I love fall–the crunch of the leaves, the colors, the milder weather…all of it. I could give up every other season if I had to, I think, but fall is a keeper. I am constantly racking my brain for ways to decorate with the changing leaves–and this year, I finally came up with the perfect way to preserve them, and not have them dry out and crumble like old toast. I picked my favorites and dipped them in wax. I was super simple, and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out.
You’ll need:
- Leaves {make sure they are not overly dried out}
- Beeswax {old white candles will work too}
- Double broiler
- Recycled aluminum pan {optional}
- Newspaper
- Wax paper
Directions:
Lay a few sheets of newspaper on a table and then add a layer of wax paper. This is where your leaves will dry after you dip them in wax.
Melt the wax over low heat in a double broiler. You want the wax to melt very slowly, and definitely don’t want it to boil. You can either dip the leaves into the wax {one leaf at a time} in the double broiler, or you can pour the wax into an old aluminum pan. For me, using an aluminum pan was easier.
Using the stem of the leaf, gently dip the leave into the just melted wax. Pull the leaf up out of the wax and allow the excess wax to drip back into the pot/pan.
Allow the wax to solidify somewhat and then lay the leaves on wax paper to dry.
You can use the finished leaves by suspending them from fishing line cut at different lengths, creating a fall garland to string along the windows, or using them in fall centerpieces. Once dipped, they will last longer than the season itself.
Happy Fall,
Mavis
Carol says
Very nice, thanks, Mavis!
Kelly says
Hi emailing from Canada
We put the really good,brightly coloured leaves between 2 pieces of wax paper and iron them, then let it cool, peal the paper off and the leaves last the season. Much easier than melting wax.
Kelly
Carol says
My mom used to use the waxed paper method, also!
Nancy D says
I agree, Fall is like a sensory feast both inside and outside! Sweaters, colorful leaves and cool crisp days. Pumpkins , spices, soups and scented candles. Fall is fabulous! Great wax leaf tutorial too!
Marcia says
That is so pretty. I miss fall. Here in So Cal, we get a little bit of it. There are a couple of trees near work that have changing leaves. But we also get crazy hot weather too.
I grew up in Pennsylvania though, and my home town had an “Autumn Leaf Festival” every year. I miss fall. Last time I was there was when my brother got married in 2002. Fall trips just don’t align with the school schedule!
Janice says
I used to dip leaves quickly in Johnson floor wax (do they still make it?) I’d let them dry on my brick hearth and then scatter them on the table at Thanksgiving. They’re very natural looking and stay pretty all day (but not all season!) They are so easy and quick to do, I’d just toss them out when I cleared the table. BTW, a coat of that wax on the brick hearth made the bricks shine, too!
Heather says
Thank you for the idea Mavis!
When I was young, my mom would do the waxed paper way to preserve. I sort of gave up on that.
This summer we moved from the Kitsap County, Washington to Northern Idaho, and boy let me tell you the fall leaves are excitingly lovely over here! I think I’d have a heart attack if I ever get to see the Autumn leaves in New England! Indiana is the closest east I’ve gotten for fall leaves.
Anyway, I tried your method and it was so easy and they all turned out lovely. This is coming from someone that always forgets an ingredient and a step in the instructions! I like this way better than the waxed paper since it coated the leaves with more wax.
Lovely idea, simply lovely!
Heather in Northern Idaho