Using natural leaves can be a beautiful (and inexpensive!) way to decorate the Thanksgiving table. But by the time the holiday rolls around, most leaves will be brown and broken. Here are some ways to preserve some now for your celebration at the end of the month:
- Glycerin: A simple process of soaking leaves in a mixture of glycerin and water keeps them colorful and supple. Read more at Martha Stewart.
- Microwave: A short run in the microwave will dry leaves and help preserve them, as outlined on About.com. Just be sure you watch them closely, as they could catch fire if microwaved too long.
- Wax paper and iron: By pressing leaves between sheets of wax paper, they are sealed and flattened with a protective coating. Be sure to put a towel between the wax paper and your iron. Find out more at eHow.
Related: Thanksgiving Decor: Fun Ideas for the Kids' Table
(Image: Felt Sew Good)
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Brilliant! Thanks for the helpful hints. I gather up autumn leaves and place them in a ziplock with a piece of wet moss and send them off to my friends in perpetually green or beige climes.
I dipped leaves in wax several days ago, and they're still vibrant today! Excited to see how long they last. I strung them up as a garland to bring a little of autumn indoors and they're lovely.
I noticed that Greenpa has a wax-paper free method of ironing leaves that seems to work well: http://littlebloginthebigwoods.blogspot.com/2010/10/sunrise-sunset.html