Falloween Fun Day #23

For Today's Falloween Fun List- Start a Leaf Alphabet with your kids!

Always collecting the beautiful colored leaves this time of year like I am?  But then never quite knowing what to do with them?  Try this creative Fall Craft found on Martha Stewart's website.  Not many materials are needed- just leaves, glue and thicker paper!  This project could be a lengthy one but collect leaves now and you can work on this all winter. 

See more at www.marthastewart.com

Materials

     Leaves

     Heavy paper

     Glue stick, white glue, or rubber cement

Steps

1. Step 1

   Collect leaves, avoiding ones with any mold or rot. Lay leaves flat between phone-book pages or layers of newspaper, then weight them with something heavy. Allow one to two weeks to fully flatten and dry. If you live in an area without many leaves (or want to enhance your collection), you can buy them online already pressed.

2. Step 2

   Arrange leaves on a page of heavy paper. Experiment with combinations of colors and shapes. If you are stumped by a letter of the alphabet, look in the dictionary for words to illustrate. Embellish leaves by cutting notches for parts like mouths, tails, and fins. From spare leaves, cut out details like eyes, wheels, hats, etc.

3. Step 3

   Glue leaves into place with glue stick or white glue (kids older than 12 can safely use rubber cement). Lay a clean sheet of paper on top of glued leaves and rub gently to smooth and flatten. Carefully remove the top sheet.

4. Step 4

   Label the artwork. An adult can use a pencil to sketch in guidelines for the letters and the word; a kid can then write them in ink. When it is complete, try to keep the artwork flat, because pressed leaves can be brittle. Display collages on a bulletin board or wall.