Dried Leaf Candle Holders

I gotta say that by far Autumn is my favorite time of year. My living room has an Autumn type of feel to it year round. So before Thanksgiving is over I wanted to squeeze in just one more fall craft before Christmas.

Once a month a few of friends get together and have a Craft Night. It was my turn to host in November. I will say that there are not very many Thanksgiving crafts out there  (at least one you can do with 5-6 people for real cheap).

I saw this done on Pinterest using a mason jar. I had these vases sitting in my "to craft" box that would go perfect. (I got them at Dollar Tree).

So off to the park to collect REAL leaves! That was kind of fun on it's own too.

Anyway here are the supplies:

Real fall leaves (you don't want them too large or too dry). They need to be flexible for best results. Different kinds and colors too make it fun.

Vase or jar of some sort

Mod Podge and sponge brushes

Scissors and glue gun

T light (I'm not comfortable using real candles in these)

Embellishments if desired like ribbon, pine cones etc.

Step 1) First collect your leaves and press them flat in a large book for a few days.

Finally my husbands school books getting some use lol. 

He wont let me throw some of them away yet.

The leaves were still a little flexible after a few days which is perfect. The drier they are the more difficult they are to manipulate and stick to the glass.

From the pics above I put the different leaves in sheet protectors which made it easier for the group to choose what leaves they wanted.

Step 2) Mod Podge a section on the INSIDE of the glass that will fit your first leaf.

Then place your leaf in it (the more colorful side facing out) and hold as long as necessary.

Tips: It can be tricky at first. Some leaves will stick nicely while others wont. You can use more Mod Podge. But less is better. Or try another leaf if one is being stubborn.

I snipped the stems off too.

Also, if possible, try to keep your Mod Podge brush strokes one direction. It will look smoother once dried.

Just be patient. I promise it will look good when finished.

Step 3) Continue same as step 2 with more leaves.

More tips: I liked using small to medium sized leaves most. It may depend on the size of your vase.

Also the yellow maple leaves are nice because the light can illuminate through them where the darker ones not as much. 

So I would mostly use yellow leaves and then other colors as an accent.

And to have some spaces between the leaves will help light shine through them too.

Step 4) Once you fill your vase to your heart's content Mod Podge now the all the back of the leaves on the INSIDE to seal them in.

Step 5) It should look like a very goopy Mod Podge mess!

But TRUST me it will take a few days to dry completely. The girls at Craft Night were a little nervous about it but I promise it will turn out.

Step 6) You can stop here if you wish or add some cutsie embellishments if you like.

Now turn the lights out and go OOOh Awww!

Linking to...

A Bowl Full of Lemons
Lil Luna
A Little Tipsy
Not Just A Housewife
Someday Crafts
At The Picket Fence