Using Colorful Leaves and Mod Podge to Make a Fall Wreath

I love wheat!  I love oats! and I LOVE fall leaves!  Using all three, I just finished this fall wreath for my front door.  I don't pretend to be a wreath artist!  But I am happy with the way this turned out.

What I really love about it is that since I sealed all the dried leaves in Mod Podge, they will not wither away in a week or so - which is exactly what would happen if I used "fresh" fall leaves.  I just am not willing to put a lot of work into projects that have very short life spans!!

The wreath is very simple to make - here's how.

Trays of dried, pressed leaves - some just freshly covered in Mod Podge, some nearly dry. I used about 4 dozen leaves for this project.

1. Apply two generous coats of Outdoor Mod Podge to each side and the stems of your dried, pressed leaves.  Let dry completely between coats.  A final coat of acrylic spray wouldn't hurt!

I am reccommending Outdoor Mod Podge for this project to give it protection against humidity.  Even under cover of a porch, humidity can seep in and soften your leaves so that they become limp. However, if you are using you wreath indoors or live in a dry climate, regular Mod Podge with an acrylic over-spray will work fine.

If you have trouble finding Outdoor Mod Podge, you can order it on-line here and here.  Thank you Amy, (Mod Podge Rocks) for providing these on-line links.

Hints:  Line your drying trays with wax paper.  When your leaves are dry, pull them gently to release them from the paper. 

While brushing on the Mod Podge,  I hold the leaves in my open hand.  I keep a damp towel near to wipe my hand between leaves. Refer to this post to see how.

Sparkly hint:  Sprinkle diamond dust or crystal glitter on the top of the leaves just after you apply the second coat of Mod Podge to the top surface.  When dry, the leaves will look like they are covered with frost crystals! Quite pretty.

2.  I used a straw wreath for my base.  Once I removed the plastic wrapping, I twisted the wrap into a "rope", tied the ends together to form a circle, and then looped the "rope" around the wreath and through itself to create a hanger.

3. Attach groups of wheat stalks first with hot glue.

4. Then wrap each group once or twice with 6 lb. monofilament fishing line.  (It is invisible!)

5.  Continue gluing and tying groups of wheat stalks adding wheat to both the inside and outside as shown. The front surface is left open for the leaves and oats!

6.  Add the oat stalks in the same way.

7.  Pull three leaves together into a bundle with waxed dental floss. No knot required!

8.  Attach each group of leaves with a bit of hot glue right near the base of the leaves.  Sometimes I use a tiny bit of glue to hold a leaf in place where I want it.

Add your own embellishments!  A small scarecrow, or tiny gourds, a stuffed owl, even a little ghost or a bat! 

The best part is that sealing the leaves with Outdoor Mod Podge allows you to keep your wreath for next year. Your leaves will not dry out or absorb too much moisture.  Thanks to Mod Podge, all your time and effort isn't spent on a project that will dry up and crumble away in a couple weeks.

AND! ONE MORE REALLY COOL THING!   Amy, at Mod Podge Rocks, has another give-away going on right now!   Check out the details here.  You could win a copy of Rosie O'Donnell's new book "Crafty U" - featuring 100 easy projects for the whole family.

Hurry over there - the contest ends Saturday, October 17th at mid-night.

Good luck!