Leaf Garland

Begin by cutting a paper sack along the seam so that it lays flat. (We won’t be using the bottom portion with the folds.)

Lay a leaf face-down on the table. (The veins are more pronounced on the underside of the leaf, so place that side against the paper sack.) Hold the sack firmly in place on top of the leaf.

Starting in the center of the leaf, rub outward with an oil pastel. Hold the stick somewhat sideways while rubbing to cover more surface area. Don’t worry if you go off the leaf a little, as we’ll be cutting these out.

Continue to make rubbings of your leaves. I’m choosing natural colors you’d find in real autumn leaves, but with 50 shades in this box, you could really get creative if you wanted.

Now I’m going to add a second layer of color using my Koi® water color kit. Oil pastels make a resist for watercolors, which is a really cool effect. Choose a color that will add some contrast to the rubbing. Only use a little water; you want the color to be concentrated so it will show up well on the brown paper.

Allow the paint to dry completely, and then cut out the leaves.

Use a small hole punch to make two holes close together on each leaf. I’m punching the holes near the top of some leaves, and at the bottom of others, so some leaves will hang upside down.

Thread twine or ribbon through each leaf.

My leaves stayed put, but if you find that your leaves slide up and down the ribbon, you can add a small piece of tape to the ribbon on the back side of the leaf.

I hung up this autumn garland with clothespins. I love the way it brings the colors of fall inside.