4 ways to preserve the color of fall leaves

Here are examples of leaves preserved by different methods, noted below each leaf.
Here are examples of leaves preserved by different methods, noted below each leaf.

Fall foliage is both beautiful and fleeting each year. And it can be finicky and frustrating to try to preserve some of that color.

Since there are so many different ways to preserve leaves, here are four methods. While none of them are particularly difficult, they tend to suffer from the same unavoidable problem: The leaves must dry out for a few days before various protective coatings could be applied. By then, some of the brightest colors have faded.

Still, the results are pretty, and the leaves look nice scattered on a shelf or strung on clear thread to make a decorative garland.

With each method rated from 1 to 10, with 10 indicating the least expensive, easiest and best results, here is the list:

ACRYLIC SPRAY

This method was the easiest and fastest, though probably a better technique for adults than children given that it involves an aerosol spray. This technique comes from the blog called Small + Friendly, and it couldn't be simpler. Allow leaves to dry between the pages of a book for a few days, spray one side with an acrylic fixative, allow to dry, then flip them over and spray the other side. Place the leaves in a cardboard box lined with waxed paper to avoid sticking and contain the spray.

This method didn't leave a thick, obvious coating on the leaves and it would be easy to coat a large number at a time.

* Cost: 7

* Ease: 9

* Results: 7

DECOUPAGE GLUE

This technique was easy but a bit messy and took a bit of time given that the coating had to dry before the leaves could be flipped over.

It comes from a blog called Gingerbread Snowflakes, which features a detailed description of the process. Again, starting with leaves that have been pressed and dried, coat both sides of each leaf with decoupage glue, waiting for one side to dry before applying the glue to the other side. A small foam brush works well for application.

While this would be a good method for children to try, you must be careful not to break the brittle leaves as you brush. The resulting leaves end up slightly pliable, with a thicker, more obvious finish than the acrylic spray.

* Cost: 7

* Ease: 6

* Results: 6

  photo  Preserving fall leaves isn't difficult, but it can be messy, depending on which technique you use. (AP Photo/Holly Ramer)
 
 

WAX

While several bloggers report that this method can be a hot mess, it can be easy and manageable in terms of mess. The basic steps, as outlined on the blog Clover Lane, involve melting paraffin wax in a disposable foil pan, holding a leaf by the stem and dipping it into the wax. A quick tip: Cover the counters with newspaper, then waxed paper to contain any drips.

The wax adds a slight sheen to the leaves and, though it took a bit of time for the wax to melt, dipping one leaf after another was pretty quick.

* Cost: 6

* Ease: 6

* Results: 8

GLYCERIN

Martha Stewart recommends preserving leaves in a mixture of glycerin and water. This is the most time-consuming method because the leaves have to sit for a day or two in the solution, but it also is the most hands-off technique.

Mix 1 part liquid glycerin to 2 parts water in a shallow container, soak the leaves and let them sit. Once removed, allow the leaves to dry on paper towels. The leaves are pliable, but they also appear more discolored than the others.

You may have to go to several stores looking for liquid glycerin before finding it (check drug stores) and, though it's not expensive, it doesn't lend itself to other craft projects.

* Cost: 5

* Ease: 5

* Results: 5

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