Among nature’s many beautiful wonders are fall leaves. When the weather starts cooling off, leaves lose their chlorophyl, and with it their green coloring. This causes them to turn various shades of yellow, red and orange.
The colorful leaves of autumn are great for crafting. If you preserve them properly, you can use them in all sorts of projects. This simple yet lovely door hanger is a cinch to make, and it will allow you to enjoy those leaves for months to come. Here’s how to make it.
Preserving the Leaves
To get started with this project, you’ll need to find some nice leaf specimens. Once you’ve chosen your favorites, you’ll need to preserve them. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.
One way to preserve leaves is to soak them in a mixture of glycerin and water. Just mix two parts glycerin with one part water in a baking pan, and place the leaves in a single layer in the bottom. Make sure that the mixture covers them completely. You may need to weigh them down with something to keep them in the bottom. Let soak for 3 to 4 days, remove from the solution, and dry with paper towels. Spray with clear varnish and let dry.
Another way you can preserve leaves is with wax paper. Just place the leaves in a single layer on a piece of wax paper, and cover with another piece. Put some heavy books on top and leave for a few days to press the leaves flat. Put the leaves and wax paper on an ironing board, and cover with a cloth or towel. Iron on top of the towel on a low setting, and the wax paper will stick together. Then you can cut around the leaves, leaving about ¼ inch of wax to maintain the seal.
Making the Door Hanger
- Preserved leaves
- Jute string
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Beads
Instructions
1. Cut four or more pieces of jute string, making each approximately a foot long. Hold them together and tie one end into a knot.
2. Tie a knot in one piece of string where you want the beading to begin. Make sure it’s at least 2 or 3 inches from the first knot to leave room for the doorknob. String beads on in a pattern, stopping about 2 inches from the end. Tie a knot right below the beads to keep them in place.
3. Select two or three leaves, bundle them together and tie the stems to the end of the string.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each piece of string.
5. Drape your door hanger over a doorknob, making sure that there is an equal number of strands on each side. Cut a short piece of jute and tie it in a bow around the door hanger just underneath the doorknob to hold it in place.
About CSAHM
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