Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Easy Art: Pressed Leaves


When we moved into our first house, I planted a teeny, tiny Orangeola Japanese Maple tree. It was just a twig with a few leaves because I couldn't justify the cost of a larger one. I have nurtured that little tree for 7 years and it was just starting to turn into a really beautiful little tree until the top of it was broken off by some careless neighbors during one of their late night parties. So sad!

When I discovered what had happened to my little tree, I was so grateful that I had collected a few leaves from it the week before.

Not only do I love art that brings nature inside, but I'm also sentimental. I knew that we would not live in this home forever and that I wouldn't be taking my sweet tree with me when we moved. So I decided to press the leaves and find a way to display them in my home.

The leaves were so beautiful that I decided to go simple. I picked up a couple of clear acrylic magnetic frames from my local craft store and and wallah, instant art.

These make me smile every time I see them on my shelf.

Have a Happy Day!

18 comments:

  1. MJ, Those are truly beautiful works of natural art! What a great idea! I love them! I'm glad you could preserve your tree for your memories!
    Carol from Carol's Jewelry Orchard

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  2. Those are beautiful! Really elegant.

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  3. These are stunning, they make me want to run out and buy some frames and start to press leaves and flowers.
    I have a small Japanese maple in my garden and I am very anxious about how it fared this winter. Last spring was warm and it leafed out too early but then there was a late terrible frost and all the new foliage was killed. It did leaf out a second time but I know that it was weakened by this ordeal. Then we had this hard winter of -18 degree nights. So I am waiting anxiously to see if it survived.

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  4. What a great idea! The leaves are beautiful.

    But I'll virtually slap your neighbors for you: *slap.*

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  5. Those are gorgeous! I might have to use this idea when I redecorate my bedroom. The winters are so long here, I really need to have green things inside the house.

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  6. A really lovely solution to a bad situation ... in this case the actions of some thoughtless neighbors had a silver lining!

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  7. oh wow i love them!!! fantastic job!!

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  8. Those are stunning....and so nice to have something from a previous home as a keepsake!

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  9. Gorgeous! I've gotta get myself some frames and start pressing!!! Thanks for sharing.
    ~Kim

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  10. I would have never thought of such a beautiful decorative piece! brilliant!

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  11. Look great and stunning!!! I wish have seen this before, because I lost a tree that I have for several years and I would love to have a remember of it.

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  12. Stunning! Gorgeous! Beautiful! All of the above! Seriously, love these. Nice job. :D

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  13. A beautiful way to display your memories.

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  14. very beautiful --i tried to plant a Japanese Maple years ago and didn't succeed;>( so i know they are wonderful.
    marilyn g
    cigarboxbeads
    suchandsort

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  15. What a beautiful work of art. those leaves are spectacular

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