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September 7, 2020 · 23 Comments

How To Preserve Fall Leaves

Fall

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The light just glows through the leaves and the colors are so beautiful.

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.

I found this lantern in the Target dollar spot section.

It contained a battery operated tealight.

How To Preserve Fall Leaves Video

On one of my daily walks I started collecting fall leaves.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Once my lantern dry, it was ready for display.

The light just glows through the leaves and the colors are so beautiful.

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

Shop any of these stores and I receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Click here to shop

Shop here for How to Preserve Fall Leaves supplies

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Other Fall Leaf Projects

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Fall Leaf Sun Catcher

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Fall Candle with Leaves

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Natural Fall Decor With Leaves

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Natural Fall Wreath

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About Chas

blankMy website is about what I repurpose, upcycle, organize, clean, and hack today. I love to teach, craft, organize, inspire, help, collaborate, and build a community! Read More…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankPat says

    September 7, 2020 at 8:34 am

    Very nice idea! Autumn is my favorite season

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 7, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you Pat, it’s my favorite too πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. blankMary from Life at Bella Terra says

    September 8, 2020 at 7:21 am

    This is such a fun and easy idea! What a great way to use fall leaves…Again, another Chas winner!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 8, 2020 at 8:23 am

      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).

      Reply
  3. blankLindaS says

    September 8, 2020 at 8:37 am

    So pretty. I love fall leaves. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 8, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Thank you so much Linda, and I have the acorns you sent me out on display again too πŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • blankLindaS says

        September 8, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        LOL Sweet! πŸ™‚

        Reply
  4. blankAnita Holland says

    September 8, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    Very clever project.

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 9, 2020 at 8:15 am

      Thank you so much Anita

      Reply
  5. blankJayne says

    September 9, 2020 at 7:22 am

    I’m looking forward to seeing more of these beautiful Fall lanterns all across your porch – that would look so pretty!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 9, 2020 at 8:14 am

      Thank you so much Jayne, I’m thrilled you like it and I can’t wait to make more πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. blankKim | Shiplap and Shells says

    September 9, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    Another great project Chas! I’ve always wanted to preserve fall leaves.

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 9, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      Thanks Kim, I love the glow that comes through them. So warming πŸ™‚

      Reply
  7. blankangie says

    September 9, 2020 at 8:37 pm

    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
    come see us at shopannies.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 10, 2020 at 5:13 am

      Thank you for sharing Angie, and I am thrilled you like the project.

      Reply
  8. blankDanielle says

    September 10, 2020 at 5:55 am

    I love how this turned out! Fall leaves are so pretty!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 10, 2020 at 6:18 am

      Thank you so much Danielle, I am so excited you like it.

      Reply
  9. blankChloe says

    September 11, 2020 at 11:02 am

    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!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 11, 2020 at 11:23 am

      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!

      Reply
  10. blankCreatively Beth says

    September 16, 2020 at 11:57 am

    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

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 16, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      Thank you so much Beth, I truly appreciate it.

      Reply
  11. blankcreativejewishmom/sara says

    September 24, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    Gorgeous! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday as always!

    Reply
    • blankChas says

      September 24, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you so much Sara, I’m so glad you like it πŸ™‚

      Reply

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blankI'm a little kooky and a kid at heart. I enjoy spending time with family, being outside, watching movies, creating, teaching, and inspiring. I love making new friends and would love to have you join our community. Read More…

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