How To

How to Make Autumn Leaf Placemats

By Dawn Peters, eHow Member Rating
How to Make Autumn Leaf Placemats
Rate: (22 Ratings)

There are few autumn crafts you can do with your children to help them celebrate the arrival of fall. The one I am going to share with you happens to be one that I did as a young girl and I enjoyed it every year. So much so, that even as an adult I have been known to do this still!

These can be used as placemats, or window decorations and are fun and easy!

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Collect leaves of all colors, shapes and sizes
  • Wax paper
  • Hot Iron
  • Crayon shavings
  1. Step 1

    Go for a walk and collect your leaves all sizes, shapes, colors.

  2. Step 2

    Cut two evenly sized pieces of wax paper. Have your child arrange the colorful leafs on one piece of the wax paper making sure that you leave about 1/2" border along each side.

  3. Step 3

    Next, have your child (or, if they are too young you can do) take old crayons and "shave off pieces in different colors using a small knife or an old cheese grater. Sprinkle these over the leaves and wax paper.

  4. Step 4

    Last, put the other piece of wax paper on top of the first that has been decorated with leaves and crayon colors. Carefully transport this to your ironing board and using a slightly hot iron, gently press the two pices of wax paper until they melt together and the crayon shavings melt in between.

Tips & Warnings
  • Make each placemat unique by placing their photo in the center
  • Trim the placemats to the shape you wish
  • Line the edge with trim-lace/ribbons, etc.
  • Perhaps typing up a nice poem and setting it in the center would make a nice poster!
  • This would make a great Thanksgiving Card
  • Do not let a child do this unsupervised-An iron is an Adult tool!
  • This is addictive...have fun!
Resources

Comments  

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on 9/16/2008 I love this! My little one has been collecting leaves on our evening walks and I was just wondering what we can do with them. Perfect timing!

ptb49er said

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on 9/15/2008 Creative and fun project. Five stars!

LilacGirl said

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on 9/15/2008 I can remember doing this too, but had forgotten until your article reminded me. This is a terrific craft project to do with young kids. Good article.

amylaine said

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on 9/15/2008 Sounds like something fun to do with the kids.

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on 9/15/2008 I recall doing this craft project as a kid. What fun!

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