Leaf skeletons are beautiful, delicate and interesting crafts that can be used as decorations in various projects. It can be expensive to buy something ready-made; luckily, it's easy to make them at home. You can not only save a lot of money, but also customize them with a little bleach or dye. The best part is that you can also choose the size and shape of the final products!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Using Soda ash
Step 1. Put the leaves you want to use in a casserole dish
You can choose the amount, but avoid using too many leaves that cover the entire surface of the casserole. At most, try to create an even layer across the base of the pan. If possible, use sheets with a waxy, shiny surface.
Step 2. Cover the leaves with soda ash and water
You will need ½ to ¾ cups (70 to 100 g) of soda ash and 4 cups (950 ml) of water. Mix the solution calmly.
- Don't use baking soda; is not the same thing.
- Buy soda ash from the cleaning products section of any market.
Step 3. Boil the leaves until they are soft
Bring the casserole over a medium or medium-high flame. Then reduce it little by little. This takes about 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the sheet type.
The water will evaporate as it boils. Add more of the liquid so that the leaves don't dry out
Step 4. Take the leaves out of the water
Wear a pair of plastic or rubber gloves. Then use tongs or spatula to pull the leaves out of the water. If they are too syrupy, soak them in a bowl of cold water or at room temperature for a few minutes; thus, it will be easier to clean them later.
Step 5. Place the leaves on a layer of paper towels and use a brush to brush the cellulose off its surface
Grasp them by the stem with tweezers and use a brush or a soft toothbrush to clean. Then turn them over and clean the other side.
- It is even better to work with leaves if the water is cold or at room temperature.
- Be very careful with this step; the leaves are fragile.
Step 6. Rinse the leaves one more time with fresh water
They will be very delicate at this stage; be careful. Fill a bowl with cold or room temperature water and put the leaves in it. If necessary, stir them a little. If there is still cellulose residue or dirt, change the water and repeat the step.
Do not rinse the leaves under running water; the force of the jet can damage them
Step 7. Let the leaves dry
Put them between two layers of paper towels, then place heavy books on top of them. Paper towels will help to absorb excess moisture, while books will flatten the sheets. If you don't follow this step, they will be distorted and bent.
If you want the leaves to look natural (distorted and folded), place them on a layer of paper towels, but with nothing on top. Without that extra weight, they won't flatten out
Part 2 of 4: Trying Other Methods
Step 1. Soak the leaves in water
Boil 2 cups (475 ml) of water with 3 tablespoons (25 g) of soda ash. Take the water off the stove, put the leaves in it, and let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes. After that, scrape them off to remove the pulp as you normally would.
- This process is the same as the method above, but you won't boil the leaves all the time.
- This method is ideal for delicate or low quantity leaves.
Step 2. If you are not in a hurry, soak the leaves in normal water
The process will take two to three weeks, and you'll have to change the water from time to time so it doesn't spoil the leaves. Finally, you can also add bleach to the liquid to avoid mistakes and accidents. After this step, remove the pulp with a soft toothbrush.
If you add bleach to the water, follow the respective ratio of 1:30
Step 3. Use a biological detergent
Mix 2 cups (475 ml) of water with 115 g of a biological detergent. Add the leaves and boil for 30 minutes. Then rinse them and remove the pulp with a soft toothbrush. Put the sheets between two layers of blotting paper for two weeks.
Part 3 of 4: Coloring or discoloring the leaves
Step 1. Use bleach to make the leaves white
Put 1 cup (240 ml) of water and ¼ cup (60 ml) of bleach in a container. Then put the leaves in the pot until they turn white. This takes about 20 minutes, but may take longer if the leaves are darker or thicker.
If you want multiple skeletons, you can transform a few sheets at a time. Don't overdo the quantity
Step 2. Rinse the leaves with fresh water
Put cold or warm water in a clean container. Dip the leaves in water one by one; then put them on a paper towel. The water will wash away excess bleach and stop the discoloration process.
