Fall Leaf Vases

I'm sure most of you have old vases or even mason jars just laying around your house, all covered in dust, doing nothing. Well don't get rid of them! I have the perfect fun fall project for you to add some color to your home! Try these easy Mod Podge leaf vases!
Side Note: If you don't have Mod Podge, mix a little bit of water with some Elmer's Glue, it works just the same. See here for directions on to make it: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Mod-Podge

What you'll need:
Vases or mason jars (as many as you'd like)
Mod Podge
Sponge brush or paint brush
Leaves (real or fake)

Start with finding as many old vases or mason jars as you can around your house. If you'd like, you can even go to your nearest dollar store or craft store and find a few if you don't have any. If you are using silk leaves, make sure to de-stem them. Also, if you do not have any leaves, its a fun idea to even use tissue paper.

*Tip: Make sure you complete this project on a clean surface, but one that is not afraid of getting some glue on it; this can get a bit messy*


If the snow hasn't flown yet, you can go outside and pick a few leaves off the ground. Preferably ones with a little color, and ones that are not broken but still have their full leaf shape and form.

Because we are late into the fall season, the leaves are going to be a little crunchy and fragile, so it will be hard to glue them to the jar. Run them under some warm water to soften them so they are flexible enough to wrap around the jar. This makes it easier to glue; they don't snap and fall apart on you. Let them air dry, but not too much; you want them damp, not dry.

On a newspapered surface, take your Mod Podge and leaves and sit down with your vases and/or jars, first you're going to want to layer a heavy amount of glue on one section of your vase or jar, the size of one of your leaves. Place one leaf on the glue, and immediately brush another layer of glue on top of that leaf, and try your hardest to lay down the edges. It can be difficult at times, just have some patience. And sometimes they will just not lay down, it's okay--a natural look will be interesting!

It is up to you whether or not you want to cover the whole vase or not with your leaves. I believe it looks better with some of the glass showing through, but do make sure you cover the whole thing with Mod Podge so it gives the vase a matte finish when it dries and a nice glow tint when you put a candle in it.

Last but not least, let it dry! This will be your finished product, and if you'd like, you can wrap some twine around the top to give it a rustic look. It gives your home a fall look too. It definitely adds color! So when you're cleaning your house and stumble across a bunch of old vases or mason jars, don't get rid of them, have a little fun and put them to good use!