Category: Easy Projects

DIY are a great way to repurpose items which are no longer in active use. DIY projects are economical and also give a sense of accomplishment and content for the creator .

 

  • How To Draw on Real Leaves – FAQs & Tips

    Leaf Art- An Introduction

    Greenery has a calming effect on humans and so does creative activity like drawing or simple doodling. Leaf art is a fun activity that combines both of these. To top it all, drawing and painting which involve real leaves fascinate adults and kids alike, adults find it therapeutic and kids find the whole process as is, easy and fun.

    Leaf art basically covers two different kinds of activities, either you draw on leaves or use leaves of various shapes to make prints on paper. Today we are talking about the first one, drawing on leaves.

    Leaf art with simple doodles

    Drawing on leaves – FAQs

    I have been doodling simple patterns on leaves for almost a year now and every time I share them on social media, I find myself answering a couple of basic questions repetitively which led me to today’s post. I decided to compile these questions to offer a quick read in case you want to draw on real leaves.

    • Q- What kind of leaves to choose from?

    • Answer –
    1. I generally pick mature, vibrant coloured leaves which have recently fallen on the ground. I avoid leaves showing signs of decay or the ones which are covered in dirt.
    2. You can also pluck the mature leaves although I prefer to use the fallen ones.
    3. Pick broad, thick leaves for the ease of drawing.
    4. If you are new to this, collect an assortment of shapes and colours. Some colours and shapes look nice when fresh but not too great once they have been drawn and dried.
    Leaves in different shape, size, colour.

    Tip –

    1. Collect twice as many leaves as you finally plan on having as there is a great chance that some will get spoilt in the process of pressing and some during the drawing.
    2. Take as per your need – The leaves I don’t end up using, I generally put them back with the rest of the garden waste.

    • Q- What comes first – Drawing on leaves Or Drying the leaves?

    • Answer –
    1. Both of the above options are pretty common. You can draw directly on freshly picked leaves and then press the leaves. Alternatively, you can press the leaves and then draw on dried leaves.
    2. If you dry the leaves first you already discard the ones which go bad and pick the best ones based on the final colour of the dried leaves. Con, dried leaves are very delicate and brittle. You have to be very careful while drawing on them and it almost takes away the fun. The pen doesn’t glide smoothly and there is a very high chance that you might damage the leaf while drawing on it.
    3. If you draw on leaves first then the pen moves really smooth, it is very easy and fun to draw on soft leaves. Con, the colours never look the same once you press the leaves dry. The dried leaves look dull and the colours almost always turn muddy. At times I have picked coloured pens for doodling which look great on fresh leaves but once the leaves dried the colour lost its appeal and ended up looking like a mess. I will talk more about inks in the next point.
      Left side- Already flat, pressed leaves. Right side – Soft, Freshly fallen leaves

       

    • Q- How to prep the leaves for drawing?

    • Answer –
    1. I clean the leaves gently but really well. First with a dry cloth then with a slightly damp cloth.
    2. After cleaning, I let the leaves air – dry naturally before I start to draw on leaves.
    3. I also clean the stem attached to the leaves. I usually discard the ones I am unable to fully clean.
    Clean the leaves really well

    Tip –

    1. Don’t think twice before removing the leaves showing any sign of decay or feel muddy. They almost always catch mould on pressing.

    • Q- What kind of pens are used for drawing on real leaves?

    • Answer –
    1. I have used a couple of different pens for drawing on leaves, Regular blue-black ink, metallic colours, Sharpie pens, paint markers, gel pens etc. You can even use acrylic colours.
    2. Sharp metal tips tend to damage the soft surface of leaves while drawing, I prefer pens with roller or fiber tips.
    3. On leaves which are shades of yellow, I prefer to use white pens.
    4. White pens and Metallic pens, gold and silver are the go-to choices if you can’t choose which colours will look good.
    Note – For drawing on leaves find a bunch of pens here, the full supply list is at the end of the blog. 

     

    Have fun while picking Leaf art patterns

    Tip –

    1. Yellow and brown colours look pretty nice after drying; green has a greater chance of losing its vibrancy.
    2. Make sure the ink is fully dry before you press the leaves to dry.

    • Q- What about the patterns for drawing on leaves?

    • Answer –
    1. The choice of patterns totally depends on the individual.
    2. You can pick simple patterns like stars, tiny flowers, swirls, lines or dots or make a complex drawing or patterns.
    3. Simple patterns let you show the natural colours of the leaf.
    Simple doodle patterns for leaf art

    Bonus Question

    • How do I use this leaf art?

    • Now that you have a fun-filled session of drawing on leaves and you have even successfully dried these beautiful leaves it’s time to put them to display.
    1. Wall art – Frame these painted leaves and display them on your wall
    Framed Leaf Art
    1. Handmade card– You can put these leaves on plain cards with a note inside and make personalised cards for gifting to your loved ones.
    2. Decor piece – You can string the leaves in a garland and use it as a decor element in your house.
    Leaves displayed on a string.

