How to Frame Dried Leaves

Frame dried leaves to display with a floral decor.

Create your own wall art by framing dried leaves. Pressing and framing the leaves will preserve the colors and feel of fall if you want to enjoy the season all year long. Update the frames with pressed flowers during the spring if you want a change. The frames and mats you use will determine the style and look of the framed leaves. Avoid bright colors, such as lime green, unless you want the colorful leaves to clash horribly with the mat and frame.

Things You'll Need

• Mat or paper
• Glue or adhesive
• Frame
• Decorative accessories (optional)

Instructions

1. Arrange the leaves on a mat that's cut to the same size as the frame. Use thick construction paper if you don't want to use an actual mat. Choose natural or neutral colors that allow the leaf's colors to be the center of attention. For example, choose a light brown, cream, white or natural green.

2. Glue the leaf -- or leaves -- in place on the mat or paper. Use a small dot of hot glue or a spray adhesive.

3. Slide the mat or paper between the glass and backing of the frame. Secure the frame.

4. Decorate the frame if you want to give it a rustic or woodsy feeling. Use hot glue to attach twigs, bark or small silk leaves to the outside of the frame. Small novelty animal shapes in wood, plastic or craft foam will also work.

Tips & Warnings

• Press the leaves before framing them. Let the leaves spend a couple weeks between pieces of tissue paper in the middle of a thick book or press them between two pieces of thick brown paper, such as a grocery bag, with an iron set on "low."

References

• "Country Living"; Decorating with Pressed Leaves; Ed McCann
• Martha Stewart; How to Frame Pressed Leaves; April 2010
• P. Allen Smith Garden Home: Fall Leaf Frame