My seasonal decorating is all out of order. I have been working on Christmas stuff since September and now I’m working on my fall decor for next year! HGTV.com has me writing several holiday decor tutorials for them and I need to work on the ones that require fresh pumpkins and the great outdoors before the season changes to winter. Our “leaf peak” has passed in Pennsylvania, so I needed to preserve some leaves for my photo shoots before they were dried and gone. Here’s how to preserve the colorful falls leaves for next year:
Collect freshly fallen leaves. They need to be supple, not dried out, yet. I love maple leaves and those are in abundance in our church parking lot, so I stole some time at youth group last night to collect some.
Place each individual leaf between the pages of a thick book. The moisture in the leaves will crinkle the pages, so don’t use a precious book.
A little Shakespeare will do nicely. He was a wordy fellow.
The leaf needs to be pressed, but it’s OK to leave the stems hanging out.
Stack weight on the book. You can use a stack of books, dumbbells, paint cans, whatever. Place it in a cool, dry place, away from heat. Allow the leaves to be pressed for at least a week. One time, I left mine in a book all year and pulled them out the following fall. The color was just as brilliant as the day they were collected.
You can use them to make wreaths and other fall crafts. They also look great framed or under glass on a table top. You can even use them for decoupage projects! I’m going to use them to make fall last a little longer while I’m working on my projects.
I don’t know about you, but I find that my nesting desires kick in high gear when the seasons are changing. I spent a lot of time cleaning today and I’ve been trying to sneak projects in for myself between all of the custom orders and things for the shop and the barn sales (two this month!) So, I thought I would share what my living room currently looks like…
I finished two curtain panels and still have two more remaining. I slipcovered my sofa a couple of months ago and refinished a pair of small, pedestal side tables for either side. I also pulled all of the crystals off my chandeliers, which sounds like a terrible thing to do, but they were speckled with mauve and were too busy in front of the patterned curtains. I’m going to dry brush them white, so they are simple, but stand out a little more. Also, the dark bronze color isn’t working with the antique gold rods.
The new pair of French chairs will get the same treatment as my favorite French settee, so they’ll look light and bright. I’m also looking for a new ottoman or coffee table for the center of this room. The scale and style of this one isn’t working.
Some progress is happening, although it’s slow. That’s life.
The True Value contest closes on Friday, so please hang in there with me for a few more days. Click here to vote now and I would love it if you could spread the word!
15 Responses
I love Fall leaves! I'll have to remember this if and when ours ever change… sometimes we get lucky and will see very little color in some trees! Oh how I wish we lived up north for the fall and holiday season! Good luck with everything! I have my first show this weekend and finally finished everything today! I can now finaly breathe!
Absolutely beautiful. I also voted for you. 🙂
Thank you for the leaf tip. I never knew that. You cracked me up with, "Shakespeare was a wordy fellow." Your living room looking beautiful. Love the French chairs as is but can't wait to see them covered. If you can find a quick second, I'd love your opinion about the bead board in tonight's post. Not sure whether to go wide plank or narrow in that space. Happy that you've taken some time for yourself and your home. You deserve it.
Hugs,
Jami
Your livingroom is so warm and inviting. I love the colorful drapes and the chandelier looks perfect in its place.
Thanks for the tips on drying leaves.
hugs
Sissie
wow, I can't believe you are on NEXT year already…I'm exhausted for you.
Great idea for preserving the fallen fall leaves. I will definitely try it. Your living room is absolutely lovely. Love the upright piano. I grew up with one in our living room just like it!
Thank you so much for the information on drying the Fall leaves! I wish you the very best of luck in your tutorials for HGTV! How wonderful for you.
Hugs XX
Barbara
When I was little I remember putting leaf stems in glycerin. This was supposed to preserve them so that they didn't dry out. Why don't you try that? I also remember that about twenty years ago everyone made dried hydrangea wreaths. I bought all the stuff to make one, but all the hydrangeas are gone now. When my son died he had a large orange maple leaf on his mantel. About ten days later, my husband gave me a present. He had the leaf mounted and framed in a shadow box. It was the best present he ever gave me, after my two kids. Ann
Your living room looks beautiful. Love your curtain panels. I wish I had some pretty leaves to press. I'm still waiting on my small Japanese maple to turn colors. It just barely started.
Your room is gorgeous. I too would leave the french chairs as is. They totally work in your room.
um hum…WHERE are the toys?
Gorgeous room!
Your curtains are lovely…..just made some myself….lots of work, huh?
smiles…
Oh the room is divine~love the curtains.
I am helping out a fellow blogger in need by hosting an online auction tomorrow. I would love for you to come by and take a peek and perhaps join in.
Marian,
I've loved those curtain panels since you first showed them in your dining room. They make the room look so pretty. I love the pumpkin on the plant stand near the sofa. You have such an eye.
Karen at Garden, Home and Party
I love the colours of those elaves- was thinking about this today as I was driving home, to get a few armful of leaves to save for later projects and make wreaths with them – thanks for the tip on how to preserve them.
Yes , I love it when it gets dark and cold ourside, makes it sooo much more cosy inside- time to start some craft projects, bake some cakes , read a nice book ….( oops I guess you don't have that much time for that when I read how busy you are – neither have I since I started blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!)…