How to Frame a Leaf

Collect and preserve leaves you find interesting or attractive. Autumn leaves can be preserved by placing them in old telephone books or by using clean sheets of cardboard stacked on top of each other with a weight on top. Drying times will vary depending on the size of the leaf and the amount of moisture it contains. Preserving fresh green leaves in glycerin will help keep their details vivid.

Place a clean, cotton towel across your ironing board so that half hangs off the side. Then place a piece of wax paper on top of the towel. Add your preserved leaves so that no edges overlap and cover them with a second piece of wax paper. Fold the remaining part of the towel over the wax paper, being careful not to disturb the leaves.

Iron the towel with the leaves inside for approximately three to five minutes on each side. Use caution when turning the towel so that you do not burn yourself or dislodge the leaves. The iron should be used in the highest setting with the steam on, if possible.

Open the towel and remove the wax paper. Carefully peel back the wax paper to free the dried leaves. If your leaves were preserved with glycerin, cut out the leaves so that each leaf is surrounded by a small edge of wax paper.

Arrange the leaves on the construction paper in any way you find attractive. When you have a design you like, carefully lift each leaf and glue it to the construction paper. Use construction paper in colors that complement your decor, or that contrasts well with your leaf specimens.