Drying and pressing leaves »This is how it's done

Collect and press leaves

Choose trees and bushes whose leaves are particularly colored, for example blood maple, red beech, Rock pear or Witch hazel. Only collect leaves that are in perfect condition and without cracks, scuff marks, mold or fungus. Ideally, the leaves are dry, so get your leaves out of the garden or park when the weather is nice in autumn. There are two options for pressing the leaves:

• the professional plant press
• the "book press"

Press leaves with the plant press

You can buy a plant press in every handicraft shop, but you can also make it yourself from two wooden boards and an appropriate screw connection. In addition to the leaves, you will also need cardboard, press paper to absorb the sap and a pair of scissors.

1. Cut two pieces of cardboard and four sheets of press paper to the size of the plant press.
2. First place a piece of cardboard, then two layers of press paper and finally the sheets to be dried on the lower board of the press. Leave some space between the leaves.
3. Put two layers of press paper and finally the second cardboard on top of the sheets.
4. Now screw the second wooden board to the first, and the press is ready.

Now store the plant press for a few weeks (depending on the thickness of the leaves) in a dry place.

Pressing sheets of paper into books

Pressing pages in old books has certainly been tried out by everyone. In principle, the plants are dried in the same way as in a plant press. You will need several heavy books and press paper.

1. Open the book and put several layers of press paper in it.
2. Arrange the leaves on it, they should not touch.
3. Cover the sheets again with press paper and close the book.
4. So that the pressure is applied properly, stack several thick books on top of it.

Store the books in a dry place and after a few weeks your sheets will be completely dry. With them you can now realize beautiful decoration ideas.