How to save autumn maple leaves. How to save autumn leaves

The maple leaf shape is easily recognizable. It can be seen on the Canadian flag, and indeed, there are hardly any people in Russia who cannot imagine it. Maples are very beautiful in autumn: their leaves acquire beautiful colour, somehow in a special way they smell. Children and adults collect them in beautiful yellow-orange bouquets, which, perhaps, can be called symbols of golden autumn.

But they are not stored in this form for a very long time. How to extend their life? And what else can you do with them? In fact, there are a lot of options. First of all, you need to choose the right leaves: they must be quite fresh, the process of decay should not yet begin in them. Having collected enough, you can think about how to save them. The most popular way is to iron them through sheets of newspaper. This will help remove excess moisture from the leaves and prevent rotting. But this measure can somewhat spoil their beautiful color. Another well-known way is to invest Maple leaves in the book for a while, it will not hurt her if you lay the blanks for the herbarium with a newspaper. But a couple of months, in order for the result to be sure to be good, you will have to wait.

So, what can be done with dried leaves? Firstly, the same bouquet that will last much longer, especially if you cover it special composition used by florists.

Secondly, they can be used for applications, herbariums and similar crafts. Some even make them beautiful roses, folding in a special way several leaves around each other. Such flowers can be covered with paint and made into beautiful Christmas decorations, especially since handmade is now very much appreciated, especially if it is such an exclusive.

In addition to the decorative function, maple leaves can play the role medicinal product, they are widely used in folk recipes. So, it is believed that they have wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties, and

can also serve as an antiemetic, diuretic, antipyretic. There is even an opinion that the maple leaf has an analgesic effect. However, it is better not to use such funds without consulting a doctor, since only a professional can choose the right medication for the patient.

By the way, not all maples have the same leaf shape, but there are about 160 species in this genus. The number of their shares differs, they can be round or more

elongated. But almost all nations in one way or another revere these trees, they have a place in the famous Japanese gardens, maple leaves inspire poets and composers to create poems and songs.

In addition, it is valuable wood and an excellent honey plant. In Canada, of which it is a symbol, it has long been made from it, which is added to desserts. This is how important this tree is for a person. No matter how useful and practical maple is, it is simply beautiful, and its leaves can long remind romantic natures of warm autumn days and people who were nearby.

The beauty of autumn foliage is fragile and short-lived. Today it pleases us with its special aroma and iridescent colors, and after a few days only a handful of dry wind remains from the yellow-crimson petals. However, if desired, tender leaves can be saved to be used later for various decorative purposes.

Let's try to figure out how to do it.

You will need:

• leaves,
• glycerol,
• paper towels,
• several large heavy books,
• wax paper,
• iron,
• newspapers.

1. Select leaves, giving preference to whole, flat, relatively fresh and undamaged specimens. Please note that dry and heavily twisted leaves do not absorb glycerin well, which we will use as a kind of preservative, which means that they are not suitable for long-term storage.

2. In a wide flat container, dilute the glycerin in water (ratio 1:2). Dip the leaves into the solution so that they fit freely and are completely covered with the liquid. It will take several days for the leaves to absorb the glycerin. If the process goes correctly, then after a while the leaves will be saturated with a moisturizing liquid, becoming elastic and soft.

3. Place the soaked leaves on paper towels and leave to dry for 1-3 hours.

4. When the leaves are dry, they should be placed under a press to remove any remaining moisture. To do this, you can use an iron or heavy books. If you want to dry the leaves with an iron, then they should be spread out between newspaper pages and gently smoothed out by setting the device on low temperature. The iron allows you to quickly prepare the leaves for further manipulations.

If you decide to use a book press, then the leaves should be placed on waxed paper so that they are closed on both sides, and put between volumes, leaving in this form for several days.

How to use?

Glycerin leaves can be used in various decorative purposes. They retain their shape and color for a long time, so they are suitable for all kinds of fakes on the autumn theme.

Collages for children's creativity.
Create funny animal collages and flora- an exciting activity that will appeal to creative kids.

You can turn ordinary leaves into outlandish animals in just a matter of minutes. All you need for such fakes is stationery glue, scissors, landscape paper and a little inspiration.

Collages can be supplemented with small handwritten strokes that will help to play with leafy elements in an interesting way.

Crowns and bracelets.
From glycerine leaves, you can make a crown for the autumn festival, which is held annually in kindergartens and schools. A spectacular headdress is assembled in the manner of a wreath or crafted using a cardboard base and double-sided tape.

