drying leaves

Hiya all,
Can anyone tell me how i can use dry leaves-I have gathered a pile and am
drying them on the windowsil. This is where i get stuck-the leaves dry out
and crumble when i try to use them! Is there anything i could rub on them to
make them remain pliable.??
Thanks for any info
Karen

In article ,
says...

Is there anything i could rub on them to
make them remain pliable.??

I honestly don't know, but you might try dipping
them in clear acrylic medium (or varnish). I'm
also intriqued by "crazy glue" formulas that some
woodworkers use to impregnate wood with before
turning it on a lathe, thereby rendering it so
rigid it can be carved paper thin. That might
work for other organic matter as well.

Semi Anne wrote:
In article ,
says...


Is there anything i could rub on them to
make them remain pliable.??


I honestly don't know, but you might try dipping
them in clear acrylic medium (or varnish). I'm
also intriqued by "crazy glue" formulas that some
woodworkers use to impregnate wood with before
turning it on a lathe, thereby rendering it so
rigid it can be carved paper thin. That might
work for other organic matter as well.

Leaves can be dried to a pliable (although not permanent) texture by
using glycerine (available in the first aid/pharmacy section of most
supermarkets), as follows:

Mix two parts water with one part glycerine. Split the stem ends of the
leaves (or a small branch of leaves) so they'll absorb the solution, and
stand them in a container holding 3-4 inches of solution for two or
three weeks.

The colors will not remain as vivid as they are in the fall, but the
leaves will be pliable.

You can preserve the colors and protect the leaves from crumbling by
placing them between two sheets of waxed paper and ironing until the wax
melts enough to adhere the leaves and paper together and the paper
itself turns translucent. If you like, carefully cut out the
paper-covered leaf shapes.

--
Pat

Pat Kight wrote:

Mix two parts water with one part glycerine.

Sorry, that should have specified *hot* water.

--
Pat Kight