Fall Frames

Enjoy the colors and textures of autumn all through the year with this unique accessory. These leaves look fresh off the tree when displayed on a twig background. We used a twig placemat for our textural background, but the same look can be achieved using twigs cut to length and glued on a cardboard backing. Hanging on a wall or placed on a shelf, this fabulous frame is the perfect home accent.

Materials Needed:

• Simple unfinished wooden frame with deep rabbet edge
• Twig placemat or twigs glued to cardboard
• Pressed leaves
• Handmade paper (available at art supply or scrapbook store)
• Wood sealer
• Acrylic paints: dark green and black
• Antiquing medium
• Assorted brushes
• Matte spray varnish
• E6000® Glue

Preserving Leaves

There are many different ways to preserve leaves. Check on-line for a variety of options. Our favorite way is to place leaves in the pages of an old telephone book. Leaves will dry flat in about two weeks.

Preparing the Frame

Remove glass and seal unfinished wooden frame with wood sealer. When dry, sand lightly, remove sanding residue, and paint frame with dark green paint. When paint is dry, sand edges to “distress” the frame. Apply antiquing medium following manufacturer’s directions. When the frame is dry, mix water with black paint and fill an old toothbrush with watered down paint. Rub your thumb over the bristles to add black paint spatters to the frame. Practice this technique on a piece of paper before trying it on the frame. When frame is completely dry, spray with several coats of matte spray varnish, following manufacturer’s directions.

Preparing the Leaves

Cut twigs (or placemat) to fit inside the frame and glue to cardboard. Size of handmade paper rectangles will depend on leaf size. For greater interest, paper should be slightly smaller than the leaves so that leaves extend past the paper rectangle. Tear paper to the size desired using the following method: draw a rectangle in the desired size on the backside of the paper. Using a paintbrush, wet the paper on the drawn line, allowing the paper to absorb the water. Place a towel along drawn line then place a ruler on top of the towel. Lifting toward you, use the ruler as a straight edge, and “tear” the paper along drawn line. Repeat for all sides. This procedure will give you soft edges on all sides of the paper.

Determine placement of the leaves on the paper backgrounds and glue leaves to the paper rectangles. When dry, determine placement of the paper/leaves on the twig background and glue in place.

Website visitors have permission to print this project for personal use only. This project may not be copied or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Debbie Mumm®.