Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ™

This article was originally published in the November 2005 issue of 2TCHKeepers, the T2CHK E-Zine.

by Wardeh Harmon

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made…” Romans 1:20

I am marveling at the stunning autumn colors surrounding me. When I reflect on all the blessings for which I am thankful, I am especially grateful for the beauty in God’s world. I can’t help but recognize that our God, who created such a world for us, must care deeply for His people. I find God’s artistry incomparable! He creates a masterpiece of endless variety each fall.

As a family, we recently started taking a walk together on weekend afternoons. A few weeks ago, we gathered supple autumn leaves on our Sunday afternoon walk. I planned to incorporate nature into our autumn crafts this year, but my craft hunting led me to try a few new techniques. I have four projects to share with you this month ~ preserving autumn leaves, leaf coasters, leaf ornaments and a naturally beautiful paper platter. I hope you’ll feel the same way I do when completing these projects — extremely grateful that God gave us an inspirational, spectacular world to explore.

I was moved to try the first technique, preserving leaves, because we grieve each year when our leaves crumble after a few days. Much to my delight, I found the technique to solve this problem when thumbing through a library book, The Complete Book of Nature Craft Techniques by Deborah Morgenthal and Chris Rich. According to the authors, leaves will keep for a few years if preserved and stored properly.

PRESERVING AUTUMN LEAVES

adapted from The Complete Book of Nature Craft Techniques by Deborah Morgenthal and Chris Rich

Needed Supplies

• Autumn leaves
• Glycerin (available in the pharmacy or personal care department)
• Water
• Rubber bands
• Scissors or pruning shears
• Large glass jar
• Small glass containers or jars

Choose autumn leaves that are still supple. Make several bunches of leaves, using a loosely twisted rubber band to secure eight to ten stems in each bunch. Be careful — bunches that are bound too tightly may mold. With a scissors or pruning shears, cut the stem ends to equal lengths. Thoroughly mix three ounces of glycerin and one quart of water together in a large glass container. Stand each leaf bunch upright in a small glass container, with the stem ends at the bottom. Carefully add enough of the glycerin solution to cover the stems. Place the containers in a cool, dark place for about five days or until the leaves feels supple to the touch. Remove the leaves from the glycerin solution and store them in covered boxes.

We incorporated our soft, supple, preserved leaves in the two crafts that follow. The first — leaf coasters — I discovered in a Better Homes and Garden book, 100 Crafts Under $10. Who wouldn’t enjoy sipping a toasty mug of apple cider or herb tea on one of these coasters? If you don’t have preserved leaves, you may use freshly-discovered, supple autumn leaves instead. Since you need 2 to 4 color-copied leaves per coaster (depending on the size of your leaves), plan how many copies you need accordingly. I made extra color copies so I would have autumn leaves to decorate my scrapbooks, greeting cards and other handmade paper crafts.

Leaf Coasters



adapted from 100 Crafts Under $10 by Better Homes and Gardens

Needed Supplies

• Preserved or pressed leaves
• Paper
• Glue stick
• Color photocopier
• Heavy white cardstock
• Scissors
• Thick craft glue

Arrange preserved or pressed leaves of different shapes and colors on a sheet of paper, leaving a bit of space between them. Use a glue stick to secure the leaves to the paper. Make color copies of the leaves on the heavy white cardstock. Cut out the leaves. Arrange the leaves as desired, using craft glue to secure them to one another.

The following leaf ornaments make a lovely addition to a Thanksgiving centerpiece or arranged in a pretty bowl in a prominent place. Once the autumn season is over, convert them to hanging ornaments for your Christmas tree. My ornaments (pictured) use reddish leaves and red metallic thread. If you use leaves with other warm colors, pick a coordinating metallic thread. The best choices for fall would be warm colors like red, gold or copper.

Leaf Ornaments

Needed Supplies

• Preserved autumn leaves
• Styrofoam balls
• Glue gun and glue
• Metallic thread

Carefully outline the back of a preserved leaf with hot glue. Position and press into place around a styrofoam ball. Repeat until entire surface of ball is covered. Put dots of glue under the ends of leaf tips to secure down if necessary. Get thread end ready. Put dot of glue just underneath a leaf and press thread end into it until secure. Wind thread around leaf to desired arrangement, keeping it taut. Cut thread end, while holding it so it doesn’t unravel. Put another dot of glue just underneath a leaf that thread end will reach. Press thread end into the glue until secure.

Finally, I desired a natural looking platter for a centerpiece, so when I found this idea in 101 Crafts Under $10 by Butterick, I couldn’t wait to try it. I filled my finished paper platter with spanish moss, decorative gourds and some as yet unidentified prickly burrs my husband brought me from outdoors. If you would like a differently shaped platter, consider using a large plate or pie dish as your mold.

Paper Platter

adapted from 101 Crafts Under $10 by Butterick

Needed Supplies

• Corrugated cardboard (recycle a box, inside or outside side unmarked)
• Decoupage medium
• Jute twine
• Metal or glass loaf pan
• Spongebrush
• White craft glue
• Petroleum jelly or oil spray
• Tack cloth
• Bowl of warm water
• Paper towels

Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly or oil spray to inside of pan. Tear cardboard into random pieces, not larger than 2 by 3 inches. Place cardboard in bowl with some warm water. Soak for a few minutes until corrugated layers separate. Throw away all middle layer pieces. Squeeze out excess water, then place between some paper towels to remove even more water.

Coat one side of paper with decoupage medium and begin arranging paper inside pan, starting at bottom of pan and working up sides. Use fingers to smooth paper in place. Apply thin coat of medium over each layer of paper before applying the next layer. Repeat process two more times so that there are three layers of paper. Wait until all three layers of paper are dry (12 to 24 hours). Store unused damp papers in a plastic bag for later.

After paper “pan” is completely dry, carefully remove it from the loaf pan. Wipe off any remaining petroleum jelly or oil with a dry cloth. Add one or two more layers of paper on outside of paper “pan” to complete. Allow to dry completely, then apply another coat of decoupage medium to inside and outside.

To make handles, cut off two pieces of jute twine to desired length, leaving enough room to knot both ends. Knot both ends of each length. Glue one to each end of pan.

I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions at wardeh@t2chk.org. Happy Autumn!

© Copyright 2005 by Wardeh Harmon. Used with permission from the author.