It’s leaf peeping time!
Right now the trees are just beginning to turn color. It’s my favorite time of (F)all. The mostly green leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the riot of yellows, oranges, and reds. I’m sure you’ll agree…it’s extraordinary!!
Just a few days ago, I spied these leaves when out for a walk and shared about it here. But there’s more to the story. Several of you have commented that some of those leaves looked almost unreal. They certainly were striking. And I’m certain that I’ve never seen any quite like them. So, when I finished my photo session with the maple tree, I proceeded to pick up the lovely leaves that she had already dropped. I wasn’t sure what I would do with them, but I gathered a handful and started to dream.
I have a vintage frame that I acquired at a yard sale earlier this summer. It’s been hanging on the wall, empty. Which is okay. But, I wanted to fill it with some of Autumn’s glory. Could I fill it with some freshly fallen leaves?
I searched online for how to preserve leaves. Most everything takes either lots of time, as in 6 weeks, or require supplies I don’t have on hand. So, I decided that I would adapt a preservation technique that I used when I was in second grade. The wax paper and iron method. Except that I didn’t want my pretty leaves to be covered up with wax paper. I used the same technique of ironing the leaves. But, instead of leaving the paper intact over the leaves, I pulled it off while it was still warm. The wax paper wasn’t very waxy, so in hindsight I think I should have repeated the process a time or two to get more wax on the leaves. But, it was successful enough that the leaves only curled slightly after a few days and still look freshly picked. I guess I’ll see what happens over the next few weeks.
My glue gun hasn’t seen much activity as of late, so I decided to make up for my neglect by gluing some strands of sage grosgrain ribbon randomly across the inside of the frame. My next step was to hot glue the leaf stems to the ribbon. (Be sure to play with your leaf arrangement before permanently affixing them to the ribbons.) After it cooled, enough so that I didn’t need to worry about the leaves falling off the ribbon, I brought it upstairs and hung it on the wall in my great room…next to a pair of Longaberger Maple Leaf Plates. Now I have a gathering of maple leaves on my wall.
I’m sorry the photos aren’t the best. Isn’t it hard to believe that it’s already dark at 7:15 in the evening! So…with no tripod and just lamplight, I did my best.
What do you think? I like it. I think. It is sooo different than anything I have ever done. And putting it up on the blog, well….it makes me feel vulnerable.
Why are we (me) like that? Why do we worry that we won’t measure up? What’s with this second guessing?
The one thing I know for sure. I wanted to preserve some pretty leaves and put them somewhere I’d be able to enjoy them. And that my friend, I have done.
Maple leaves. Framed. It’s Extraordinary. I think.
Do you stop and pick up pretty fall leaves when you’re outside?
How do you preserve fall leaves?
What’s your favorite way to display or enjoy your leaf collection inside?
May your day be Extraordinary!!
Diane
Sharing at: The Lettered Cottage
Coming up October 1st….
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Thanks so much for reading!
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great idea–and beautiful–your leaves in the frame–you are too hard on yourself—could not be prettier–tripod or not in my opinion! if I only had wall space–not an inch on any wall as I love all my ole stuff that is up!
Glenda, you are so sweet! Thank you!!! I understand wall space. This house has sooo many large windows…a real blessing…yet it does make wall decor a challenge…though a different challenge than you face. 😀
May your day be filled with joy!
That seems easy to do. Thanks for sharing.
Stopping by from SITS by the way lol.
Hi Stacie! It’s easy peasy! The best kind of project for me!! Hope you’ll give it a try. Love SITS!! Thanks for coming by!
That is so pretty and creative. You’ve inspired me to get “falling” around my house. We are still green here in California.
Thank you!!!
Debbie, I LOVE how you put that, “falling” around the house! 😀 I have to remember that!!
When will your trees turn color?
Lovely Diane – love the mixture of a modern/vintage combination. Bringing in the outdoors is always a wonderful way to enjoy autumn on another level. I love your creativity and eye for the beautiful things of nature!
Thanks Tracy. That means a lot coming from you. 😀 I so admire your artistry in so many things.
The colors and textures God has created for this season are so inspiring and enticing. The world is like a color tray and toy box just waiting…we only need to take the time necessary to get out and play and create.
Happy Fall!
Simple but really pretty! I miss trees…. haha.. We are stationed in Kansas bc of my hubbies jobs and they just don’t have trees around here like they do back home in TN. In the first house we ever owned we had this gorgeous maple tree and I loved when it started to turn for the fall, it was so gorgeous.
xoxo,
Melissa
Thanks Melissa! We all love simple don’t we?!
No pretty trees?! Oh….that’s sad. 🙁
I bet you could do this project with some pretty artificial leaves and pretend? 😀
Happy Fall!
Such a great idea, I love it!!
Thanks Selina!!
Hope your day is Extraordinary!!
So simple but looks so great!
Oh Tammy….thank you for your kind words.
Happy Fall!
Oh this is AWESOME! I adore what you have done and thank you for the reminder on how to keep the leaves from drying out too soon… I just may try something like this. Fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year!
You are so sweet! I hope you do give it a try. I’d be sure to seal the leaves in the wax paper several times to get them well coated.
Wishing you An Extraordinary Autumn!
That must be the most beautiful frame that ever framed leaves. I love the shape. Your leaves are gorgeous.
What a nice thing to say Carlene!! Thank you!
Happy Fall!
Diane, What a great fall project! Bringing the beauty of Autumn leaves inside makes a festive statement!
Great tutorial. I’m going to try this for sure!!!
Please stop by StoneGable and join TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS. Your great dyi pedestal will be a welcomed addition! Linky goes live Wednesday at 8:00pm.
Thanks Yvonne…you just blessed me!
I love your blog!!
What a pretty pretty Fall display Diane. So glad you shared.
Awwww thanks Debbie!!!
Happy Fall! 😀
So pretty and it looks easy to do. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Debbiedoo’s. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House which goes live at 8am CST on Monday. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedcatedHouse
It’s very easy to do Kathryn….just make sure to get plenty of wax on the leaves.
And thank you for the invitation!!
Diane,
What an easy and creative idea! I think we are all thinking…..why didn’t we think of that 🙂 You and your leaves are so inspiring today!
blessings,
karianne
You are so sweet Karianne!!
Thank you! 😀
How lovely! What a fantastic way to use the lovely colors of fall leaves in your decor – and original too! I absolutely love the maple leaf plates, too. 🙂
Stopping by from Debbiedoos. 🙂
Hi Mrs. Handyverger! Who can go wrong with Maple leaves….they’re gorgeous. I’m amazed by their beauty every year.
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse.
Thank you, Kathryn, for being such a gracious host.
Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Lovely, elegant in its simplicity
Thank you Gail!! 🙂
Blessings!
~Diane