My DIY-gathered leaves and pine cones

[BnB]

I am having my flower girls drop real leaves, but was afraid that the weather wouldn't cooperate next fall, and the wedding would be too early to gather some pretty colored leaves.

So, last night I collected a huge amount, and will preserve them for the ceremony next year.

Still trying to figure out if I want to spray them with something, or dip them in glycerin/water solution.

Anyone ever try to do this?

Then, for the ceremony, I will put them into baskets for the fg's to drop and decorate with ribbon.

Also collected tiny pinecones to preserve. I must wash them first, and let them dry and then spray them with clear paint or polyurethane.

I want to use them instead of rice, bubbles, etc

I tried it on Kurt, he says they don't 'hurt' when I bombed him. LOL

anyway, don't know what to put them in to hand out to the guests.

Kurt says just let them in a nice big basket and let everyone grab a handful.

I don't know.
I'd like some cool idea, like a cool little fall colored bag or burlap tied with raffia or something.

Also have decided on centerpieces.

Kurts dad is a woodworker. And I found this really cool centerpiece in one of my brides mags, it's a very large piece of 'log', carved out with a handle, made into a 'bucket or basket' and the bark is off, and they painted it with laquer or something to make it shine, and just added in flowers to match the decor.

I don't think I want the handle, but I do want the bucket/basket look.

Also was thinking of having him make thin/flat pieces of wood and drilling holes for some taper candles for the tables

I do want to use some pumpkins, but after seeing the wood, I think I've changed my mind.

[smileyone2002]

I like "kurts" idea. Maybe you can decorate a pretty basket or something and as people walk out they can grab a handful! I think that is a super cute idea and so unique! Good Luck:rassberry:

[SerendipityCrafts]

We have used leaves in several different ways for crafts & such.

To dry them (which also preserves them), you can put them between two pieces of paper towel, weight them down so that they dry flat and nuke them for a minute or so. Microwaves vary in strengths so you will have to experiment with times. Dried leaves, like dried flowers are fragile because they are brittle.

You can put them between two pieces of wax paper and two pieces of reg. paper and iron them - ie paper, wax paper, leaves, wax paper, paper. This will transfer a bit of wax onto each one.

You can also melt parafin wax and dip each leaf. The wax will appear white on the leaf but will dry clear. This is probably the best way to do it if you want them to hold up.

[Measha]

Hmmm something for me to consider to! I might try preserving some leaves just to save time, money etc. Wax you say?

Something else we've looked into is silk leaves. You can buy baggies of them for under $1 at places like JoAnne's Fabrics. Might sprinkle them over tables and such.

[BnB]

I found an idea on the internet yesterday and I'm trying it.

For the pinecones, they are soaking in vinegar water to get them clean, then tonight I'll dry them. May take days, and then I bought some spray, found at Walmart in the art section, to preserve them.

For the leaves, they are soaking in water, and glycerin. Couldn't find any at the store, so took some suppositories, uh huh, that's glycerin, and melted them, like wax.
The leaves will soak that up, and it will preserve them, so the internet says.

I'll keep you posted.

I thought about buying leaves, but they look fake. I want everything as natural as possible.

Plus, I'm a nature girl, so gathering was great fun.

[Measha]

Ahw I've found some realistic looking false ones :). I'm just unsure if I want to gather and store that many haha. Small amount of storage space here.

[septemberbride06]

I found an idea on the internet yesterday and I'm trying it.

For the pinecones, they are soaking in vinegar water to get them clean, then tonight I'll dry them. May take days, and then I bought some spray, found at Walmart in the art section, to preserve them.

For the leaves, they are soaking in water, and glycerin. Couldn't find any at the store, so took some suppositories, uh huh, that's glycerin, and melted them, like wax.
The leaves will soak that up, and it will preserve them, so the internet says.

I'll keep you posted.

I thought about buying leaves, but they look fake. I want everything as natural as possible.

Plus, I'm a nature girl, so gathering was great fun.


LOL....the suppositories thing is great LOL....whatever works