Collect and preserve autumn leaves to bring the beauty of the season into your home.
As the fall foliage starts to change, consider turning autumn leaves into decorative home accents. “Colourful maple leaves in rich fall reds and coppers make beautiful centrepieces,” says Natalie, a Bayfield, ON homemaker. She piles them into baskets and bowls, then clusters them around lamp bases. Her daughter Rita creates leafy mobiles by stringing individual leaves on thread or fishing line. Others create leaf collages to frame or mount in shadowboxes – the possibilities are endless.
The key to leaf crafts though is to keep the leaves from crumbling, curling or turning brown. On an ironing board place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper with the waxy side on the leaf. Cover with brown paper (like a grocery bag) and iron on medium heat. The iron will melt the wax onto the leaf, preserving not only its shape but also its colour.
If you live where foliage changes aren’t so dramatic, cut orange, yellow and red tissue paper in geometric shapes and place them on leaves before ironing. For an even more festive touch, add metallic paper or gold glitter. And after the season is over, store the leaves in a cool, dry place for next year.
Then, why not continue to surround yourself with the rich sensory experiences of autumn by placing Glade PlugIns® Scented Oil in Apple Cinnamon or Peaches & Petals™ in key rooms throughout your home. The fragrant aroma combined with the beautiful colours will be sure to create a cosy cocoon for you and your family.
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