     

    •  How to preserve the painting on leaves?

    • Leaves are supposed to lose colours naturally with time. Once the leaves have been pressed dry I spray them with a protective coat of clear varnish spray(Linked below) to preserve the inks and the colours for a bit longer.

    Tip –

    1. Always test your protective spray on one of the leaves to see the result, only then use it on the others.
    2. To preserve the colour of the leaves, here is a blog that showed the use of mod podge over sharpie leaf art.
    Leaves – A super fun canvas

    So, three hours and 1000 words later I have shared everything I know about drawing on leaves.  I hope I have answered all the possible questions and I sincerely wish you give drawing on real leaves a try. It is a very easy, quick, super fun and therapeutic way to explore your creativity. If you still have any questions left, I will be more than happy to help you.

    Need help to shop the supplies for drawing on leaves? 

    I have listed a couple of pens and protective sprays, a bunch of options for your reference under the list LEAF ART SUPPLIES on my Amazon India storefront.  

    Also, if you like the post I will really appreciate it if you can show your support by sharing the guide. You can Pin the blog on your Pinterest board or share it over any social media app of your choice.

     

    Disclaimer- This post contains affiliate links to my Amazon storefront. If you use these links to buy something, it doesn’t cost you anything extra and I may earn a commission when you use this link to make a purchase.”

  • DIY Tutorial – 5 tips on How to Press Flowers

    Why to press flowers:

    Flowers are a beautiful gift of nature which don’t stay same for long . One way to preserve your favorite flowers is by pressing them . It’s a simple process and I am sharing 5 basic tips on how to press flowers . These easy tips will help you avoid the common mistakes and get great results .

    Pressed flowers find their use in a number of DIY decor projects . They are very useful as embellishments in various art items. You can use these as framed art , make greeting /invitation cards or add them to decor items like candles ,vase or wall plates .

    pressed flowers and leaves on a wall decor paper mache plate
    Wall plate decorated with pressed flowers

    Items needed:

    1. Flower /petals/leaves for pressing
    2. Book or Newspaper
    3. Heavy object (to place on top of book )
    4. Blotting paper (Optional) .

    5 tips for pressing flowers:

    1. Press Flowers at Earliest 

    If possible ,carry a small notebook which can hold the picked flowers for the time being. Flowers wilt and wrinkle easily if you put them in hand or directly inside a bag .

    After reaching home, put the flowers between clean sheets of paper or inside a book. Take a heavy book like a dictionary or telephone book . Choose a book that you don’t mind getting damaged as the moisture from flowers can spoil the pages.

    You can even put the flowers between pages of an old newspaper . Add a couple of heavy books or any heavy object on top for adding weight.

    Choose a dry place as humidity doesnt let the flower dry well and leads to mold. Keep flowers away from direct light as sunlight affects the color of the flowers.

    Pressing flowers using parchment paper
    Pressing flowers in an old diary

     

    2. Selecting the Flowers  

    To avoid mold , pick flower/leaves which are free from any moisture, dirt and soil  . Preferably, pick the flowers in daytime to avoid the morning dew.  

    Different variety of flowers and leaves for pressing
    Collection of flowers and leaves for pressing

    3. Decide the Final Look

    Pressed flowers lay flat which gives them a distinct look from fresh flowers . Depending on the petals arrangement of flowers being sparse or dense the end result after pressing varies. You can take just the petals if you don’t like the look of full flowers after pressing .

    Press the same flower sideways and face down to see the change in the outcome. Gently adjust the petals  with your hand or tweezers to set in a desired shape.

    pressed flowers and leaves on a wall decor paper mache plate
    Adding leaves with pressed flowers on a wall decor plate

    4. Add Greenery to Flowers

    Along with flowers ,most of leaves and grass look very beautiful after pressing . Adding a couple of leaves is a great way to compliment flowers and give a natural look to the arrangement.

    5. Pressing Duration

    Most flowers take 2-4 weeks to dry fully .Initially you can open the book to check the flowers for signs of moisture. Be patient and don’t disturb the arrangement frequently.

    Useful Tips:

    1. Flowers are fragile and get brittle after pressing and need to be handled gently . You can also use tweezers while working with pressed flowers .
    2. Pressed flowers fade with time with exposure to direct sunlight . You can seal them to preserve them a little longer . The simplest option for protecting your projects is to apply Mod Podge or watered down PVA glue over them.
    Frame artwork made using vibrant colorful flowers and leaves
    Framed art using Pressed flowers

    I hope that you will try to press different kind of flowers and find the tips in the article useful. If you are looking projects that use pressed flowers ,do check my DIY posts.

    If you have more questions,feel free to ask them in comments below .

  • DIY Tutorial – 3 Tips To Paint Surfaces Like a Pro

    teal paint on old plastic chair
    DIY – Painting Old Chairs

    Honestly speaking , paint jobs are one of the easiest Do – It – Yourself ( DIY) projects.

