When I was a child, I used to make bookmarks with skeleton leaves. I took the fresh leaves and pressed them in a thick book and waited for them to dry. It usually took more than three weeks for the pulp to completely dry out. Here is a faster and easier way to make beautiful skeleton leaves. You can use any kind of leaf you like. Delicate skeleton leaves make wonderful accents to your favors. You can use them for gift wrapping, cards, bookmarks, crafts and decoration. Let’s get started!
You will need:
- Leaves (preferably waxy leaves);
- Washing soda;
- Water;
- Brush;
- Food dye;
- Paper towel;
- Gloves.
Instructions:
- Find your favorite leaves.
- Dissolve 3/4 cup of washing soda in 4 cups of water in a pot.
- Place the leaves in the solution and bring the water to a boil.
- Allow the pot to simmer until the leaves are softened. Depending on the thickness of the leaves, this process may take 1 to 3 hours.
- Remove the leaves and rinse them in clean water.
- Wear your gloves and use a brush to gently rub away the leaf pulp.
- Soak the skeletonized leaves in fresh water, remove and let it dry.
- Dye the leaves with food coloring.
- If you want a white skeleton leaf, soak the leaf in a solution of 50 ml of bleach and 1 cup of water until it turns white. Remove it, rinse with water and let it dry completely.
Suggestion: Different leaves require different combination of soda and water. You might have to experiment a few times to get the best result for the leaves that you have.
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