If you’re looking for a really easy, fun and inexpensive way to bring some autumn decor into your home, this is for you!
All it takes is a string of fairy lights (you can pick these up in pound shops / dollar stores) a collection of beautiful fall leaves, waxed paper and some Uhu glue…
These lights look great in the day as well as the evenings. The light that comes through the leaves creates the most beautiful colours and glow :-)
I had some help collecting my leaves from my dog Molly. Every time I picked up a leaf I liked the look of she took it in her mouth and ran away with it. Very helpful indeed…
DIY Autumn Leaf Fairy Lights
Bring an warm autumn glow indoors…
You will need…
- A collection of fall leaves
- Wax paper
- An iron
- Uhu glue
- String fairy lights
Instructions:
- To preserve the leaves, there are a few different methods you can use… Unsurprisingly, I’ve chosen the quickest and easiest method which involves sandwiching each leaf between two sheets of wax paper and ironing for a few seconds until the leaves have been sufficiently coated.
- Once the leaves have been prepared, use the Uhu glue (or some kind of strong adhesive) to attach the leaves in front of each light bulb.
- Hang on your bannister, inside your window, in front of your mirror or display in a clear vase!
Claire says
A lovely idea. Could you use artificial leaves though instead as a safer alternative I wonder?
Lizzy says
I think these look beautiful, but could the wax be flammable if the bulbs get hot?
Maya M says
Tried this superb DIY, and because it’s so awesome, we featured it in an article! I hope you don’t mind!
Debbie says
This is lovely! I do have some faux leaves, so I’ll try with them and see how I get on.
Kathleen says
Love, love, LOVE this idea. Question though: do you think it would be as effective to use faux leaves instead of real ones? Or would they not be as translucent? I’d love to have the project last more than one season, and I want to start at the beginning of fall (leaves don’t change in GA until early October) so I can have it all season.
Aimee says
I honestly have no idea, sorry! But please let me know how you get on :-)
Deanna Elle says
Hello from Oregon~ You are very talented! I took a look at some of your own DIY greeting cards and I say they look professional! I copied your pressed leaf project and will do it with my granddaughter. Thanks so much! Dee
amy says
Lovely idea! Just be sure to use LED fairy lights and not the type of lights with any kind of terminal (a push-in point for a bulb) and you will be fine!
Wendy says
I have a King Charles Cavalier too. His name is Simon.
Dawn G says
LOVE your idea and the easy process (sans helpful dog … i have two that would do that!) Dumb question … but would these only last one season, or do you think if stored nicely they’d still be ok in a year ..? Ok if not, just wondering.
Aimee says
Hi Dawn, thank you for your comment! I honestly don’t know how well it would last. I’d like to say yes but it would have to be a case of wait and see. Let me know how you get on!
Laurence says
Love these ideas, especially the fairy lights! Cheers for a great season.
Lizzy says
I love the way this looks. But do you think it might be a fire hazard?
Aimee says
So sorry for the late response Lizzy, I missed your question. I think with any fairy lights, they shouldn’t be left unattended but don’t pose any serious fire risk. Let me know if you try them out!
Jessica Edmunds says
What an amazing idea, I have bookmarked this and am going to try it this week for a change, thanks hun xx
holly ; the hobbit kitchen says
What I love most about this Aimee is that it sounds so simple and obvious when you explain it, but I never would have thought of it myself! Such a lovely autumnal idea :) and I’m just gonna go ahead and echo what everyone else has said – more Molly!!
the hobbit kitchen x
Hannah @ Hannah Bakes Things says
this is just the cutest thing! I actually had no idea you could preserve leaves like this, it’s such a beautiful way to celebrate the season and bring some colour inside.
Hannah
http://www.hannahbakesthings.co.uk
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Very effective and beautifully creative Aimee. The leaves this year seem to have surpassed all colourful expectation!
Elizabeth says
So pretty! I would love to do something like this for our house – alas, no leaves (and no wax paper!)
Dee says
So simple and effective… I’m really excited to give this a try! And yes, very dear dog
[email protected] says
This is absolutely adorable, they are like fairy lights! I want you to be my decorator, 24/7! Your dog is so cute, I’d love to see more pictures of Molly!