    But there is a single biggest reason why DIYers end up dissatisfied with the final look of their paint project . They don’t give enough importance to surface preparation prior to paint and end up with a lousy paint job . Surface prep plays a big role in the final look and the longevity of your paint job.

    I am listing 3 general tips you need to follow when you paint any surface.(Common ones are Wood,Metal,Plastic or a wall of your room )

    Important Note : Ensure personal safety  

    Even if you plan to paint a small object , it’s important to take sufficient safety precaution.

    Always wear protective gear like gloves and a dust mask while working with paint . Ensure that you have a well ventilated,dust free working space . Cover the area with a cotton drop cloth or an old bed sheet. This will reduce the time required for cleaning up the spills and spatter .

    Covering Up the Surface before paint . (Image source : Taelynn Christopher work on Unsplash.)

    Tip 1 : Cleaning the surface 

    Thoroughly wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove all the accumulated  dust ,dirt or grease. Use a detergent or a cleaning chemical, if required.(Especially in case of old metal or wood surface). With a scraper or a blunt knife remove all the loose,cracked paint layers . Also remove stickers or labels , if any . Leave the surface to dry completely.

    If the surface is not clean , it will offer poor adhesion to new paint making it prone to flaking or peeling in future .

    Tip 2 : Sanding down the surface

    Sanding is the process of smoothing a surface by grinding or rubbing with an abrasive such as a sandpaper. Sandpapers are categorised on the basis of Grit size which is usually a number. Smaller number means coarse grit, while a large number indicates a fine grit. Sanding gives a roughened surface or a “tooth” for paint to adhere/ latch onto .

    • For Wood, use a medium or fine grit sandpaper ( P100 or P220). Sand till smooth if its fresh/bare wood and sand lightly for previously painted one.  
    • For Plastic,sand gently with a fine grit sandpaper (P320 or P400 ) as it tends to scratch easily . Focus on shiny smooth areas as paint finds it difficult to stick on these areas.
    • Don’t sand Glass surface as it tends to scratch easily. 
    • Metal** surface should be sanded to get rid of rust or scales ,if any . Scratches on metal are clearly visible hence sand them very lightly using fine grit sandpaper (P220, P320 or P400 ).

    ** Note- On Galvanized surface paint sticks very poorly and it requires additional action to prepare them for paint .

    Sanding wooden surface

    Just keep in mind that you don’t damage your surface while sanding. Sand gently in circular motions to reduce scuff marks. As sanding generates a lot of dust , always wear gloves and a dust mask. Prefer open spaces or cover your workspace well  to protect it from the dust. 

    After sanding wipe clean the surface with a soft damp cloth followed by a dry lint free cloth. It’s easy to clean this fine dust with a damp cloth but if you use a cloth too wet you’ll get a chalky layer of moist dust on your surface.

    Once you finish cleaning let the surface dry properly as moisture can ruin your paint .

    Tip 3 : Prime the surface

    Why do we need to prime ?

    DIYers usually work with old, previously painted surfaces. Priming gives you a clean slate to start and helps you get a smooth paint finish for dilapidated projects . It also help to protect the original surface from ageing due to exposure.(especially for wood and metal )

    Primer has two purpose mainly :

    • Primer increases durability of your paint . It acts as a middle layer and improves the adhesion of paint to surface. This save your new paint from peeling or chipping in future . 
    • Primer gives excellent finish to your DIY paint job while keeping it economical as they are cheaper than paint . After 2 coats of primer, single coat of top layer paint is generally enough for a smooth finish . If you don’t use primer you will need extra paint coats for similar finish .

    Primer is very helpful when you are trying to change color ,especially while going from darker shade to lighter one.

    Pick a primer based on the paint you are using and the material of the surface. There are different types of  primer available for wood, masonry, metal, etc. Two coats of primer are sufficient with enough drying time between each coat .

    Please note, for glass surface, you can directly apply the paint . 

    Giving base coat before paint

    General care tips :

    Following points will come in handy if you are a beginner who is starting a DIY paint project :  

    • Cover up or fill any dents or holes in your project before you apply primer/paint . Depending on the surface the method may vary for this.
    • Multiple coats are important. This extra step will provide longer life and smoother finish to your paint . It’s advisable to invest a little more time and do that second coat. 
    • While working with multiple layers , let your surface dry completely before you proceed to the next step. 
    • If you are a beginner ,be very careful while sanding.  Always start with a fine grit size as they can’t cause much damage to your project. You can move down  to a smaller  grit size once familiar with sanding.  
    • Delay or avoid in humid conditions as it means drips and slow drying for paint.
    • For cleaning your surface always use a clean lint free cloth . 

    Lastly,as a rule of thumb remember that the time spend in preparing the surface decides the final outcome . Now that your surface is ready you can go ahead and finish your paint job like a pro. Happy painting !

    PS – This article only meant to give beginners a general idea .  After knowing the basics you will be equipped at handling your project requirements.  This post does not cover all the possible details for different scenarios .