preserving leaves and a leaf lantern

Today we made lasagna (with homemade tomato sauce), roasted pumpkin seeds and preserved some of the gorgeous Autumn leaves that came down with the wind this week.

araina and modge podge

modge podge scarlet maple 2

We like to preserve them in a couple different ways. We waxed some, pressed some, and coated some leaves in Mod Podge .

modge podge drying leaves

Then created with some to make the perfect November glow! This was so simple. We used Mod Podge to glue pressed leaves onto a clean glass.

leaf lantern 1

leaf lantern

Happy November!

33 comments on “preserving leaves and a leaf lantern

  1. Thanks for this post, I want to make a pattern with these awesome leaves I found put them on a background and in a frame/glass. First thing I thought of was to mod podge them down. Do you think that would work? Should I bother pressing them first? The leaves are sort of unique, and I don’t want to screw them up with lots of failed attempts at this! Wax paper only sticks to it self, right? I want the color to be as vivid as possible for as long as possible. Any suggestions would be great! At the moment I have them pressed in a book. But I don’t know if they will loose their color like that…

  2. Your leaves are so beautiful!

  3. Nancy Johnson on said:

    Hello,
    I just love the autumn lantern. Would you please be willing to give me the steps in creating it?

    Thank you,
    Nancy Johnson

    • 5 Orange Potatoes on said:

      Hi Nancy! First cover a side of a glass jar with Mod podge, then place a pressed leaf (pressed for at least 36 hours) on the Mod Podge, then cover the leaf with Mod Podge. You can layer the leaves on top of each other as long as you have the Mod Podge on them. After the leaves dry I would put another coat of Mod Podge over the entire jar to seal the leaves.

  4. underthebigbluesky on said:

    love, the lanterns and love the leaves right now. cannot believe so many people blow them away!

  5. nicola@which name? on said:

    beautiful lantern!
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

  6. renee ~ heirloom seasons on said:

    Beautiful glowing post!

  7. Mama Rose on said:

    Wow…that lantern looks beautiful!! This is so going to be a project for us this month. Thanks for sharing :)

  8. kristen on said:

    So very pretty. Going leaf hunting now… : )

  9. I love how the lanterns glow… beautiful!

  10. Dogwood Girl on said:

    Love this idea. V. easy, too! Can’t wait to try it with my kids. Thanks!

  11. Amanda on said:

    I love the simplicity of the project, and the warmth of the result! Thank you for sharing!

  12. I am clearly adopted! you, the girls, and beans are so darn cute and talented. I am very proud of my adopted family! lots of hugs, your less creative and not-so-stylish middle sister

  13. Thank you for the leaf preserving tips. Which do you think works better for preserving color? Beth

    • 5 Orange Potatoes on said:

      I like the waxed leaves the best. They smell so good and have a soft color. I’m not loving the Mod Podge smell and they don’t look as natural. That’s just coming from a purist’s perspective.

  14. Rainy still looks like she is not feeling too well :( I love the little lanterns. Fauan looks so pretty holding one.

    Bobbi will not stop playing with the little orange woolen ball. He feel asleep hugging it this morning.

  15. Melissa on said:

    Happy November indeed!

  16. I think the leaf lanterns are just so beautiful on a dinner table or anywhere really….. have you ever tried dipping the whole leaf into melted wax? I think I
    may try that. Great autumn projects Lisa!

    • 5 Orange Potatoes on said:

      Tara, melted wax is my favorite way to preserve the leaves. Such a soft color.

  17. Beautiful lanterns, you are all so creative :)

  18. The Tan Family - Syrendell on said:

    Beautiful! We tried Mod Podge with leaves last year and they didn’t stay…we’ll try pressing them and see if that helps. :)

  19. jeannette on said:

    Lovely photos and project! thank you for sharing :)

  20. kyndale on said:

    Sounds like a cozy weekend! I love glow of your leaf lanterns!

  21. Never thought to coat leaves in Mod Podge. Will definitely try this. The lanterns are precious, too. Thanks for the inspiration :)

  22. Carolyn (Harbor Hon) on said:

    Wow! Your pictures are so fantastic! Thanks for another beautiful project for Autumn leaves. You rock! xxoo

  23. Lisa Crowe on said:

    I am doing this tomorrow! They turned out just great! You should write a book with all of your wonderful nature ideas!!!! I’d be the first in line!
    Hope all is well!
    Lisa

  24. You always have the best nature craft ideas! The lantern is beautiful!

  25. I love the lantern! I’ve never tried the Mod Podge, but might have to start.

    Thanks!
    Ivy

  26. Wendy Hawksley on said:

    What great craft ideas. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with throughout November. As the days get cooler, we will definitely be looking for more to do indoors.

  27. Earth Mama on said:

    Last year we made lanterns like that with colored tissue paper, but the leaves are a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing!

    :) Lisa

  28. pennie on said:

    i think that lantern is wonderful…i think i may make some of those. happy november…i can’t believe it is here already:)

  29. renee @ FIMBY on said:

    The first time I read that I thought it said you made lasagna with leaves! Ha, ha. Great lanterns by the way, just lovely.