You can enjoy the beauty of the autumn months even when the season is over, keeping the colorful leaves. With the help of wax or other products, you will keep its color and shape for several weeks, if not longer. Preserved in this way, the leaves are an inexpensive, but truly enchanting kind of decoration that you can enjoy for a long time even once the trees are completely bare.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Press the leaves with oil paper
Step 1. Choose some fresh leaves
Start with leaves that are still fresh, colorful and just fallen off. By pressing them with greaseproof paper, you can preserve the vividness of their color.
Step 2. Dry the leaves
Place the leaves between two paper towels to dry them if they are damp. Make sure you don't overlap them, otherwise they will stick together. Use an iron on medium-high heat and run it on both sides for 3-5 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- By drying the leaves first, you will ensure that they retain color and quality once they are sealed in greaseproof paper.
- Do not use the steam from the iron, otherwise it will keep the leaves moist. Use it without water.
- Touch the leaves after ironing for 3-5 minutes. If a leaf doesn't look dry enough, swipe it on both sides for a few more minutes.
Step 3. Place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper
It makes no difference which side of the paper will contact the leaves, as both are oiled. Once dry, place them between two sheets of wax paper without overlapping them. Leave some space around each leaf. The paper layers must have the ability to stick together.
Step 4. Insert the greaseproof paper between two pieces of printer paper
You can also use brown paper for bags or another kind of thick paper. Make sure all of the wax paper is covered with plain paper so the iron doesn't stick to the paraffin layer. Make sure the leaves are spaced apart and arranged on a single layer.
Step 5. Seal the greaseproof paper with an iron
Using the medium-high heat iron, pass it on both sides of the paper to seal it. Move the iron continuously so that the paraffin layer does not burn. Heat the first side for 3 minutes, then carefully flip the plain paper, greaseproof paper and leaves over. Repeat on the other side.
- Do not use the steam from the iron; use it without water.
- Handle the heated paper with care. If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable to wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 6. Let the paraffin cool
The paraffin will melt slightly around the leaves and will stick to it when it cools down. Wait until it is cold before touching it.
Step 7. Cut the paper around the leaves
Once everything has cooled, remove the sheets of plain paper from the wax paper. Carefully cut out each leaf with scissors or a sharp utility knife.
- Leave a small flap of wax paper around the edge of each leaf so that it stays sealed tightly between the layers of the paper.
- You could also try removing the wax paper from the leaves instead of cutting it out. A layer of wax should remain, which may be enough to preserve the leaves.
Method 2 of 6: Cover the Leaves with Paraffin
Step 1. Choose some fresh leaves
Start with leaves that are still fresh, colorful and just fallen off. By covering them with paraffin, you can preserve their vivid colors. Dry them using paper towels before starting.
Step 2. Melt some paraffin in a pan that you will no longer use
You can purchase a 500g pack of paraffin from a stationery or hardware store. Melt it in a pan that you plan to throw away, heating it on the stove over low heat.
- To melt the paraffin faster, cut it into thick slices and spread them evenly across the bottom of the pan.
- If you don't have a pan to throw away, use a cake pan that you no longer intend to use. Paraffin can ruin the pan, so you shouldn't do this in a pan you often use for cooking.
Step 3. Remove the melted paraffin from the stove
Be careful because the melted paraffin is very hot. Carefully transfer it from the stove to the counter. Pay close attention to make sure you don't spill it, especially if you have pets or small children.
Step 4. Dip each leaf into melted paraffin
Hold it by the end of the stem and dip it several times in the liquefied paraffin. Make sure both parts of the leaf are covered with paraffin, avoiding getting your fingers too close to this substance. Repeat with the other leaves.
Step 5. Let the leaves dry
Place all the paraffin-coated leaves on the wax paper until hard. Let them dry for several hours in an area away from drafts. Once dry, you should be able to remove the wax paper easily. This method allows you to preserve the shape and color of the leaves for a long time.
For added safety, line your work surface with newsprint before spreading a layer of wax paper. This double coverage will minimize the risk of paraffin dripping onto the underside of the shelf. If it comes into contact with the table, it can be very difficult to get rid of the paraffin drops
Method 3 of 6: Dip the Leaves in Glycerin
Step 1. Choose some fresh leaves or a small branch of leaves
If you want to keep a whole branch of fall leaves, this storage method is easier to use than paraffin. Therefore, choose a branch that has vibrantly colored leaves that are firmly in place.
- This process makes the colors more vivid. The yellow becomes more intense, while the red and orange become a brighter reddish.
- Look for twigs that have fallen from the tree spontaneously instead of plucking them with your own hands. You risk damaging the plant by detaching a branch.
- Do not choose branches that have diseased leaves or that have experienced frost. This method does not work with leaves attacked by a frost.
Step 2. Open the end of each branch
Hit the end of each branch with a hammer to open it and expose the living part of the wood. By doing this, you will allow the living wood to escape so that it can properly absorb the glycerin solution. Otherwise, the latter will not be able to penetrate the branch reaching the leaves.
