Make Autumn Crafts With Leaves

In most parts of the country, fall brings a riot of color as leaves turn shades of red and gold—and they come and go all too quickly. This article will look at three cool ways to hang on to their beauty all year. Then we’ll learn more about why leaves change color in autumn. 

3 Crafts That Preserve Fall Leaves (Bring Fall Beauty Indoors)

1. DIY Autumn Leaf Candle Holder

2. Fall Leaf Sun Catcher

3. Fall Leaf Mobile

How to Make a DIY Autumn Leaf Candle Holder

Find a corner to display these pretty autumn candle holders all year long. But first, let them be the star of your Thanksgiving table. They are really easy to make, and the effect is quite stunning. Decoupage is used to apply autumn leaves onto glass containers. You can use Mason jars or purchase other inexpensive glass containers.

Materials Needed

• Glass container
• Pretty autumn leaves, press-dried
• Mod Podge
• Sponge applicator
• Elmer’s clear-drying glue
• Iridescent glitter
• Small paintbrush

Step-by-Step Instructions

These look pretty as they are, but I decided to give mine a frosty look with “Pixie Dust” or iridescent glitter.

1. Be sure to dry the leaves first. Press them between heavy books or newspapers weighted down for at least a week (or more, depending on how moist the leaves still are when you’re collecting them).
2. Clean and dry the glass container.
3. Use Mod Podge to apply the dried leaves onto the glass container.
4. Allow them to dry.
5. Make a wash of one part water to one part Elmer’s glue.
6. Working in sections, paint the glue wash over the container and sprinkle with the glitter.
7. Add a candle and light it to watch the frosty leaves sparkle.

 

How to Make Fall Leaf Sun Catchers

Fall leaf sun catchers are real and will last and last—thanks to the clear contact paper. When I was growing up, we preserved leaves by using waxed paper and a warm iron. Now that there is clear contact paper, there should be no more sticky irons.

I gave my sun catcher to my mom, who lives down at the beach now. She forgave me for all those past sticky irons.

Materials Needed

• Preserved leaves
• Contact paper
• Mini suction cups
• Hole punch
• Scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions

The best way to preserve fall leaves is to press them between two sheets of clear Contact paper. Use short pieces for easier management.

1. Place two or three leaves on a sheet of contact paper, sticky side up.
2. Using your fingers, press the leaves firmly into the plastic.
3. Cover with another sheet of contact paper (sticky side down) and press again firmly.
4. After preserving the leaves, cut around them with scissors.
5. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in the top of each leaf.

Now you can hang the leaf sun catchers and enjoy them on a window or perhaps on the fridge.

 

How to Make a Fall Leaf Mobile

There are dozens of ways to make mobiles. Preserve leaves and use them in any one of the ways. We used the following method for a fall leaf mobile.

Materials Needed

• Leaves preserved with clear, plastic contact paper
• Wooden dowels of graduating thicknesses
• Fishing line
• Scissors
• White, clear-drying glue
• Hole punch
• Yarn or twine

Step 1: Attach Fishing Line and Leaves to Dowels

Tie a length of fishing line of about 18 inches on each end of the thickest wooden dowel. Secure with a drop of clear-drying glue. Add the medium-thickness wooden dowel to the end of the 18-inch length of fishing line.

Attach two preserved leaves at each end of the top wooden dowel with about six inches of fishing line.

 

 

Step 2: Add More Fishing Line and Leaves

Add a longer length of fishing line to the middle of the top dowel, about 12 inches. Add a preserved leaf on the end.

Step 3: Attach the Last Tier

Attach the third and thinnest dowel a few inches below with fishing line on each side. Now attach the last tier of leaves, and your fall leaf mobile is complete!

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Leaf coloration in the fall depends on leaf pigment and weather. Longer and cooler nights in the fall spark chemical processes that paint the leaves on deciduous trees brilliant colors in many parts of the world. The three types of pigments that affect color are chlorophyll (green), anthocyanins (red), and carotenoids (yellow).

Chlorophyll and carotenoids exist in the leaf throughout the growing season. Anthocyanins are present in the fall due to bright light and increased plant cell sugars in the leaf cells. As the length of darkness increases in the fall, the leaf stops making chlorophyll, and the other pigments take over.

Leaf color also depends on tree species. Oak leaves turn red or russet. Poplar, hickory, and aspen will be golden or yellowish. Sourwood trees and certain maples will be flaming crimson. Dogwoods are a pretty purplish-red.

Weather affects the fall show of colors. The most spectacular shows follow successions of warm, sunny days and nights that are cold but not freezing