Fun with fall leaves

[knitter4democracy]

http://haha.nu/creative/how-to-make-roses-from-maple-leaves/

My son and I made a mini bouquet from the smaller leaves from our back deck's tree. It would work best with big ones, but it sure is fun. :)

[Nite Owl]

1. Those are really nice

I wish it weren't dark out or I'd go get some leaves right now! They would be nice for the table at Thanksgiving.

[Chalco]

2. Very nice! nt

[eridani]

3. I'm trying to resin cast them to use in jewelry

Still haven't worked out the tacky finish problem though.

[knitter4democracy]

4. I could see that.

Someone said to dip them in parafin before even trying this. I'm seriously considering it to see if it really makes it better or just messy.

[eleny]

5. I wonder if the glycerin dip would work

http://www.ehow.com/how_5454_preserve-leaves-with.html

I might try this with some large grape leaves.

[eridani]

6. I've tried glycerin and sorbitol

Both make the leaves more flexible and less likely to tear when I'm applying the resin, but the resin is still tacky. The resin I'm using is water soluble, and paraffin is pretty hydrophobic. That might actually help, though, and I should probably try that too.

[eleny]

7. Or maybe the roses won't need anything else if the leaves are flexible

[eridani]

8. That's true for an dried arrangement

I was thinking of a more permanent coating that could stand a little knocking around on a necklace.

[Goldfish]

9. Thanks for sharing!

I was trying to post a reply about 2 weeks ago, but my computer wouldn't cooperate. I was so intrigued by this
project but didn't have any autumn foliage around in my yard. I tried using some silk maple leaves that I had on hand so I could practice going through the steps. The result worked out fine--the colors are beautiful and the leaves are flexible, so it's easy to work with. However, the leaves were small, making the roses kind of tiny, about an inch and a half in size. It should be interesting to try this idea with other types of real foliage or silk leaves! Thanks again.