By the same principle, you can make an autumn bracelet that will perfectly complement the themed costume.

Another decoration option involves the creation of crowns depicting forest animals, which are perfect for fairy-tale performances.

Original masks can also be made from leaves by simply painting them with a black and white marker.

Bouquets.
Usually, autumn bouquets- these are simple compositions of colorful leaves that decorate the table setting or home interior.

However, there are more complex floristic techniques that allow you to make imitations from leaves. flower buds. Such bouquets are especially expressive and suitable for decorating identical ceremonies: and anniversaries.

Garlands.
By stringing the leaves on a thin thread, you will get a bright garland that will bring an autumn mood into the house.

Looking for more sophisticated solutions? Apply glue to the leaves with a brush, generously sprinkle them with shiny glitter and fasten satin ribbons at the base to help strengthen the garland in the right place.

Stencils.
Leaves can be used as stencils to apply interesting drawing on fabric, paper or glass. There are two ways to make an autumn image. In the first case, the leaves are simply laid out on the surface, then paint is applied on top. When the coating is completely dry, the leaves should be carefully removed - unpainted areas will remain in their place.

Another method involves applying paint to the sheet itself, which is then used as a stencil. For such imprinting, you can use absolutely any paint (gouache, watercolor, acrylic, fabric paints), and the sheet itself should be painted on the side where the veins are located. It is better to press the stencil with a roller, but you can do without it by simply pressing on the sheet with your hand.

In this way, you can decorate clothes, home textiles, dishes and other household items.

Golden autumn is in full swing, the beauty in the parks is indescribable. As a family, we really love to walk in the autumn forest, rustle leaves, raise whole “pillars” with our feet, arrange fireworks from them, and on the way home, collect the most beautiful ones and put them in a vase at home ... Oh, but at home all this beauty is warm so short lived. A couple of days pass and the leaves dry, wither and begin to curl, and so I wanted to save bright colors autumn and admire them in winter!

And here are the resources! Welcome to the cut to find out all the "magic", as well as for fun ideas of what leaves can do!

Save the leaves

The simplest and most well-known way to preserve leaves is through drying under pressure. But this method is suitable if you want to make a herbarium. Just storing it in a vase or somehow decorating a room with dried leaves is not very good, because the leaves become too brittle. Therefore, if we want to decorate the room with the help of leaves, then it is better to choose a different method of “preservation”.

In order to “prolong the life” of fallen leaves, it is best to collect still “wet” (recently fallen), undamaged leaves.

Method 1 - soak in glycerin

To do this, we need a baking sheet (or a deep tray), a board (which will completely fit into a tray or baking sheet, in fact, glycerin itself (a lot)
Glycerin is the best remedy to maintain plasticity.

We make a solution - 2 parts of water and 1 part of glycerin. The solution needs so much so that our leaves can be drowned in it. The solution is poured into a tray or baking sheet, leaves are placed in one layer, and covered with a board on top so that the leaves are completely recessed. We leave it like that for 2-3 days, and then we check. If the leaves have become plastic, you can dry them, and if they are still a little brittle and “dry” to the touch, then it is better to leave them for another couple of days.

Ready-made such leaves are perfect for decorating a room - wreaths, garlands or just a bouquet.

Also, small branches can be preserved in a solution of glycerin.

How it's done:

1. Cut off small twigs with leaves and immediately immerse the stems in a container with warm water. Let them sit there for about 2 hours, away from direct sunlight.
2. Make a solution of 1 part glycerin with 2 parts water (you can add a few drops of dishwashing liquid) and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer it for 5-10 minutes over low heat.
3. Allow the solution to cool completely.
4. Remove the branches from the water container, and break their ends with a hammer in order to large surface could absorb the solution.
5. Put the branches in a solution with glycerin. Keep away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat until small dew drops appear on the leaves. This means that the leaves have absorbed all they can.
6. Remove the twigs and wipe the leaves.
7. Hang the branches upside down to dry.

Method 2 - wax paper

You will need wax paper (for baking), 2 towels, iron

Cut off a piece wax paper and lay our leaves on it in one layer so that there is space between them. Top with the same sheet of the same waxed paper. It turned out such a "sandwich". Now it breaks up with a towel (kitchen, not thick) on top and gently iron it so as not to dislodge the leaves. NO STEAM! It is also better to put a thin towel on the surface on which we iron, so as not to stain anything with wax. Pieces of waxed paper should stick together completely. After cooling, we cut out our leaves, leaving small edges so that the paper remains “sealed”. Leaves are intact!