If you intend to keep only single leaves, you can skip this step
Step 3. Prepare the glycerin solution
You can find vegetable glycerin at a DIY store. To prepare the solution, add 530ml of liquid vegetable glycerin to 2 liters of water in a bucket or large container.
- Being a natural product obtained from plants, glycerin is an excellent choice for preserving the leaves while respecting the environment.
- If you want to keep a large, consistent branch, mix in 4 or 5 drops of mild liquid dish soap. It will act as a surfactant, breaking down the glycerin molecules so that they can penetrate the wood more easily. For best results, use a mild detergent with no added dyes or fragrances. You could also use a liquid surfactant, which is available at gardening stores.
Step 4. Soak the branch in the solution for 3-5 days
Let the branches and leaves absorb the glycerin for at least 3-5 days. Place the bucket in a shady spot during the soaking phase.
If you intend to store only single leaves, you will need to weight them so that they stay submerged. Pour the solution into a shallow pan, place the leaves inside and cover them with a plate or lid so they don't float to the surface
Step 5. Remove the branch and leaves from the solution
The color will appear more vivid and the leaves should be softer to the touch. You can use all the branch thus treated in one of your artistic works or detach a few leaves and use it separately.
Method 4 of 6: Using the Decoupage Method
Step 1. Choose bright colored leaves
Collect freshly fallen leaves as long as they have deep colors and are flexible enough. They can be slightly dry, but not so much that they crack or curl at the tips. Avoid those rotten or punctured ones.
Step 2. Coat both sides of each leaf with decoupage glue
It is a white, sticky substance that lightens when dried. You can find it at a home improvement store. Use a sponge brush to carefully apply a generous layer of decoupage glue to one side of each leaf. Arrange them on a sheet of newspaper to dry.
- In most cases, it is best to apply glue to the leaves on the day they are harvested. If you wait too long, they will dry out, turn brown, and may crack.
- However, if they are very wet or if you picked them straight from the tree without waiting for them to fall, you can dry them slightly by squeezing them between the pages of a heavy book for a few days.
Step 3. Let the decoupage glue dry completely
It will lighten and no longer be sticky.
Step 4. Repeat on the other side of the leaf
Turn it over and apply glue to the other side. When it dries, the leaves are ready to use. This method allows you to preserve its color and shape over a long period of time.
Method 5 of 6: Microwave the Leaves
Step 1. Insert the fresh leaves between some paper towels
This is a great way to dry leaves intended for art work, even if the colors can fade. Place the fresh leaves on top of two paper towels. Cover them with another layer of napkins.
- Use freshly fallen leaves that still have vivid colors and are flexible. Avoid those that are curled at the tips, rotten or with holes.
- For best results, leave some space between leaves to prevent them from sticking together as they dry.
Step 2. Microwave the leaves to dry them
Put them in the microwave and heat them for 30 seconds. Afterward, continue to turn the oven on at 5 second intervals.
- Generally, autumn leaves should be kept in the microwave for 30-180 seconds to make them dry enough.
- Be very careful when using the microwave to dry the leaves. If you heat them for too long, they can literally catch fire.
- If they look burnt, they've been in the oven too long. On the other hand, if they curl at the tips once out of the microwave, it means they haven't been there long enough.
Step 3. Let them sit overnight
Place the leaves in a shaded area away from drafts. Leave them there for at least one night or two days at the most. If you notice any color variations, seal them immediately.
Step 4. Seal the leaves with an acrylic spray
Spray both sides of each leaf with clear acrylic spray to keep residual color intact. Let them dry before using them as decoration or for an art work.
Method 6 of 6: Dry the Leaves Using a Book
Step 1. Place the leaves between two sheets of paper
This storage method allows them to dry, but does not keep their color intact. Insert the fall leaves between two clean sheets of thick white paper.
- Use paper that is at least as heavy as printer paper instead of choosing something thin like tracing paper. Otherwise, the leaves could moisten the paper and get stained.
- Arrange the leaves in a single layer. Do not stack or overlap them, otherwise they will stick together.
- Choose leaves that are in good condition, preferably recently fallen and still fresh. The tips should not be dry or curled.
Step 2. Place a heavy book on top of the paper
A large, heavy book should be fine. To reduce the risk of staining the book or any other object used to press them, as well as the work surface, lay some paper towels or paper towels between the printer paper and the book. This way they will absorb the moisture from the leaves.
Step 3. Alternative method of pressing with the book:
hold the leaves directly inside the book. Pick an old book that you don't mind staining in case the leaves ruin the pages. Just insert them between the pages of the book. Leave at least 20 pages between the leaves for better results.
- If you have a telephone directory on hand, it will be perfect.
- Place a weight on top of the book. The pressure will allow moisture to escape from the leaves and flatten them at the same time. Therefore, you can use other books, bricks or any object of a certain weight.
Step 4. Check for developments after one week
The leaves should be dry. If they are still soft, keep them pressed for a few more days.
