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
you'll need 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.