Method 3 - wax procedures

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We take paraffin wax (we took ordinary candles) and melt it over low heat. ATTENTION - we melt in the container, which is not a pity, it is not possible to wash off completely solidified wax (we have had a special bowl for these procedures for a couple of years already).
Where the leaves will then dry, we lay wax paper (again, it is better to lay it under kitchen towel) (or you can hang the leaves on a rope to dry).

We take the leaf by the handle and gently immerse it several times in melted wax.

And now for some fun ideas on what to do with leaves.

funny herbarium

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A figured hole punch is always useful

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Shall we play?

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Painting

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We draw with prints

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Thus, you can make postcards as a gift.

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And if you take craft paper (brown) and decorate it with a lot of prints, then the issue of gift wrapping will be solved!

Can you print on fabric?

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With pencils

Leaves and fruits that have retained their color and texture due to processing using a special technology will give a special presentability to bouquets of dried flowers. From fresh fruits and freshly cut leaves create beautiful compositions. But these components can also be used as an addition to bouquets of dried flowers, from which they differ so much in texture, shape, and color. Leaves and fruits are especially good in the golden season, when the fading sad beauty of flowers is replaced by bright colors of autumn.

Glycerin Helper

The processing technology based on the use of glycerin helps to preserve the beauty of autumn leaves: their colors will become brighter and richer, a glossy sheen will appear. After such treatment, the leaves can retain their color for several years.

leaf preparation

If there are lower leaves on the stem, remove them. Cut the bark from the woody stems (5 cm). Lightly break their ends with a hammer or split sharp knife crosswise so that the solution is quickly absorbed.

Making a solution

Stirring constantly, dissolve 1 part glycerin in 2 parts boiling water, then bring to a boil over medium heat and cool slightly. Pour into a heatproof container, cover and shake to mix the solution well. (If any excess diluted glycerin remains, it can be cooled and stored for later use in a sealed container.) Slowly, slowly Dip the stems of the plants into the hot solution: it should cover them by at least 8 cm. Place the container with the plants in a cool place, protect from direct sunlight and leave until the solution is completely absorbed. The appearance of moisture droplets on the leaves indicates that all the glycerin has been absorbed. (The soaking process can take up to three weeks.) Check the blanks regularly because the stems of some plants absorb the glycerin solution more quickly. If the liquid has dried up, but the droplets did not appear on all the leaves, add an additional portion of the solution to the container (it should be hot, but not boiling). When the leaves have completely absorbed the glycerin, remove them from the container and wipe with a dry cloth. Before using the blanks, dry them for two weeks by hanging them on a rope. Blanks coated with waterproof varnish can be used to make bouquets of fresh flowers. (Such mixed bouquets are safely placed in water.)

Preserving large leaves

Large leaves of some plants such as fig tree and Japanese aralia (Fatsia), cannot be completely saturated with a glycerin solution, so their edges become brittle. These leaves

canned otherwise: separated from the stem, then placed simultaneously 2-3 leaves in a shallow container with a solution. When they change color and the edges are not brittle, the process can be considered complete (this will take about one to three weeks). The leaves are removed from the solution and laid out on blotting paper to dry.

Leaves garden trees collected in dry weather. Damaged or diseased leaves are not suitable for conservation.

The leaves of evergreens are harvested at any time of the year, and the rest of the plants - at the end of summer.

Philodendron leaves are very beautiful, but they are not preserved: in the process of processing, they can change color.

Do not use young spring leaves: they will wither if they fail to withstand processing.

Autumn canned "" leaves are stored between the pages of the book, but they are handled with care, because many of them become brittle.

Perfectly tolerate conservation in a glycerin solution, corn leaves, which can then be wound on a stick (drying, they will take on an unusual shape).

Attaching the leaves

Put each sheet on a thin wire, masking it with matching tape.

When to preserve fruits? Fruit processing takes much less time. It is best to preserve them in late summer - early autumn, although this can be done at any time of the year. Such canned food, looking very impressive, will serve as a wonderful addition to any composition.

Glitter in a hurry

Apply clear varnish to the skin of the apples. Pass a piece of wire through the tail of an apple and connect its ends: such a fruit is successfully used in compositions. Choose several apples of different colors.

