Wax Paper Leaf Decorations

Want to take part in a traditional craft that is practically bound to give you beautiful results?  Want to help your favorite kids make art? Preserving leaves in wax paper is a time-honored way to keep the multi-colored treasures from fading. If this sounds like just the project for you, then here are the steps:

• Place a leaf between two pieces of wax paper.
• Place a thin towel or thick piece of paper over the wax paper.
• Press on the towel or paper with a warm iron for 2-5 minutes to seal the two pieces of wax paper. (Damp leaves may take longer.) Flip the wax paper over to press the other side.
• Once cooled, you can trim around the leaf with scissors, taking care to leave some margin of wax paper around the leaf to keep sealed. Some people prefer to peel the paper off the leaf, leaving a wax coating to preserve it. Use whichever method works best for you. 

So now that you have preserved the leaves, what can you do with them? 

• String them and make garlands or mobiles
• Lay them on tables or in bowls for decoration.
• Hang them singly or tape them into wreath shapes as lovely sun catchers.
• Glue them outside paper bags, fill with sand and add candles for fall-themed luminaries. Or glue the leaves outside glass jars and add a tea light.
• Use them as materials for other crafts—leaves can make great skirts or wings for paper dolls, for example.

Children and adults alike can enjoy this craft—be sure to add it to your list of yearly fall traditions.