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Home » Blog » A Great Fall Activity: Waxing Leaves

A Great Fall Activity: Waxing Leaves

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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I posted this last year and it was such a hit I thought I’d remind you all again…

We did this every year when we were young and it was so much fun. It’s a simple tradition but one kids love. First you need to gather leaves…go on a nature walk, find the most beautiful, colorful, perfect leaves. OR just zip your mouth, let the kids pick up the ones they want, no matter what they look like…there is no better way to ruin a creative endeavor with your kids than by being bossy and controlling!

Pick some of this up at your grocery store in the canning section. It’s a couple dollars and one box should be enough.

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Don’t forget to buy a disposal pan like this one…if you don’t you will have to use a good pan, and you will ruin it.

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Melt the wax over low heat.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be careful…hot wax is HOT. Place it on a back burner and guard it with your life if your children are little.  I don’t want to feel awful if you tell me one of your little ones got burned because of me and my cute little autumn activity.

I know I have done this with kids as young as 2, but you have to be vigilant!

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Have them hold the stem, dip the leave in melted wax and then set the leave on wax paper. Cover your counter with newspaper, then the wax paper, to make clean up easy, because it’s NO fun scraping wax drippings off counters.

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Let each leaf cool completely…once they are totally cool they will lift off easily. If the wax starts to harden in the pan, just warm it up on the burner again.

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You can put them in a big glass bowl, or tie them up with string to form a garland. They are beautiful and a perfectly simple (and almost free) autumn decoration.

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Some tips:

Make sure the leaves are completely dry when you start. 

Lots of people asked me how long they last.  It really depends.  The way I hang these in the window in direct sunlight and over 2 heat ducts makes them last till I am ready to get up the Christmas decorations…around December 1. (They start to get curly and shrinky looking.)

If you keep them in a darker, cooler place I’d bet they’d last longer.

I hung my leaves from thread that I tied around each stem to create a garland.

If you drip wax on your floor or counters, a reader sent in this tip:

Just lay down a paper towel or newspaper on the wax spill and iron it (cotton setting). It even works on CARPET, yes really.  I have cleaned up some doozies with this method. I would not use this method on fine wood furniture, there are ice methods for that.

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November 2, 2010 · 31 Comments

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Comments

  1. vera says

    November 2, 2010 at 4:26 am

    Yes! We did this last year after you posted it and it was awesome. Sophia actually asked this year, we just haven't gotten around to it.

    Reply
  2. Danylle McLain says

    November 2, 2010 at 4:34 am

    How pretty! I love this idea. Thanks!
    ~Danylle

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    November 2, 2010 at 4:51 am

    This year when I pulled out my fall decorations, I also pulled out the Gulf Wax I bought after your post last year. So every time I've gone into the craft closet this fall, I've thought of you! Our first fall in Illinois, and sadly, despite looking all over, I didnt' find any leaves worth waxing. Too wet a spring and too dry a summer, so the locals say. I celebrated National Pajama Day too yesterday, so the wax is already back in the Rubbermaid bin, ready to go next year!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2010 at 5:18 am

    I remember this from last year, but with a newborn in the house we didn't get around to it. Its most certainly fall around here and my oldest son has started a leaf collection…this looks like the perfect way to preserve all of his hard work. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2010 at 5:51 am

    Sarah, I was planning on doing this Friday as we don't have school that day, and I was trying to think of something to do with the kids. I wasn't sure what to use to heat up the wax… now I know! And you said it perfectly with "zip your mouth!" Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  6. Erin says

    November 2, 2010 at 5:52 am

    Loved this Sarah! And I love your Halloween post. I'm so over it too! This last weekend almost killed me. Fun, but like you, I'm done. Ready to put away the candy and the Halloween decor. On to Christmas…right!?

    Reply
  7. Pam says

    November 2, 2010 at 11:59 am

    So doing this this weekend!! thank you!!

    Reply
  8. cindy baldwin says

    November 2, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    I'll have to try that next year. This year I used Modge Podge, which preserved the leaves but made them curl up.

    Reply
  9. Amber@Munchkin Land says

    November 2, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    FANTASTIC idea, I think I'll do this craft this week! Thanks Sarah!

    Reply
  10. Kirby says

    November 2, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    Oh, I LOVE THIS! If only we had such beautiful colored leaves down here in Texas…

    Reply
  11. April says

    November 2, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    Great idea! How did you get the leaves to stay on your window?