Step 3. Let the leaves dry
If you want them flat, put them between two layers of paper towels and put some books on top. If you want something more natural, let them dry on the paper towel, but with nothing on top. Without the weight, the sheets will be distorted and bent.
This process takes about 20 minutes
Step 4. Dip the leaves in food coloring or liquid watercolor to give them a paint effect
Mix the water and enough dye or watercolor to get the shade you want. Soak everything in the solution for up to 20 minutes, then remove. Rinse the leaves with fresh water and wait for them to dry using the same method as above:
- If you want flat sheets, put them between two layers of paper towels and under some books.
- If you want natural leaves, leave them on a single layer of paper towels.
Step 5. Paint the leaves with liquid watercolor or food coloring
Put your favorite colors in cups or bottle caps. Use a soft brush suitable for painting. You can use a solid tone or make stripes. When finished, let them dry between two books.
Do not use brushes with hard bristles, or you will damage the skeletons
Step 6. Spray paint the leaves if you want a metallic effect
Put them on a layer of paper towels. Apply metallic paint carefully. Use tweezers to lift them and transfer them to a clean layer of paper towel for them to dry. Finally, repeat the process on the other side.
- Do not let the sheets dry on the same paper towel where you applied the paint, or they will stick together.
- Use a floral spray paint for even better results.
Part 4 of 4: Decorating or using the leaves
Step 1. Decorate the leaves with beads, glitter or pebbles
Apply liquid glue to the ends and/or the stems of the leaves and sprinkle gloss over these areas. You can also attach beads or pebbles to objects, as well as draw something using colored glue.
- Use white or craft glue for this project, as well as a thin, pointed brush to paint something on the sheets.
- Don't use normal shine; its grains are too big.
Step 2. Use dried leaves to decorate a bowl or box
Cover it with a piece of film paper. Mix white glue and warm water in the same proportions. Dip the leaves in the solution and then pass them in the container. Leave them to dry, remove them and, finally, peel off the pieces of paper that stick together.
- Apply glue and a little extra-fine shine to make the final product prettier.
- If you don't have white glue, use craft glue or even stick.
Step 3. Use the sheets to make collages or cards
For this, use glue stick. You can also paint the back of the sheets with a thin layer of liquid glue and attach them to collages or cards.
- If you want something more interesting, use a paper punch or craft scissors to create a fun shape (heart, star, moon, etc.) in the middle of the sheet.
- You can also create prints with the leaves. Paint your backs with watercolor, press them against the paper, then take them off.
Step 4. Decoupage the leaves in vases or other glass objects
Clean the object with isopropyl alcohol and paint it with a shiny decoupage glue. Apply a thin layer of glue to the back of the sheet, then paint over the glass object. Finally, pass a final layer of product over the top of the sheet.
Step 5. Secure the leaves in a wreath
Attach them at the point where the central stem meets the base. You can make several small garlands and hang them vertically. The cord must be thin enough to pass through the skeletons. Use a thinner line for more delicate sheets and something thicker for stronger sheets.
If you want to keep the leaves still on the string, tie a knot on each side of each object
Tips
- Some leaves are more ideal than others for this project: plants of the hosta or acer genus, laurel, magnolia, oak etc.
- Do not rush through the cleaning process, or you may end up tearing the sheet.
- You don't need to clean the entire sheet, you need to clean half of it - to create something unique.
- In the absence of dye or liquid watercolor at home, use another type of liquid dye. Even something powder works!
- If you want to make the leaves very shiny, dip them in bleach first to bring out the color tones.
- The process can generate toxic fumes. Leave a window open or turn on the fan.
- You can make soda ash at home: heat some baking soda in the oven at 205°C to 235°C. Spread it in a thin layer on a baking sheet, then put it in the oven for about an hour, taking it out occasionally to stir. The process will end when the product becomes grainy.
- Use a soft toothbrush for sensitive gums or babies. The bristles of normal brushes are too stiff.
Notices
- Sodium carbonate is caustic. Wear rubber gloves when handling it.
- No child should perform this process without adult supervision.