Fall Crafting on Hallmark's Home and Family Show

Fall Crafting on Hallmark's Home and Family Show Maria Provenzano

I had a blast putting together a really fun fall segment for The Hallmark Channel's Home and Family Show. For the segment I showed how to preserve leaves, and some crafty ways to use them! (Preserving instructions below)

For the DIYs I placed the leaves, and some pictures, in really special shadow boxes to show how you can preserve memories as well! This allows you to be as creative as you like. I even put a family heirloom in one of them so I can display it. I am always to nervous to wear it, so this is a way for me to enjoy it without worrying about losing it.

I displayed a leaf bowl that I made by gluing fake leaves onto a balloon with mod podge, letting it dry, then popping the ballon. BOOM, a bowl!

I also simply glued the faux leaves (can also be done with the preserves real leaves) onto wood block letters.

In the background you and see that I glued leaves onto a wood block to make 3 large leaves.

If you want the glittered leaf look that is displayed on the wine bottles, simply apply a layer of mod podge onto the leaf, then cover with glitter, allow to dry, then apply another layer of mod podge, and allow to dry.

For the banner in the front of the table, I secured the leaved onto some twin with tiny clothes pins, and taped it onto the table.

AND FINALLY I stuffed some leaves and pumpkins into a vase, filled it with sticks, and tied a pretty bow around the top!

These are some fun ways to use fake and real leaves!

Fall Crafting on Hallmark's Home and Family Show

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succarra jewelry maria provenzano

I was so excited to wear a couple pieces from The Succarra Showroom by the amazing designer Margaret Elizabeth.

I wore this amazing BLACK ring, perfect for fall/winter, that I just love. The earrings are a giant clear crystal

Fall Crafting on Hallmark's Home and Family Show Succarra Jewelry Margaret Elizabeth

The dress is Topshop; link here 

http://www.succarra.com

At the close of the show with my loves!

Fall Crafting on Hallmark's Home and Family Show

If this pictures doesn't sum it up, I don't know what does! I love it!

Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare welcome actress Melissa Joan Hart from the movie “God’s Not Dead 2.” Chef Valerie Gordon is making a delicious chocolate bread pudding for National Chocolate Day. Dr. Renee Dua and her husband Nick Desai, are here to discuss their app-based service, HEAL, which promises to deliver a doctor to your door in under 60 minutes. What does your fashion say about you? Kym Douglas and Dan Kohler are breaking down the psychology of color. Get into the feel of fall with Maria Provenzano’s DIY leaf preservation shadow boxes. Debbie Matenopoulos looks back on her daughter Alexandra’s first year. For Halloween, Tanya Memme is making DIY spooky cloths. Plus, Mark and Cristina answer viewer questions. Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: jeremy lee/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC

How to Dry and Preserve Leaves

Three ways to preserve leaves:

*Pressing leaves

*Soaking in Glycerin and Water

*Coating with Mod Podge

Pressing leaves:

Leaves

Large book or similar pressing tool

Rubber bands; optional

*Place the leaves in a book to flatten; they will release moisture, so if you want to keep the book looking nice, place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper, then place inside the pages of a book

*Use rubber bands to keep the book closed

*Leave as is, or apply more weight to the book

*Allow to dry for a few days; drying time with vary depending on how fresh the leaves were before drying

Soaking leaves in Glycerin

Glycerin; can be found at the drugstore

Water

Plastic Container

*Fill the plastic container with 1 part glycerin and 2 parts water, and mix together

*Place the dry/flattened leaves in the mixture, and submerge into the liquid

*Make sure the leaves are completely submerged; you can place another plastic container over the leaves to help push them down

*Keep the leaves submerged in the mixture for 2-5 days

*Remove the leaves from the mixture, and gently dry with a paper towel; the leaves should feel soft and pliable

Coating Leaves in Mod Podge

Leaves

Mod Podge

Foam Paint brush

Wax paper

*Dry and flatten the leaves using the book technique

*Apply a thin layer of mod podge to one side of the leaf using the foam paint brush

*Set on a sheet of wax paper and allow to dry

*Repeat on the other side, and allow to dry

*The leaves will be shiny, and more pliable