Do you love the colors of fall leaves? Do you wish you could capture those colors? Here’s how to preserve fall leaves and I’ll be creating a fun lantern with them.
I found this lantern in the Target dollar spot section.
It contained a battery operated tealight.
On one of my daily walks I started collecting fall leaves.
I’m originally from Minnesota where there are so many fall colors. Here in Colorado, we don’t have as many color options.
The key to this project is doing these next steps when the leaves are still “fresh and alive”. The color immediately begins to fade as the leaf dies, and they become more brittle.
Don’t want to use fresh leaves? No problem, you can use fake fall leaves for this project.
I painted Mod Podge onto the lantern glass.
You can do this on the inside or out, it’s really your preference. I went with inside.
Mod Podge goes on white and dries clear.
Next I placed the leaves onto the Mod Podge.
You have a lot of options when placing the leaves.
How many do you want on each section
What direction you want the leaves to be
Change up the shape, style, and color of the leaves.
I painted another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the leaves.
Brush strokes do matter, so after you get the leaves in place be sure to run your brush from top to bottom. Another option would be to bounce your brush up and down to create a textured effect.
Once you have the top coat of Mod Podge painted on, let it dry completely.
This is the next key on how to preserve fall leaves. You’re sealing the leaves with the Mod Podge.
You can simply paint Mod Podge onto the leaves on both sides and let them dry to seal them. Then you can use them in so many ways.
Create leaf scatter
Make a garland
Display them in a bowl
Hang them with fishing line to create a falling effect, and you can see mine here – Natural Fall Decor With Leaves
Use them on a wreath, and you can see mine here – Natural Fall Wreath
Once my lantern dry, it was ready for display.
See how amazing the leaves look when the tealight inside the lantern is turned on?
The light just glows through the leaves and the colors are so beautiful.
HOW TO PRESERVE FALL LEAVES VIDEO
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Very nice idea! Autumn is my favorite season
Thank you Pat, it’s my favorite too 🙂
This is such a fun and easy idea! What a great way to use fall leaves…Again, another Chas winner!
You are just so kind Mary, thank you so much! I love preserving fall leaves and using natural things to decorate in the fall. So inexpensive and easy (plus you don’t have to store them).
So pretty. I love fall leaves. 🙂
Thank you so much Linda, and I have the acorns you sent me out on display again too 😉
LOL Sweet! 🙂
Very clever project.
Thank you so much Anita
I’m looking forward to seeing more of these beautiful Fall lanterns all across your porch – that would look so pretty!
Thank you so much Jayne, I’m thrilled you like it and I can’t wait to make more 🙂
Another great project Chas! I’ve always wanted to preserve fall leaves.
Thanks Kim, I love the glow that comes through them. So warming 🙂
I recall doing leaf projects where we ironed leaves between layers of wax paper thanks for sharing your project a new twist that we may just try out this year
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Thank you for sharing Angie, and I am thrilled you like the project.
I love how this turned out! Fall leaves are so pretty!
Thank you so much Danielle, I am so excited you like it.
Chas, these are just gorgeous, and I love how you used them on the lantern. I had no idea about preserving them, only the old trick to stick them in a heavy book!
Thank you so much Chloe. I have done the flattening with a book method too. I just didn’t like how the color didn’t last… Mod Podge seals in that color and it’s awesome!
Fabulous idea Chas! I’d love for you to share over at our weekly Wednesday Crafts Linky Party creativelybeth.com/
Have a great week!
Creatively, Beth
Thank you so much Beth, I truly appreciate it.