Bright gourd family

Representatives of the gourd family are usually grown from seeds in open field, in a well-lit area. Original fruits appear in autumn various shapes(round, oval), which can be small (up to 5 cm in diameter) and the size of a plate (up to 30 cm). The peel of pumpkins is ribbed, smooth. The coloring is unusually varied: creamy white or orange, green and greenish white; there are also striped fruits. Harvest fully ripe pumpkins late autumn before the first frost. The fruits are picked, keeping a small stem, cleaned, dried in the sun for a couple of days, and then stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Ripe pumpkins are varnished, but they look more impressive in their in kind, so you can limit yourself to polishing the peel. Under trees and bushes, you can find leaves devoid of green tissues (that is, their skeletons). They resemble lace and can become indispensable element future composition.

Raw material

Particularly picturesque are the skeletons of magnolia leaves, which, if necessary, are bleached or tinted. In specialized stores, you will be offered ready-made lace, but you can make them yourself from ivy leaves, laurel or holly.

weaving lace

Pour in 225 grams of any detergent in 1 liter of boiling water. Put the leaves in this solution and, stirring with a wooden spoon, boil them for 30 minutes. Rinse the leaves under cold running water and lay them out on paper to dry. Remove the green tissue of the leaves with a brush in the direction from the central vein to the side. Rinse the leaves again, dry and spread between sheets of blotting paper to dry.

The beauty of autumn leaves can be enjoyed not only in autumn. Some drying methods may result in leaf loss or discolouration. However, there are numerous ways that help keep the color and shape for a long time. After reading this article, you will learn how to dry autumn leaves so that they please you in the cold season, when the trees on the street are bare and unsightly.

Steps

Decoupage

Select bright leaves. Collect freshly fallen, bright and rather soft leaves. The leaves may be slightly dry, but not to the point where they break or curl on the sides. Choose whole leaves. Avoid torn or slightly damaged leaves.

Cover the leaves with adhesive on both sides. For decoupage, a white adhesive is used, which becomes invisible when dried. You can buy an adhesive in a store that sells goods for creativity and needlework. Use a sponge brush to apply adhesive. Lay the leaves out to dry on a sheet of newspaper.

• In most cases, decoupage should be done the same day the leaves were picked. If you delay this activity, the leaves will dry out, turn brown and brittle.
• If the leaves are very damp, or if you have picked them directly from the tree without waiting for them to fall, they should be dried for a few days. To do this, put the leaves inside a large book.

1. Wait until the adhesive is completely dry. It should not stick to your fingers. On the leaves, it should also become completely transparent.

   Repeat on the other side. Flip the leaves over and apply glue to them. When the second side is dry, the leaves are ready to use. This method allows you to keep the color and shape of the leaves for a long period of time.

   Use of paraffin wax

   1. Take fresh leaves. Collect freshly fallen bright leaves. Coating with paraffin wax will give the leaves a beautiful shine. Dry each sheet by wiping it with a paper towel before moving on to the next step.

      Melt the paraffin wax in disposable tableware. 450 g of paraffin wax should be melted in a disposable dish, heating it over low heat.

      • To melt paraffin wax faster, cut it into large pieces and spread them evenly across the bottom of a disposable dish.
      • If you don't have a disposable container to melt paraffin wax, grab a cake pan that you don't plan on using for cooking anymore. Wax can ruin the mold, so don't use the utensils you're cooking in.

   2. Remove the melted wax from the stove. Be very careful as the melted wax is very hot. Place it carefully on your desktop. Be careful not to overturn the wax container. This is especially important to consider if you have pets or children in your home.

      Dip each leaf into the melted wax. Hold the leaf by the handle and dip it in the wax a few times. Make sure that both sides of the sheet are completely covered with wax. Do not bring your fingers close to hot wax, so as not to burn yourself. Repeat the above steps for the rest of the leaves.

      Lay the leaves out to dry. Lay each waxed sheet on waxed paper and leave in this position until the wax hardens. Let the leaves dry for several hours in a draught-free room. After the leaves have dried, they should special efforts take off the paper. Thanks to this method, the shape and color of the leaves are preserved for a very long time.

      • To be on the safe side, line your worktop with newspaper before laying down some wax paper. Thanks to this, the wax will not fall on the worktable. If the wax gets on the table, it will be very difficult to remove.

   Use of glycerin

   1. Choose fresh leaves or a small twig with leaves. If you want to dry a whole twig of autumn leaves, this method is the way to go. Choose a twig with leaves that are firmly attached to it.

