Make Leaf Prints
Leaf prints are fun and easy crafts for kids of all ages. They're also a great scrapbooking idea or a way to enhance gift wrap, cards and other paper crafts.
As an added bonus, you get two activities in one in that you'll need to take a nature walk and collect leaves of all shapes and sizes. Return home and use your leaves for your craft projects.
Steps
- Choose leaves that are still fresh and pliable. Leaves that are dried will not work, as they'll snap and crumble when pressed or worked on.
- Make sure that the leaves are dry before using.
- Lay newspapers down to protect your work surface.
- Select a piece of paper for your leaf print. Squeeze a little paint onto a small plate or palette.
- Paint the surface of the leaf with paint. This is best done by placing the leaf on kitchen paper towel and painting over using a small paint roller suitable for craft projects. Make sure the entire leaf is covered.
- Gently flip the leaf paint side down onto the paper. Carefully but firmly press on the leaf to ensure that the entire leaf comes into contact with the paper.
- Peel the leaf from the paper and you should have a printed mirror image of your leaf.
- Repeat with the same leaf and different leaves. The same leaf can be used up to six times before it ceases to leave an acceptable imprint. And by adding different sorts of leaves, you can build a pretty pattern or design for gift paper, cards, a painting, or any other paper craft project.
- Add more leaves of different sizes and in different colors.
- Let the paintwork dry. Then frame or use your masterpiece for whatever purpose intended.
Tips
- Some ideas for adding leaf prints to include:
- A gift card and envelope
- Gift wrapping paper
- Paper book covers
- Posters for a nature themed room
- Small paper mementos for visitors who have gone on a nature trek with you
- Scrapbooking designs
- Diary covers
- Gift tags
- Add several along a string to make a decoration or bunting
- Menus.
Warnings
- Beware paint mess––always line work surfaces carefully.
Things You'll Need
- Various shapes of leaves
- Paper, card, etc.
- Acrylic craft paints
- Small craft paint roller; brushes can also be used
- Paper towels for clean up and for laying the leaves on when painting them
- Newspaper
- Cup of water for cleaning roller or brushes
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