A new leaf

Autumn is here and many of our trees are turning to red, yellow and gold.

Autumnal leaves make a glorious resource for children's art and craft. Make a change from the old favourites such as rubbings, prints and spray stencils, by using the leaves to create decorative hangings, pretty bookmarks or an unusual form of decoupage.

LEAF BOOKMARKS

As well as showing off their shapes and colours, the technique for making these bookmarks protects the delicate surface of the leaves.

You will need:

small autumn leaves (choose brightly coloured leaves with interesting shapes such as acers and small oak or maple leaves); a flower press or blotting paper and heavy books; white tissue or thin handmade paper such as mulberry paper (available from art and craft shops); coloured card; PVA glue, water and pot for mixing; soft flat brush; hole punch; ribbon

What to do:

Press the leaves in a flower press or between sheets of blotting paper in a heavy book. When they are ready, choose a complementary colour of card to set them off - bright autumn colours look pretty against pale green or pink, or you could go for a vibrant effect with primary colours such as red, yellow or blue. Cut the card into a panel-shaped bookmark and arrange the leaves along the panel, sticking down each leaf with PVA glue. Mix up a glue solution (one part glue to one part water) and carefully brush a thin layer of it across the leaves. Lay a strip of white tissue or mulberry paper over the leaves and brush another layer of glue solution across the tissue, making sure that every part of the tissue surface is soaked with glue. As the glue dries, the colours and shapes of the leaves will gradually start to show through. When the leaf panel is completely dry, mount it on a second strip of card, punch a hole in the bottom of the strip and thread through a decorative ribbon to make a bookmark.

* Tip: Once the glue on the leaf panel is no longer sticky, slip it between two sheets of paper and put it in a heavy book to flatten out. Keep checking to make sure that it has not stuck to the paper!

DECOUPAGE BOXES

This variation on Victorian decoupage uses PVA glue as a glaze to protect the leaves and add a glow to their beautiful autumnal colours.

You will need:

lots of pressed autumn leaves; a small, sturdy lidded box; PVA glue; a wide, soft brush

What to do:

Glue the leaves on to the box so that they overlap and cover every part of the surface. Encourage older children to look at the shapes and colours of their leaves and make a pattern. When the box has been covered, brush a thick layer of neat PVA glue across the surface of the leaves. If necessary, reassure the children that the glue will dry clear! When the glue has dried, you can add another layer if you feel the leaves need more protection. The technique can be used for decorating anything made from sturdy card - try picture frames, card plaques to hang on the wall, notebook covers, folders, pencil boxes, greetings cards and gift labels.

* Tip: This technique works best with thin leaves that press completely flat. Stiffer ones sometimes wrinkle around the edges. Use small leaves if you are decorating a small surface and larger leaves for a bigger area.

LEAF HANGINGS

Large pressed leaves can be used as a canvas for paint, glitter glue and other decorative embellishments.

You will need:

large, tough leaves; items for leaf pressing (see Leaf Bookmarks, above); ready-mixed paint; small items for printing with, such as the flat end of a pencil, small card shapes glued on to a block or potato cuts; glitter glue; sequins; small gems (optional); card; PVA glue; hole punch; ribbon

What to do:

Press the leaves until they are flat and bone-dry. Decorate the surface of the leaves with small paint prints, blobs of glitter glue, sequins and any other light decorative items that the children wish to use. Encourage them to print on to the leaf rather than paint (unless you have an older child who is a dab hand with a paint brush, printing is easier to manage on a small surface). When the paint and glue have dried, stick the leaves on to large circles of card. Punch a hole in the top and bottom of each circle and tie them together with ribbon to make a decorative, autumnal wall hanging.

* Tip: Check that a pressed leaf is bone-dry and ready to use by holding it against your cheek. If it still feels slightly cool and damp, leave it to press for a little longer.