This is the third post in my series on making colorful autumn leaves from book pages. The directions for crafting a birch leaf follows. I am calling this a birch leaf although there are many leaves that have the pointed almond shape. I probably should have started with this leaf because it is by far the easiest, but it is also the plainest. Its shape is simple but I found the collections of leaves needed the birch leaf. It turns bright yellow and the russet oak and red maples needed the yellow to enhance the arrangement. Check out my previous posts for additional display options here, maple patterns here and oak leaves here.
Tutorial:
Supplies needed:
- Old Book - not too old - Avoid ones with brittle pages
- Cutting blade- Exacto
- Cutting mat
- Metal ruler
- Paper glue- I used Elmer's Craft Bond Memory Book Glue Pen (Wet)
- Paper Clips
- Scissors
- Spray paint in fall birch colors - yellow, brown and green
Steps:
- Cut the about 5 pages from the old book.
- Using the cutting tool and the metal ruler cut the pages into strips vertically 5/8" wide.
- Cut the strips into the following lengths. You will need this many for each leaf. I cut a stack of each size.
2 - 5 1/2"
1 - 4 1/2"
2 - 3 1/2"
- The individual steps for assembling these strips follow but here is an illustration showing the assembly order.
- After cutting the strips, I arranged them in the order listed in the diagram.
- I then curled each of the strips slightly by pulling it over the edge of my work surface. I did not curl the tallest, center piece.
- It was helpful to line up the pieces in order. Notice, the curls go in opposite directions on each side of the long center stem.
- Fold back 1/4" on one end of the 2 shortest (3.5") strips.
- Glue the bottom edge of all 5 together in a stack in the order shown above and in the diagram. Pay attention to the direction of the curves.
- I used a glue that took about 15 minutes to dry. I could then reposition strips as I needed. I tried it with my adhesive strip dispenser but that didn't allow me enough flexibility. I found that Elmer's Craft Bond Wet Memory Book Glue Pen worked well.
- Paper clip the stack together to hold it in place while it dries and you continue working.
- Next glue the top end of the 2 - 5.5" out strips and the 1 - 4.5 center strip. Do not glue in the 3.5 inch strips with bend yet.
- Last glue step is to glue the 2 inner veins (3.5" pieces with bends) to the sides. Add glue to the small portion your previously bent over and clip it to the outer edge.
- Start another leaf as this one dries. You will want a collection to decorate with.
- Once dry, remove the paper clips.
- Using scissors you can clip the tips of each point to soften the points. (Optional)
- Set-up a spray painting area in a well ventilated location.
- Collect spray paint in fall colors. For the birch leaves I used a yellow base. I then added touches of brown for older leaves, and touches of green for those just starting to turn. The variety works well in arrangements with other leaves.
- Spray lightly and from different directions. Do not cover the paper. You want the lettering on the old book page to show through.
If you haven't already started making maple and oak leaves to go with the birch leaves, follow the links below for directions for the different shapes. Have fun and send me pictures of your creations!
Previous Posts of Interest
- Book Page Maple Leave • DIY
- Book Page Oak Leaves • DIY
- Book Page Autumn Leaves
- Thinking Leaves Again
- Fall Leaves Indoors
- Fabric Pumpkins
©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy
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