Fun With Fall Leaves



Leaf Printing

Leaf printing is easy. Use water soluble paint for printing on paper, or acrylics for painting on sweatshirts or long sleeved T-shirts. If you use acrylic paint, protect the work area and wear gloves.

Materials
heavy cardboard tree leaves white liquid glue paint (acrylic or poster paint) construction paper, fabric, or note cards paint brushes an adult to use a box cutter or something sharp that will cut cardboard
Have an adult cut pieces of cardboard slightly bigger than the leaves to be used as the stamper. Apply glue to the smooth side of a leaf (the one without the raised veins. Glue the leaf onto the stamper. Brush the leaf stamp with a light coating of paint. Place the leaf stamp on the fabric or paper and press firmly. Gently lift the stamp and you have a leaf print. Repeat with different leaves and colors of paint. If you let the colors overlap, let one color dry before applying another. Use your imagination to create you own designs.

Crayon Leaf Rubbing
	Place the leaf, underside up, on a smooth hard surface (table is good) Cover the leaf with a sheet of plain white paper, (drawing or typing) Remove the paper from the crayon, and holding it sideways, rub back and forth across the paper. The leaf's edges and veins should begin to show through as you rub Hint: Use bright colors like reds, oranges and yellows. Include green and brown too.

Pressed Leaves (No Heat Requirred)
Materials
Clear Contac Paper Scissors (Blunt Point) Fresh Leaves Hole Punch Nylon Fishing Line
Cut two sheets of clear Contac Paper large enough for at least one big leaf and maybe some small ones. Remove the backing of the first sheet of Contac Paper. Place the Contac Paper, sticky side up on a hard surface (table). Place the leaves on the sticky side of the paper. Leave enough space between each leaf to allow for cutting. Remove the backing from the second sheet of Contac Paper. Place the sticky side of the Contac Paper on top of the leaves that you placed on the first sheet of paper, sealing the leaves between the two sheets like a sandwich. Cut out the leaves being careful to leave about a1/4 inch edge around the leaves. If desired, punch a hole at the top of each leave for hanging. insert clear nylon fishing line for hanging.