Turn Fallen Leaves Into Fall-Inspired Rose Decor For Your Tablescape With An Easy DIY

The crisp reds, oranges, and yellows of fallen leaves are arguably the prettiest thing about fall, the season's answer to summer's warm late sunsets, winter's pristinely white falling snow, and spring's flower blooms. Then, a week goes by, and all those leaves have turned into mush from the passage of time and the cloudy rainy days. Well, with this stunning fall centerpiece DIY, you can save those fallen maple leaves from their muddy fate by transforming them into delightful bouquets of faux fall roses. This affordable decor requires nothing but a drinking glass, a glue gun, and some hot glue. The glass needs a small, rounded bowl to create the rose bud effect (a liquor/cordial glass would work well). You could, however, skip the glass if you're feeling confident in your sculpting abilities. For this alternative method, you'll just need floral wire or any kind of string you have at hand.

The leaves for this DIY should be freshly fallen. If they're overly dry, they will crack and the rose shape will not hold. To preserve your project for a while longer, give your leaves a glycerin bath. Mix glycerine with water in a 1:2 ratio in a container, and submerge your leaves in the liquid for three to five days. This will help maintain their colors, while keeping them pliable enough to complete the rose. For a bouquet, make sure to grab as many leaves as possible in a diverse range of colors. Once you're finished, your roses can be used as a beautiful dining table centerpiece or a charming accent within a broader tablescape.

To make your faux roses with the glass method, fold each leaf over the rim, with the wide end of the leaf going into the glass. Layer leaves in all the way around the rim. After you've folded enough leaves to cover the entire rim, go over that first layer with a second set of leaves. Apply one leaf at a time, adding a thin strip of glue per leaf to hold it. Repeat this until the glass bowl is full. Turn it on its head, and remove the glass to reveal a gorgeous, blooming faux rose. Create a collection to successfully decorate for fall without spending a dime!

@anastasiakhoroshenko

I made a rose from fallen leaves because autumn deserves to bloom too 🌹🍂

♬ to the moon – alok

Without the glass as your mold, you need to create the rosebud shape manually. Fold one leaf in half widthwise, with its most vibrant side facing outward, and roll it into a tight tube. Use your smallest leaves for this step. Fold the next leaf, and wrap it around your first roll, ensuring the creased edge is on top. The tighter your roll, the more leaves you'll need to create the rosebud, but it will also look fuller. Continue to do this until you're happy with the size. Five or six leaves should be enough. 

For the petals, instead of folding more leaves, wrap them around the center as they are. The leaf blades should be a couple of inches taller than the rose's center. For a more realistic look, gradually increase the size of the leaves. Continue distributing leaves evenly around the center. Once you're satisfied, tie a piece of wire around the base to keep your leaves in place, and gently pull back the petals to expose the leaves' colors and produce a more realistic rose effect.