Wednesday
04Nov2009
It's Wednesday: Why Not...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 8:34AM take some time to preserve the season?
When you come across the most beautiful sweet gum tree you've ever seen, take the time to pick up a few of the most gorgeous leaves.
Okay, maybe more than a few. It's hard to resist.
Take them home, melt some beeswax in an old pan over low heat, and gently and carefully dip them in.
Be sure to let all the drips drip off, then place them on a piece of parchment paper to finish drying.
Tie them to a piece of embroidery thread and hang. Hold on to Autumn, because it only comes once a year.
in at home, autumn, handmade, nature table, seasons
at home, autumn, handmade, nature table, seasons 
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (31)
They are gorgeous!!
oh thank you for the tip with beeswax, just last night i was ondering how i can create an immediate garland of leaves!
How beautiful!! We made some window hangings with wax paper, shaved crayons and leaves and are really loving them. Where do you get the beeswax for this project? I would love to try it!!
I just melted down a couple of old beeswax candles I had on hand, though I know you can buy just plain beeswax.
lovely!
Your leaf garland is just beautiful! So pretty. I love your cornhusk dolls too. When I was little, I would go to my neighbor lady's house and she taught me to make them (don't know if I still could or not) but I treasure that memory!
My mom made all my cornhusk dolls and I love them so much. She used to make them to sell at craft fairs when I was a little girl, and made these for me last year for the first time in a long, long time. Such lovely memories!
this is awesome! too bad all the leaves here are brown now... I'll just preserve the season by making applesauce. ;)
We made some of that yesterday, too! Nom nom :)
that is absolutely gorgeous. I think I know what I'll be looking for on my walk with Pan this afternoon... +Chelsea
Another glorious day in the PacNW! Enjoy it!!! xo
I was just talking about preserving leaves the other day. A long time ago I pressed leaved between wax paper--fun but not the same results as dipping in bees wax! Your garland turned out lovely!!!
Oh my, these are so beautiful, and what a gorgeous decoration.
We lost almost all of our leaves without turning from a heavy snow storm in the first week of October. But next year, this is a must
I still can't believe you guys got such an early snow! Fortunately you made gorgeous knitted leaves to extend the season :)
i never knew about dipping leaves in beeswax! thanks for sharing. it looks beautiful, especially against the light blue wall, with the cornhusk dolls and candles.
I've wanted to do this since last autumn... you've given me the push to get on it when the little ones wake up from their nap this afternoon!
What a great idea! I've got several preserved leaves in decorative arrangements- but not one like this. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, lovely!
We have some maples in the hedge and my cherrry trees are just turning colour so will definitely have a go at this - I think I even have some old beeswax candles somewhere. Top of my to-do list at the moment is to make crab-apple jelly from our crab-apples - hoping to do start that tomorrow.
Crabapple jelly! I am hoping to make quince soon...
LOVE this! You make it sound so easy. Perhaps we'll try it this weekend. (Thanks for the inspiration!) xoxo
It was super easy- just re-dip/melt the ones that don't come out to your liking. :) xox
What a lovely idea. They look beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
they're lovely! we've done some in waxed paper and contruction paper frames for the windows - you're absolutely right about preserving this beauty!
so pretty! I saw this in a magazine a year or two ago.. I thought it would be a cute project to do in her class, but probably wouldn't work with one teacher and 20 kids... It looks so nice, though!
Oh, this has been our to-do list this week and the colors are just amazing right now (and sunshine to boot!). We've been consumed with mushrooms (we found the little red ones with white dots...you know, children of the forest mushrooms...I didn't have our guide, but I'm pretty sure to not touch those!). Thanks for your daily inspiration this week...I've needed it!
Mel, where did you find those mushrooms? I hope you took photos! :) xo
such a great idea, and oh what a beautiful result!
it truly was a glorious day here in the pacNW; we enjoyed a long wander through the woods up here this morning...
Wow. I have never heard of doing this to leaves. It is beautiful. I am going to do this as soon as possible. I'll just have to look a little harder for those leaves down here in southern california.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Greta
What a beautiful project. I brought some leaves back from upstate last week but obviously they didn't stay vibrant. Next time I'll do this; sort of like the old waxed paper deal, but much nicer.
Kyrie. I am going to do this. Tomorrow.
Wow. Your garland looks so beautiful, and what a simple idea. Thank-you for sharing!
Lovely, Kyrie, just lovely.
LOVE this idea! I'm putting that in "seasonal decorating" file. You're so crafty, I love it!