Recipe for making fossil leaves

Autumn is a time for falling leaves, and what better way to preserve the beauty of fall foliage than by making fossil leaves? This is a fun project for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to create unique and interesting decor for your home. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Leaves from your favorite tree or bush
A plant press
A sheet of heavy duty cardboard
A thin layer of clay
A paintbrush
A container of water

To begin, gather your leaves and arrange them how you want them to appear on your final product. If you’re using a plant press, lay out the leaves on the cardboard and then cover with another sheet of cardboard. Place the plant press on top and screw it tight. If you’re not using a plant press, simply place the leaves between the two pieces of cardboard and weight them down with something heavy like a book.

Next, dampen the clay with water and spread it over the leaves, covering them completely. Be sure to smooth out any air bubbles. Allow the clay to air dry for 24 hours.

Once the clay is dry, gently peel it away from the cardboard (it should come off easily). You may need to use a thin, blunt knife to help loosen the clay if it’s sticking in any spots. Now you can paint your fossil leaves any color you like!

These make great decorations for tabletops, mantlepieces, or even framed and hung on the wall