fall craft: dried leaf garland

Riggs and I always go for a walk first thing in the morning. Never do I enjoy it more than in the fall, when it's still quite cold and frosty outside and the grass crunches under our feet. I love to look around and see all the different changes, each day there is more variety in colors with much less green and much more yellow and red.

I search for 'perfect' fall leaves, basically any that stand out and stir something wonderful inside me. It's been very special to share my leaf hunt with Riggs, who is very interested in looking around outside and touching everything that seems interesting. I make sure not to show him my most favorite leaves, however, since he's not too gentle when he picks them and they often end up torn in half and then thrown to the ground with a spirited 'Uh-oh', when he sees they've been ripped. 

Last week I gathered a few of my most favorite leaves during a morning walk, and I brought them in to dry and press. I love to decorate the house with subtle little signs of the season, especially during fall and winter, and I thought a dried leaf garland would look especially in the kitchen window. 

Supplies:

lovely colorful leaves with the stems still in tact (as many as you think you'll need)

a few sheets of paper towel

thick, heavy books

yarn or twine

patience while they're being pressed

1. go on a walk and gather leaves that speak to you in some way or another

2. bring them in and gently pat them dry

3. carefully tear or cut the paper towel sheets to match the size of your leaves

4. sandwhich them gently between two pieces of paper towel

5. place in the pages of a very thick book

6. set somewhere where they won't be disturbed (or put in the oven)

7. after a few days, gently check to see that they've completely dried and pressed. If they're ready, carefully tie the twine or yarn around their stems in even increments. 

8. hang somewhere in your home and enjoy :)