by Denise Calaman

Created on: October 14, 2010

One of the most beautiful things about fall is the beautiful display of brightly colored leaves that Mother Nature provides for us.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could enjoy the vivid hues of fall; the golds, oranges and reds, year round?  By preserving leaves that we gather in the autumn we can.  Preserving leaves is an easy, inexpensive way to enjoy autumn beauty any time of the year. 

The supplies that you will need to preserve leaves are no further than your favorite craft store or neighborhood drug store.  The supplies are easy to find and inexpensive to buy no matter how you want to try and preserve this year’s brightest leaves.  Here are a few popular ways to preserve fall leaves:

 Pressed Leaves/Wax Paper

You may remember pressing flowers or leaves as a child.  This is still the most popular, easiest way of preserving leaves.  As with any attempt to preserve leaves you should find leaves that are flat, clean, and free of debris. When making pressed leaves the drier the leaf, the better.

 Lay a sheet of wax paper flat making sure that it doesn’t curl.  Take your leaf/leaves and place them flat on top of the wax paper.  Fold over the wax paper to cover the leaves.  Place the leaves inside of a heavy book and close it.  Place other books or another heavy object on top of the book with the leaves inside.  Check your leaves in two weeks.  If they aren’t dry check every week until they are dry.

 A faster way to press leaves is by using an iron.  Place your leaf/leaves between two sheets of wax paper.  Place the wax paper on an ironing board with a rag over top.  With the iron on high (no steam) run it slowly over the wax paper until it seals.  Once it seals hold the iron on the wax paper for 4-5 seconds.  Remove the rag and wait for the wax paper to cool.  Once your leaves are cool, cut them out. 

Pressed leaves are the easiest way for young children to preserve their own leaves although pressed leaves often don’t last.  They tend to get brittle and crumble. 

 Microwave Leaves

Leaves can be easily preserved by using a microwave.  When using the microwave to preserve leaves you should use fresh leaves plucked right from the tree.  Simply lay fresh picked leaves between two towels and microwave in 30 second intervals until the leaves are dry. 

 Microwave leaves tend to get brittle

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