      • This method may slightly change the color of the leaves. Yellows will become more saturated, reds and oranges will become more vibrant.
      • If possible, look for already fallen branches instead of plucking them from trees. Remember that such actions can harm the tree.
      • Do not take branches with diseased or frost-bitten leaves. This method will not bring desired result if the leaves were caught by frost.

   2. Cut off the end of each branch. Beat the end of each branch with a hammer so that the fresh tree is visible. This should be done so that the branch absorbs glycerin better. Otherwise, it will not reach the leaves.

      • If you want to dry only the leaves, without the twig, you can skip this step.

   3. Dilute the glycerin solution. It can be purchased at the store. To prepare the solution, mix in large capacity 530 ml liquid vegetable glycerin with 2 liters of water.

      • Glycerin is a natural substance derived from plants. This leaf storage process is environmentally friendly.
      • If you want to dry the leafy twigs, add four to five drops of dishwashing liquid. This makes it easier for the glycerin to penetrate the wood. For nai best result Use dishwashing liquid that is colorless and odorless. Alternatively, a liquid surfactant, available from a hardware store, can be used.

   4. Place the twigs with leaves in the solution for three to five days. The twigs and leaves will need to soak up the glycerin for three to five days. Place the container with the solution and twigs in a dark place.

      Remove the twigs and leaves from the solution. The color of the leaves will become brighter. In addition, they will become more elastic. You can use the whole twig or individual leaves to make various fakes.

   Using the microwave

   Place fresh leaves between two paper towels. This is good way dry leaves for fakes. However, be prepared for the fact that the color of the leaves may become duller. Place fresh leaves on a two-layer paper towel. Cover them with a single-layer towel on top.

   • Use freshly fallen leaves that still bend well. Do not take leaves with curled ends, torn or stained.
   • For best results, leave a small space between the leaves so they don't stick together.

   1. Dry the leaves in microwave oven. Place the leaves in the microwave and heat them for 30 seconds. Then continue heating for 5 seconds.

      • Autumn leaves usually need to be heated for 30 to 180 seconds before they become completely dry.
      • Be very careful when you put the leaves in the microwave. If you leave them in the microwave for a long time, they may catch fire.
      • If the leaves look burnt, chances are you overcooked them in the microwave. If the leaves are curling around the edges, they probably haven't been in the microwave long enough.

   2. Leave the leaves overnight. Place the leaves in a dark, draft-free place and leave them for at least a night and a maximum of 2 days. If you notice that the leaves begin to fade, they urgently need to be processed.

      Treat the leaves with acrylic spray. Leaves need to be processed on both sides. Wait for the leaves to dry. After that, they can be used to make fakes.

   Use of the book

   Place the leaves between two sheets of paper. Unfortunately, using this method, you will not be able to preserve the color of the leaves. Place the leaves between two sheets of thick printing paper.

   • Use thick paper for printing, not thin tracing paper. Otherwise, the leaves may leave stains.
   • Lay out the leaves in one layer. Do not stack leaves on top of each other, otherwise they may stick together.
   • Choose leaves that are in good condition. They should be freshly fallen and damp. The cuttings should not be dry or twisted.

   1. Place a heavy book on paper. To on the book and on working surface no stains left, place paper towels or toilet paper between a sheet of paper and a book. They absorb moisture from the leaves.

      You can also dry the leaves right in the book, but in this case you should use only old book, which will not be a pity, as stains may remain. Place the leaves between the pages of the book. For best results, place each sheet at least 20 pages apart.

      • Use the telephone directory if you have one.
      • Place a heavy object on top of the book. This will keep the leaves flat and dry. You can use other books, bricks, or any other heavy object.

   2. Check the condition of the leaves after a week. They must be dry. If they are still not dry, continue drying for a few days.

   Use of wax paper

   Choose fresh leaves. Use moist, bright and freshly fallen leaves. After the procedure, the leaves will become shiny.

   1. Dry the leaves. Place dry leaves between two paper towels. Arrange the leaves in a single layer so that there is free space between them. Iron paper towels on each side. Iron each side for 3-5 minutes.

      • Drying the leaves ahead of time will help them retain their color and quality after covering the leaves with wax paper.
      • Do not use the steam function on the iron when drying leaves. The steam will return moisture to the leaves. Use the dry ironing function.
      • Feel the leaves after ironing them for 3 to 5 minutes. If the sheet is still not dry enough, iron it for a few more minutes on each side.