How can I cover a box or a book cover in real leaves in a way that will be permanent?

Question

Do I use green or dried leaves? What can I do to keep them from breaking? I would prefer dried leaves for their color,,, but what would soften them? Lastly has anyone else done this? I would love to hear about your project!

Answer 1

My mom and I did something like this a LONG time ago.

They make something called modge podge that would work great. Paint your box with the modgepodge and then stick your leaves to it. Then paint over the top with a really thick coat of modge podge. Let dry for several days. You can get it in several different finishes. . . satin, gloss, glitter, etc. You get it with the glue in any craft store. It's a white jar with an orange and white label.

When mom and I did it we'd melt parafin wax on the stove and dip our leaves in them. We'd save them until Christmas and then hang them on the Christmas tree. Looking back, I realize mom couldn't afford ornaments and the wax was always left over from canning. . . . just her way of stretching pennies! Of course, I didn't know it at the time and it was always something I looked forward to every year.

Answer 2

That sounds really pretty. Use pressed leaves the same way you would paper. Cover them with decoupage medium or wallpaper paste and they should last a long time. If it's a book cover, make sure it's a book that doesn't get handled a lot.
.

Answer 3

see first u dry the leaves
then u do papier mache on the underside of the leaves(the side facin down)
papier mache means u put a layer of tissue papers dipped in 2 parts PVA glue & 1 part water.
this will make sure tht the base is strong and as the leaves are dried they will remain like tht
hope i helped ya!
cheers!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Laminate the leaves before you glue them. I think that there are also some epoxies that can preserve leaves...like the glue that they cover the 'sample dishes' in the windows of restaurants with .