    Reply
  12. Molly Melnick says

    November 2, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    I have seen this before just recently and I really want to try it. We live in Southern Alabama and leaves don't turn such dramatic colors around here. We have to really search for dramatic trees. But we are all over this project..soon! Thanks for sharing. And I love your new header..so cute!! You have changed my header life forever..I am so grateful for that…
    Lisa

    Reply
  13. Unknown says

    November 2, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    that was a great tip for getting out wax but please remember, be very careful using an iron to get out wax from carpet (even if there is a newspaper or paper towel in between)… carpet MELTS under heat from an iron, so it is very easy to melt carpet fibers this way. So if you DO have wax on carpet, and want to use an iron to get it out, use a very low setting and be so so careful! my family owned a carpet cleaning company and we saw many a carpets ruined with people trying to get out wax this way.

    Reply
  14. Wendy says

    November 2, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    Cute idea, love it! Thanks Sarah.

    Reply
  15. NanaDiana says

    November 2, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Sarah- We did this EVERY year when I was a kid. One year my mother couldn't find wax and we took wax paper and put the leaves in between sheets of wax paper and ironed it. It was okay but not nearly as much fun…nor did the leaves come out as good as dipping. I have always loved this but hesitated to do it with my own kids because of the hot wax…maybe I should try it now that they are just a bit older. Hugs-Diana

    Reply
  16. Shawni says

    November 2, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Oh man I wish we HAD some HINT of colored leaves around here instead of constant 90 degree temps because truly, not much is more beautiful to me than those gorgeous leaves in your window. I'll just have to remember this idea in January when our leaves start to get some color here in the desert. They are gorgeous.

    Reply
  17. Katheryn says

    November 2, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks for the great idea. I'm off to buy wax.

    Reply
  18. Jocelyn Lord says

    November 2, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Such a neat idea and one what we will certainly be trying next fall

    Reply
  19. {cindy} says

    November 2, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    This sounds like so much fun, the girls will love it!
    Enjoy the day Sarah

    Reply
  20. Seizing My Day says

    November 2, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    Oh…. I love love love it… but not sure i have it in me to do it… but it would make Fall last a little longer… especially here in WA where all the leaves will blow off in the wind and rain that we were supposed to have this week… only instead we are blessed with sun… ah!! anyway… Fun!! glad you shared! now where will I find that wax these days?? 😉

    Reply
  21. Farmgirl Paints says

    November 2, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    Just beautiful. What a gorgeous light filled garland. I'll have to try and remember to do this NEXT year. I know myself…it's not going to happen now. Hopefully you'll repost it again.

    Reply
  22. Melissa says

    November 2, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Sarah – Thanks for posting this. I loved the idea so much, we picked up leaves and made a wreath with them this afternoon. You can see the pic at the link below, and I linked back to your post.

    http://www.mommythecouponhunter.com/2010/11/fall-leaf-project.html

    Reply
  23. Amy says

    November 3, 2010 at 12:53 am

    My kiddos all had the day off school, so we went hiking in the back yard and did this project! They all loved it so. Thanks so much! I posted a photo on my blog and linked back to yours for the "how to".
    Thanks a bunch.
    Blessings, Amy

    Reply
  24. Amy says

    November 3, 2010 at 12:55 am

    AHHH, sorry, the link to my blog is http://4ourkiddos.blogspot.com/2010/11/school-candy-fun-project.html

    Reply
  25. Your Southern Peach says

    November 3, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Thank you so much! I have been picking up leaves for weeks now only to have them wilt and fade. I was wondering how to "preserve" them. We'll see if I get to it 🙂

    Reply
  26. Dana @ Bungalow'56 says

    November 3, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    This is so absolutely awesome, I just wished we had some leaves left… I will remember this for next year though
    Dana.

    Reply
  27. The Renwicks says

    November 4, 2010 at 10:51 am

    These are AMAZING! So they keep their color for the weeks that they hang? Im not sure where we'd find that wax in London – but im going to have a look online! Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply
  28. Anonymous says

    November 10, 2010 at 5:21 am

    I am so going to try this with my kids, they would LOVE it!!! And with plenty of fallen leaves to pick from it should be easy to pick a great selection!! Thanks for the tip!!

    Reply
  29. Lisa says

    November 17, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Just did this today! My daughter loved it. Fun activity and one we'll do again!

    Reply
  30. Unknown says

    November 6, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Thanks for your great instructions for this simple activity!
    I linked back to your blog on my post and wanted to let you know 🙂

    You have a beautiful family and I have enjoyed my time visiting your blog. I will be back!

    Take care,
    Alex.

    Reply
  31. mmommo1 says

    December 15, 2016 at 12:02 am

    drooling over those leaves, I mean, gorgeous!

    Reply

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Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. 🍃
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! 🏡
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
🍃
As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
🍃
A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
🍃
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! ☀️
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
🍃
I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
🍃
Clip on bed lights save space. 
🍃
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
🍃
When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
🍃
All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. ☀️🌷🌱
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
☀️
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
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More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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