Simple Crafts for Kids: Autumn Leaf Candle Holder and Leaf Printing
Let’s be real, if its not already in my house, or its too expensive, chances are I’m not going to make the craft I saw in that one video that one time. I just spent an inexcusable amount of money on kid and adult Halloween costumes we are wearing ONCE, I am buying and cooking enough food to feed a small army for a day in a few weeks, and then I’ll remember that I have to buy a bunch of presents since I forgot what day Christmas was on this year. I’m quickly running out of time, money, and patience. I only have enough wherewithal to stand a few simple crafts.
Here are two simple crafts that, if you live in a place where the leaves change, the main material is completely free!
Leaf Candle Holder
We are making a festive fall candle holder for the wonky candles you made with your kids at that fall farm apple picking festival that doesn’t have a flat bottom and just won’t stand on its own. Or, you know, actual candles or tea lights you bought from the store. Some fresh or faux leaves, glass jar, and some Modge Podge is all you need!
Materials
Cleaned out glass jar/mason jar
Fallen leaves or plastic leaves
Modge Podge
Paintbrush
Optional supplies:
Ribbon
Glitter
Instructions
Choose a clean glass jar like a spaghetti jar, mason jar, or in our case a Furikake seasoning jar (Furikake is a Japanese salty seaweed seasoning usually put on cooked rice – super yum! They are small, glass, and perfect for our project – also make nice drinking glasses for the kids)
Simply paint the underside of the leaf you want to use with Modge Podge and adhere it to the side of the jar. Repeat with several leaves to get good coverage.
Do a final layer of Modge Podge as a top layer for all the leaves.
If you want to add some sparkle, mix a few spoonful’s of Modge Podge with a little bit of glitter (let’s not over do it shall we? – that stuff gets everywhere) and then apply your topcoat.
Let the Modge Podge dry entirely. Add a finishing touch with some ribbon and a bow, and voila! A nice addition to the dinner table, or to enhance your fall décor!
Leaf Printing
The concept of this decoration is simple and can be used for a single piece of art, or for decoration on place cards, borders, or a disposable paper table cloth for your holiday get together. Use the same technique you used to glue the leaves on your Autumn Candle Holder but with acrylic or washable paints!
This can get fairly messy, so cover your working surface well – I’m using my Luvabu splat mat!
Materials
Leaves – from the ground or fake from the store
Various acrylic paint colors
Paint brushes and/or small paint roller (check out your dollar store!)
Paper (or card, border, tablecloth you plan on decorating)
Instructions
Use a paint brush or a roller to paint the leaves and carefully place them face down on whichever surface you’re decorating and press firmly to catch the print of the leaf. Slowly lift the leaf from the paper and voila! A simple leaf print! Repeat with various colors until you are satisfied!
Show us your crafts! Take a pic and tag us @luvabubaby on Instagram and Facebook!
Read More
The Kondo Kraze is on the rise. Thrift stores everywhere have been seeing an influx of donated goods with reasons pointing to the newest Netflix series “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” which teaches those who can’t keep an orderly home to declutter by keeping only items that “Spark Joy”. Is this a realistic lifestyle for those of us with kids in the house? I figured I might as well try to Kondo the kids rooms.