Sep 9, 2011
Nathalie Viau
As the days become cooler and shorter, it is time to go outside and see what we don’t really see every day: the colours of our changing landscape. The multitude of shades comes to us via tree leaves, shrubs and grasses changing colours. Why not try and preserve them?
Let’s get out there! Take some time out and go for a walk through your garden, backyard or local park. To capture the great outdoors a little longer, pick up some fallen leaves and preserve them.
- Preserve leaves by drying them between sheets of paper under a heavy book and finish them off with a coat of wax.
- 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 five minutes.
- Now take the dried leaves and place them between two sheets of waxed paper, with the 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. Voila! Your leaves are beautifully preserved!
Another great fall activity you can try with your kids is to identify the types of trees in your neighbourhood and which leaves below to them. Make your own tree book for your region and add to it every year! It’s a great show and tell project!