Preserving Fall Leaves, Part 1

Drying leaves in a book

Fall leaves are so beautiful, with so many gorgeous colors and shapes.  I collect some of them for decorating, along with acorns and pine cones. There are ways to preserve leaves, so that you can enjoy them longer.


The easiest way to preserve leaves is to dry them in a book.  Choose leaves that are in good shape, that aren't all dried out. Get a nice thick book that you don't care to keep, as the leaves will discolor the pages.  Put the leaves between the pages of the book, with 15-20 pages between leaves.  Once the leaves are in place, put other books or other heavy objects on top, to weight it down.

Check on the leaves after a couple of weeks.  The dried leaves can be used to decorate your home, or in various craft projects. Treat them gently, as they will be fragile.