BHG.com  ∕  Preserving Leaves for Crafts
share
Search BHG.com Videos

Preserving Leaves for Crafts

Wish you could keep the fabulous flashes of fall color around a little longer? Use this easy technique to preserve fall leaves for crafts.

Related Videos

-

 Transcript

" Hi! I'm Justin Hancock. We're having a great fall here in the Better Homes and Gardens test garden and I have a tip for you to preserve fall color for your garden decorating projects. You can take branches of your favorite fall leaves; like here, we have a maple, and insert them into a glycerin solution. To do it, make a solution of 2 parts water and 1 part glycerin. Glycerin is a product you should be able to find at your local craft store. We have 2 spoonfuls of water here. I'm going to add 1 teaspoon of glycerin here and mix it all up. To help your branches absorb it best, make a fresh cut at the bottom of the stem and then just drop it in. It's that simple. All you have to do is wait for a couple of weeks. If you wanna preserve for an extra pop of colors individual leaves, you can do the same thing. Just insert your leaves into the glycerin solution and let them wait. If you wanna add even more color to your leaves, throw in a couple of drops of food coloring. The red food coloring will be absorbed by the stems into the leaves giving them even more vibrant color. I'm Justin Hancock and that's your test garden tip."

More Video

Get Organized with Labels

Get Organized with Labels

Get organized by labeling baskets, bins, and shelves with style. The secret? Check out crafts stores for inexpensive stickers, mini chalkboards, ribbons, and scrapbooking letters.

Fri, 25 Sep 2009|More from Home & Garden

3-in-1 Mudroom

3-in-1 Mudroom

Store and organize your family and pet gear in a stylish mudroom that combines clever storage solutions with a laundry center and home office.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009|More from Home & Garden
|cabinetsfound at0:28, 1:32

Just like you, a mudroom wears many hats every single day. Hi, I'm Jill Waage with Storage Magazine. Think about it. Just one tiny space need to welcome family and guests, gather shoes, bags and coats, hide away and organize cleaning supplies, and encourage good communication and extensive connections. Located right inside the door, this section of built-in cabinets provides a home for coats, shoes and bags, and keep these items off the naturally textured porcelain tile floor. A long locker style area outfitted with hooks can hold multiple coats. Wire baskets in the nearby cells coralled nearby functions. And this clever bench rolls out so you can comfortably put on a pair of shoes conveniently stored in the cubbies below. Amazingly, this mudroom packs in even more functions by including a hardworking laundry center behind a pretty curtain. The stacked washer and dryer is complemented
On the opposite side, a communications station is flanked by 2 slender cabinets that holds cleaning supplies. A slim cabinet is ideal for storing tall cleaning tools. Further maximize the cabinet's storage potential by attaching additional holders and hooks to the inside of the cabinet, and shallow shelves to the inside of the
Closet for Two

Closet for Two

See how to outfit a bedroom closet with all the right features to store shoes and clothes for two. Better yet? You can buy all the easy-to-intall components at a home center.

Fri, 28 Aug 2009|More from Home & Garden
|storage spacefound at2:31

it's what's on the inside that really counts. We've outfitted 1 basic closet to meet the needs of 2 on-the-go individuals. Instead of 2 hanging bars to organize his wardrobe of shirts and pants, we started with 1 bar, and then rolled in a versatile trouser trolley for his slacks, khakis, and jeans. Neckties hang from the wire insert. Folded sweaters stay fresh by placing them in top of a specially-sized sueder palette. Again, this drawer is hooked on to vertical braces just like hanging bars or shelves. And with the addition of inexpensive canvas bins, these drawers are ideal for organizing folded garments like t-shirts, underwear, socks, and accessories. A low-angled shelf makes it easy to pick out the right pair of shoes, while acrylic boxes protects favorite footwear. Just press down on the tab to open. First side of the closet also features wall-mounted drawers for folded garments. Using solid-framed drawers means she could have a small vanity area. It's perfect for trying on jewelry and other finishing touches. In addition to more cubbies to put all of her footwear, her side also includes acrylic shoe boxes, but these are sized for her shoes, and even include a special slot for extra high heels. And rather than sacrificing limited space inside the closet to long-hanging garments, an over-the-door rack holds her favorite dresses and long coats. 2 people sharing 1 small space requires clever strategies to keep both parties happy. In this closet , vertical dividers keep garments organized by types and by person. To gather laundry for 2 people, place a hamper in an accessible spot. This door-mounted canvas bin is a great way to squeeze in a hamper when floor space is limited. Make the most of upper shelves in a shared closet by labeling the bottoms of the containers so they are easier to read, and by including a step stool so everyone can easily get purses, extra beddings, or off-season clothing. Sharing a closet requires some creativity, but with a little planning and some great storage add-ons, you can transform an ordinary closet into a smart storage space for 2. For Better Homes and Gardens, I'm Jill Waage.
ADVERTISEMENT
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service.