Fall Fun: Traced Leaves- Bookmark

Our traced feather bookmarks was one of our reader favourites.  Thank you!  We took that idea for further inspiration for a few fall foliage ideas.

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow!  Check them out for more Fall inspired activities:

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/09/leaf-tracing-bookmarks.html

Materials

* If you don’t want to use real leaves for the projects draw some from your imagination or use craft leaves as tracers.*

• Leaves
• Pencil & Eraser
• Metallic permanent markers (or you could use metallic crayons or pastels)
• Watercolours (we used diluted liquid watercolours)
• Paintbrushes
• Cardstock or watercolour paper
• Scissors/ Ruler or paper cutter
• Laminating supplies or contact paper (optional)
• Single hole punch
• Ribbon, cord or twine
• Coordinating paper
• Glue stick

Directions

• Go on a nature walk and collect several different types of leaves.

• Trace your leaves lightly onto watercolour paper or cardstock with a pencil.

• Go over your lines with metallic permanent markers.  (We found the Sharpie brand worked best, as they don’t bleed.)

• Allow to dry and lightly erase the pencil marks.

• Paint your leaves with watercolour paints.

• Allow to dry overnight.

• Cut out your bookmark (approximately 2-3 inches/ 5-7.5 centimetres in width and 10-15 centimetres/4-6 inches in length).  We used a paper cutter.  We then glued our bookmark onto a coordinating colour of paper to back it and cut it out again, creating a border.

• Punch a hole in one end.

• Laminate or sandwich in between two layers of contact paper (with the sticky sides facing each other).

• Re-punch your hole.

• Cut a length of ribbon, cord or twine and make a loop as shown in the photograph.  Put the ends up through the hole you punched in your bookmark and go through the loop you made on the top.  Pull tight.

•  Enjoy cuddling up with a book, a cup of hot chocolate and your leaf inspired bookmark!

Purpose

• Getting out into nature
• Using nature as inspiration for creating

Safety Notes

• Wear a smock and use a craft tray to prevent damaging clothes and/or surfaces.
• Laminators are for adult use.
• Review safe use of paper cutters with children and provide direct supervision/guidance.  You may decide this step is for an adult only or based on your child’s age and abilities, teach them how to use it safely.