Fall Crafts: Leaf Luminaries

Just because Halloween is over, doesn’t mean that the crafts have to stop! The entire Fall season can be inspiring for crafts. Fall luminaries are a great way to decorate your house and give your home that Fall season feeling. It is an easy craft and one that doesn’t not require too many materials. It can also be done with older children, so it can be a bonding activity as well.

Materials

-leaves, preferably smaller ones

-paintbrush

-tea light candle holder (votive holder), or jar

-white tissue paper

-white craft glue, preferably the kind that dries clear

-water

-tea light candles

Instructions

1. Collect leaves from outside. You can use leaves that are still on the tree or bush, or you can use the leaves that have fallen to the ground. The only requirement is that the leaves not be completely dry, because they will crumble and fall apart when you try to use them to make the luminaries. You can choose whatever size you want, but the small ones work better considering the tea light candle holder is not very big. You can add as many leaves as you want to your luminary, so the number of leaves you need is up to you.

2. Once you have picked out your leaves, you need to flatten out the leaves by either putting the under a heavy book (do not stack the leaves on top of each other) or you can put them inside the actual book. If you have something just as heavy that would also work, do not hesitate to use it, a book is just the most common thing that is used. Leave the leaves under the book for about a couple hours.

3. When the leaves have been flattened, take the white craft glue and spread it on to the tea candle light holder. Spread the glue so that is all around the holder and spread it evenly so that you do not have random bumps around the holder when the glue dries.

4. After spreading the glue, take the leaves and stick them on to the tea candle light holder. You can do any arrangement you feel would look good, and you can use any type of leaf that you want. This part is completely up to you, whatever appeals to you. Let the leaves dry in place before moving on to the next step.

5. Next, take some of the white craft glue and the same amount of water and mix them together.

6. Take the white tissue paper and cut it into squares, about an inch wide.

7. Next take the mixture that you made from the glue and water and use a paintbrush to glue the tissue paper squares onto the tea candle light holder and over the leaves. You can overlap the tissue paper, creating some darker places, or you can make it even all the way around. Make sure that you bring the tissue paper inside of the tea candle light holder so that the edges are completely covered.

8. Once you are satisfied with the outward appearance of your luminary, let it dry overnight before placing the candle inside it.