Leaf skeletonization: we create unique masterpieces with our own hands

Skeletonization of leaves with their own hands has recently become increasingly popular. Indeed, such leaves are quite widespread in scrapbooking and card making, are used in the design of gifts and bouquets, and much more.

And some, the largest and most delicate pieces, many are placed in frames and used for room decoration. They can emphasize and complement the beauty and sophistication of any interior.

But how can you do skeletonization of leaves with your own hands? Everything is quite simple. You just need to be patient and be careful.

What is useful to us for skeletonization?

• Soda ash (previously it was used for washing).
• Water (the most common, in large quantities).
• Toothbrush (preferably not too stiff).
• Casserole (possibly not enameled, small).
• Directly leaves (try to pick up even and strong enough, if there are yellow - fine, they are stronger than green, they should be leathery and dense. For example, leaves of poplar, magnolia or viburnum).

Skeletonization of leaves: a master class

The actions are performed in the following order:

1. It is necessary to prepare a saturated solution of soda in water. We take in the following proportion: one tablespoon of soda per half liter of liquid.
2. Leave the leaves in the prepared solution and boil for forty minutes to one and a half hours. If someone is too lazy to wait so long, he can use a pressure cooker. Then time will be reduced to half an hour.
   
3. The leaves are thoroughly washed with running water and boiled in clean water for about an hour. Cooking time depends only on the quality of your starting material. This is the most important step in a process like skeletonizing leaves with soda. They can not be digested, but undercooked is also bad. Turn off the fire when the leaves are completely brown-black.
4. We take the leaves from the pan one at a time and carefully, slowly, peeling the flesh from each of them. If something doesn’t work, cook a little more.
5. If you accidentally tear one or more leaves a little during operation, do not throw them away, finish them, rinse and then simply spread the leaves on the table so that the gap is hidden. After a while, the hole will disappear.
6. We wash our leaves well and get openwork skeletons. Skeletonization of leaves with their own hands is almost finished. It remains only to dry them and paint.
7. In order for the leaves to dry and at the same time remain smooth, it is recommended to iron them and put them under the press. An ordinary book is suitable as it.
8. When our skeletons have dried, we can start painting.
   
   If you need to bleach them, you can do this with ordinary whiteness.

Conclusion

Favorably emphasizes the beauty and lightness of our leaves, the paint is golden and silver. It is more convenient to use an aerosol. She does not burden them.

Do everything carefully, the paint is quite difficult to wash off. It is not necessary to use the rule for aerosol coating: one sheet - one color, fantasize!

Here's how skeletonization of leaves with your own hands occurs. Good luck in your work!