Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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 :)

15 comments:

  1. Definitely going to do this. Your pictures are so pretty!

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  2. We used to do that when you were small. We only collected tho, never thought of hanging. Great and pretty idea!

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    1. I remember drying them, and I loved it so much! So fun:)

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  3. So you're the craftiest person ever! Great DIY!

    .:Marta:.

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    1. Ha so not the craftiest person ever, but thank you! I try to muster up some craftiness every now and then ;)

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  4. Great idea! I love simple decor like this. Your assortment of leaves is beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration :)

    ♡ Natalie of LIVE TEACH ALASKA

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    1. thanks Natalie! I love simple decor too, and it just cheers me up every time I look over and see it. xx

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  5. Stop. Just stop. Please tell me you are a fan of the Inheritance series? I love Eragon! I kind of became obsessed with dragons for a good year or so after reading them. Have you listened to them on audio book? (If no-don't...the reader's voice is strange and ruined Eragon's voice for me forever).

    Um, also...great post about the leaves...just kind of hung up on the dragon-thing... :-) I love that photo of Riggs with the sun beaming through and the morning walk tradition.

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    1. Hahah so funny, I was wondering if anyone would notice the book choices! I definitely love the Eragon series, I love reading so much and anything with dragons is always a plus! If you love dragons, you should check out the dragonriders of pern books by Anne McCafferey. And thanks for the heads up on the audiobook, I despise horrible read versions of my favorite books!

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  6. That picture of Riggs walking with the sun beaming through the trees is my favorite!

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    1. thanks Andrea. it's one of my favorites of him, I think.

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