fallen leaves of different colors and sizes, and then get ready to create!

Most crafts require leaves to be preserved. There are a few methods for doing this. Be sure to brush off any dirt from the leaves before you start! You can try pressing leaves in a heavy book, such as a dictionary or telephone book. Place leaves in a single layer and ensure layers are several pages away. Put a heavy item atop the book and walk away; it will take at least a week for the leaves to be ready. To make pressed leaves last, brush the back with acrylic matte medium and dry before using. Glycerin also works to preserve. Mix one part glycerin and two parts water in a flat pan. Submerge the leaves and add a weight to make sure they are covered in a single layer. Check the leaves after two days and each day after to see if they are ready (they'll be bendable).

Younger children can't wait for drying, so try creating leaf rubbings with them. Place leaves vein side up and top with a piece of white paper. Peel off crayon wrappers and use the crayon's side to gently rub the paper. The leaves will appear and delight your child! Don't forget to try multiple and non-traditional colors. Also, take two pieces of contact paper two feet long. Have your child stick leaves randomly to the sticky side of one. Affix the second piece, trim the edges, and your child has a great placemat.

There are two crafts perfect for you or older children. Make leaf masks, a perfect way to dress up a party and an ideal item to wear when bringing younger siblings trick or treating. Simply go to a craft store and purchase a basic white mask, preferably the kind that only covers the eyes (but a full-face version will do). You can glue preserved leaves to the mask in two different ways depending on the type and size of your leaves. If your leaf has a longer stem, draw the stem through the eyeholes and glue to the underside of the mask. Another method is to remove shorter or tough stems, and then use a paintbrush to add craft glue to the back of each leaf. You will use more leaves than you think to create these, so be sure to save the ones with the most vivid colors and shape for the top layer.

A second great craft is decorating a candle holder. Obtain glass holders in any shape or size, both circular and rectangular; anything will do so long as the candle's flame will be below the holder's mouth. Use thin double sided tape to attach leaves. Large leaves work well for this craft too; simply cut to the holder's height using a ruler and craft knife. For an accent, tie a layer of twine around the base.

Entertaining is a great way to highlight the season, so consider making your next party autumn-themed. Create a welcome wreath for your front door by buying a form. With florist wire, create leaf bunches and attach to the form. Continue layering until it is overflowing with beautiful leaves. For the next two ideas, you need not use preserved leaves if it is for a single day's use. First, you will need to find a piece of glass in the same size and shape as your dining table. Place the prettiest leaves in a layer on the table; you can place leaves sporadically or have many that overlap. Affix the glass to the tabletop and voila! Your settings and meals with have a lovely backdrop with colors of the season. Use a permanent or paint marker to write guests' names on large, sturdy leaves; this makes an excellent place card to ensure your seating plans! And of course, don't forget to take the candleholders from above and create a simple line down the center or your table or place throughout the household for that added ambiance.

Autumn is the perfect season for crafting. With the leaves changing color and the wind a bit chilled, inspiration will find us both indoors and out. Take a break and try some of these craft ideas today!