Youth Gardening

Making Leaf Prints

Did you know that there are only 10 basic leaf shapes? The leaves on our many kinds of trees, although subtly different from each other, derive from these basic shapes. Plan to find out how leaves work for the tree and our environment. While you are learning about the workings of leaves, you might want to have fun doing so.

Gather leaves that are green and pliant such as a magnolia leaf. Try to gather different sizes and shapes.

Select the surface on which you want to print your leaf shape. It can be paper, cardboard, fabric, etc. Using leftover grocery bags you can make your own special book cover or wrapping paper for someone special; you might even be able to produce some note cards to give as a holiday gift.

Use fabric paint, which comes in many different colors and is readily available at craft stores.

Using a foam sponge paint brush, paint the underside of a leaf very thinly. Turn over the leaf over and place it on the surface of what you want to print. Cover leaf with a paper towel and roll over it several times with a rubber brayer or a rolling pin. Lift the paper towel and leaf very carefully. Let paint dry. Heat set print following the paint manufacturer's instructions.