Fall Crafts

Preserving Autumn Leaves
by Michelle Jones <../../aboutus.htm>

My oldest daughter recently completed a leaf collection for a school project, but they really missed out. Instead of collecting regular everyday green leaves, how pretty an array of red, orange and yellow would have been! Besides the old fashioned way of drying flowers and leaves between sheets of paper under a heavy book, here's a few more tips for preserving those beautiful reminders of Autumn.

Wax Paper
Take the leaves and place them between two paper towels. Dry one side of the leaves by ironing them for 10 minutes, on medium heat without steam (move iron continuously). Then turn the leaves over and using a fresh paper towel, repeat process for about 5 minutes.
Now take the dried leaves and place them in-between two sheets of waxed paper, waxy side against the leaves. Add another sheet of waxed paper to protect the iron and press them again for a minute or so, until the leaves are coated with wax.
Now, peel off the waxed paper and see how the leaves have become beautifully preserved.

Microwave
Try drying your leaves in the microwave oven, by placing them between double layers of paper towels. Start with 30 seconds and continue until the leaves are completely dry (use caution as leaves can catch on fire.)

Glycerin
We found two ways of using Glycerin to preserve leaves, the first is to place the leaves in a flat pan in a single layer, then cover with a mixture of one part glycerin and two parts water. Then weight the leaves down to keep them submerged for 2-6 days. Remove the leaves and dry with paper towels.
The second way is to bring the mixture of 1 part glycerin and 2 parts water to a boil in a saucepan. Pour the mixture into a heat-proof container and submerge a few leaves. Keep in a dark, cool place until the leaves begin to change color slightly. Remove the leaves and dry with paper towels.

Going, Going...
Whichever way you choose to preserve those beautiful Autumn leaves is fine, just make sure to collect them before they're gone!
* * *

Thankful Tree
This project makes a wonderful annual tradition that your
family can really grow into.

WHAT YOU NEED
• Flowerpot
• Art sand (sold at craft supply stores)
• Bare tree branch
• Colored craft foam
• Scissors
• Permanent marker
• Large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

Step 1:
Fill a flowerpot with sand and set in a shapely bare tree branch.

Step 2:
Next, cut a pile of leaf shapes from colored craft foam.

Step 3:
As your guests arrive, have them take a leaf and, with a permanent marker, write their name and the date on one side and something they're grateful for on the other.

Step 4:
To decorate your tree, push a large ornament hanger or straightened paper clip through the stem of each leaf and hang it in place.

© FamilyFun. All rights reserved.

Walking Stick Grip
Personalize a favorite walking stick with a braided grip and wrist strap that are as comfortable as an old T-shirt.

WHAT YOU NEED
• Old T-shirt
• Scissors
• Wooden beads
• Walking stick
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

Step 1:
Tear or cut an old T-shirt into 1-inch-wide strips. Tie the strips end to end to create three strips, roughly 2 yards long.

Step 2:
Thread a bead (or two or three) onto the end of each strip and tie a knot in the strip to hold the bead in place.

Step 3:
Tie all three strips together about 4 inches from the beads. Braid the strips.

Step 4:
Make a wrist strap with the end closest to the beads by tying off a loop big enough for a hand to fit through.

Step 5:
Hold the loop against the walking stick and thread the other end of the braid through the middle of the loop. Pull tight.

Step 6:
Tightly wrap the rest of the braid around the top 6 inches or so of the walking stick to form a grip. Tie off the braid by looping the end through the last few wraps.

© FamilyFun. All rights reserved.

Stick Vase
Sticks gathered during a nature walk decorate a woodsy vase that even young children can make in minutes.

WHAT YOU NEED
• Sticks (1/4 inch in diameter)
• Garden clippers
• Empty plastic jar
• Thick rubber bands
• Raffia or ribbon
• Glue and pinecones (optional)
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
Step 1:
Break or snip sticks to about an inch longer than the jar.

Step 2:
Put two rubber bands around the jar, one inch from the top and bottom. Now begin tucking the sticks under both rubber bands, placing them as close as possible to each other.

Step 3:
Once the jar is surrounded with sticks, slide the rubber bands together at the jar's middle and cover them with a decorative bow.

Step 4:
Glue on a few pinecones, then fill the vase with flowers. For campers uninterested in flower arrangements, this vessel also makes a fine pencil holder.

© FamilyFun. All rights reserved.

Apple Pie Spice Potpourri
A delightful potpourri with real apple slices and spices, to make your house smell wonderful!

1 small apple - made into dried apple slices (see below)
1 cup carnation petals, pink and red, dried
Cinnamon stick, broken into small pieces
2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 1/ 2 tablespoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon grated orange peel

3 drops vanilla fragrance oil (at your craft store)
Preheat your oven to 150 degrees. Slice the unpeeled apple in very thin slices and lay in a single layer on a baking sheet sprayed lightly with vegetable oil spray and bake for 30 minutes. You can sprinkle a little cinnamon on top to make these cinnamon dried apples. Let the dried apple cool for about ten minutes before adding to the other ingredients.
In a lidded glass jar (a Mason jar is perfect) combine all of the ingredients of the potpourri mixture, and gently combine with a wooden spoon. Cover tightly. This mixture will keep for months. To use, place about a tablespoon into 2 cups of boiling water. Turn down the heat and let the mixture simmer gently to release all of the wonderful apple pie scent!
http://www.kitchencraftsnmore.net/crafts.html