Transform fallen leaves into autumn ornaments

People often ask me how I come up with craft ideas. Most of the time it's just a matter of taking a good look at what I've got around me. That's what happened this week. Some of the materials were growing right outside in my backyard.

But how did I actually come up with the crafts you're about to read about? Maybe I'm lazy and wanted fewer leaves to rake this fall. Or, perhaps I figured that pressed leaves and sprayed gold, would give the perfect glow to autumn crafts and would keep well for future projects. You decide.

In true Impatient Crafter form, I used a microwave flower press to press my leaves. A job that would normally take two weeks was done in less than two minutes. You've got to love that. Lee Valley Tools sells these great gadgets for $29.95.

You can press the free way, too. Put your dry, freshly picked leaves (I used oak leaves) between the pages of a phone book or other large book and wait. To protect the book, first place them between two sheets of smooth paper towel.

Now, let's see what we can do with pressed leaves.

Make a spin wreath awesome for autumn by tucking in some gold leaves.

What you need

• Pressed leaves
• Newspaper
• Spray paint (gold)
• Krylon Webbing spray (gold chiffon)

Step 1: Once the leaves are pressed, set them on several sheets of newspaper. Make sure they don't overlap. Do this step in a well-ventilated area, but make sure it's sheltered so your leaves don't blow away! Coat one side of the leaves with gold spray paint. Follow directions and tips given on the can. When the paint is dry, carefully flip the leaves over (they might stick a little) and spray the underside. For variety, use Krylon Webbing spray in gold chiffon on some leaves for added texture and an interesting look.

Step 2: When dry, use the leaves right away or store them in an envelope until you're ready to get crafty.

Here are a few ways to use the leaves:

Spin wreath: Spruce up a spin wreath and make it awesome for autumn by tucking in some gold leaves. Use dots of hot-melt glue to tack the leaves in place. By using the glue sparingly, you can easily remove the leaves when fall is through and add winter decorations instead.

Make your own simple invites to invite family to Thanksgiving.

Greeting cards/invitations: Inviting friends and family to a Thanksgiving feast? Make your own super simple invites. Buy blank cards (cream), corrugated cardboard and natural paper (brown) (found at craft and scrapbooking stores. Don't waste time measuring and cutting the cardboard and paper. Wet a cotton swab. Use this as a pencil to draw the shape you want. It will moisten the cardboard and paper and make it easy to tear. Using tack white glue, stick the cardboard (bumpy side up) onto the blank card. Glue the paper on top and then glue the leaf in place. Make smaller versions (using smaller leaves) to serve as place cards at your Thanksgiving table.

Simple centrepiece: Arrange locally grown gourds in a decorative bowl, set leaves in amongst the gourds. For a glow, make gourd tea lights. Set the gourd on the table. Let it wobble until it's stable. Position a tea light on top. Trace around it with a pencil. Cut out the plug with a paring knife (leave the innards in) and press a tea light into the gourd.

How would you put pressed leaves to use? I'd love to know, so please share your crafty ideas by leaving a comment.