TURNING LEAVES

During autumn our enjoyment of autumn fall colors is all too brief, but there are easy ways fall color may continue to be enjoyed well beyond the season. Pressing Leaves-The old fashioned way of drying leaves involves no chemicals or other hazards. Simply collect fresh colorful fall leaves that are not too damp and press or “sandwich” them between layers of paper towels and insert them between old newspapers, cardboard or pages of large old books, weighted down by heavier objects. Store in a dark, dry area until the leaves are dry usually from a few days to a couple of weeks. Check them from time to time for mold. Additional ways to preserve fall leaves include pressing them with a hot iron between sheets of waxed paper, drying them in the microwave between sheets of paper towels, or to submerge the leaves in a solution of glycerin and water. Once the leaves are dry they may be used in a variety of crafty ways. Here are a few: Leaf Wreath-materials include pressed leaves, a white plain paper plate and glue. Cut out the center of the paper plate and glue the pressed leaves around the rim edge. Leaf Mobile or Leaf Sun Catcher-materials include pressed leaves, small branches with twigs, a long string and tape or glue. Attach the leaf stems to the string with glue or tape and hang onto the twigs. Place onto a ceiling hook. Leaf String-materials include pressed leaves, string, and tape. Hang horizontally or vertically or make into a garland. Leaf Placemat-take a variety of dried leaves and place between sizeable sheets of contact paper. Leaf Book Mark-similar materials needed as making a placemat, but the results are much smaller. Leaf Greeting Cards-make your own fall greeting cards with pressed leaves, construction paper and glue. Leaf Prints-place thin white paper on top of fresh leaves and color with a crayon. The leaf shape will appear. Leaf Collection or Collage-mount pressed leaves onto a large sheet of cardboard, identify the leaves by their common and scientific names and frame. Leaf collections were formerly required as a teaching aid for high school biology students.