This time of year, it's easier than ever to get little hands involved in DIY projects that are simple AND beautiful.
Try one of these preserved leaf projects to encourage little ones to explore and create all while making beautiful decorations for your home and holiday table.
1. Leaves in Floating Frames.
Supplies:
*2 frames of the same size. (The ones pictured here came from the dollar store.)
*Dried autumn leaves. (I pressed the ones shown here in books for a week.)
*Your choice of ribbon.
Hot Glue.
Directions:
It doesn't get simpler than this. Open both frames. Remove backing from both leaving glass only. Lay the leaves in any pattern you choose on top of ONE of the pieces of framed glass. Little hands love this part. Then remove the glass from the other frame and lay on top of the first piece of glass covering the leaves. Pinch the metal on the sides to hold the glass pieces together. For added security add a couple of drops of hot glue to corners of glass, close to the frame insides. Hot glue a ribbon or jute to the top for a hanger. That's it! You can hang them anywhere using a straight pin.
2. Preserved Leaf Vtive Jars. 2 Ways.
Supplies:
*Mason Jars of varying sizes.
*Dried Autumn Leaves.
*Jute.
*Battery Operated Tea Light Candles or Battery Operated Fairy Lights on a Timer.
Directions:
For Fairy light votives, simply unwrap your fairy lights and inside of a glass mason jar making sure that you spread the wire out so that it fills the entire jar and leaves gaps to place dried leaves. Then Stick leaves in and around the lights. Place a lid on the top and tie with a jute bow.
For the traditional votive holders, place a small jar inside of a larger jar. Leaving enough space between the two to insert leaves. Place a votive in the small inside jar. Then fill the space between the jars with a few leaves. Leave space between the leaves to let the light shine through.
3. Stained Glass Candle Jar.
Supplies:
*Mason Jars of varying sizes. *Dried Autumn Leaves.
*Matte Modge Podge.
*Foam Brush.
*A large bowl.
Directions:
Crumble dried leaves in a variety of colors in a large bowl. My 2 year old granddaughter loved this! Using A foam brush, cover the bottom half of a mason jar in Modge Podge. Sprinkle crumpled bits of leaves on top of Modge Podge. Let Dry, Then coad the leaves in another layer of Modge Podge.
Add any candle to the inside to create a stained glass look.
You can display a variety of these jars and frames on a tray to created a lovely centerpiece for the holidays.
The best part of this project is the time spent with people we love gathering the beauty that nature has to offer. Grab some hot cider and spend an afternoon exploring with your little ones. Collect pinecones, leaves, acorns, and twigs. Then enjoy getting tiny hands involved as you create beauty for your Home!
Happy Holidays. -BB