This project is fun, fast, festive, and frugal (I know, I know. . . I couldn't help myself). Ironing your leaves will simultaneously evaporate any moisture and press them flat, which will keep them preserved for quite a while.

Step 1: gather your leaves. I'm partial to maple.

Step 2: place leaf face down between two peices of thin cloth like muslin. Dish towels would also work.

Step 3: press with a hot, dry iron until the leaves are stiff and dry. Check periodically to prevent burning. I love this part, it smells like a candle inside a jack-o-lantern.

Step 4: admire cute baby in her bears jersey!

Step 5: use twine, such as this baker's twine, or yarn or hemp to tie the leaves by their stems at about 4 inches apart.

* Tip for doing so: gather excess twine by wrapping around three fingers, sliding off, and pinching and twisting in the middle. Then make a big open knot, slide the knot to where you want it as you cinch it down, and place the leaf stem inside right before you pull it tight.

Step 6: hang and enjoy!

Saturday we went on a walk to drop my wedding band off at Costello's to get resized (I haven't worn it for most of Indy's life because it's too big), to try and lull Indy to sleep for a much needed nap, and to collect leaves for a project which I'll tell you about tomorrow. Unfortunately it was not sunny, but it was a pretty classic, cloudy and cold fall day. Here are some photos that Alan snapped during our walk. . .

Costello's is across the street from us, recently and beautifully remodeled inside to restore some of its original historical architecture, and does jewelry work in-store, major plus. . .

Obviously that whole nap thing worked. . .

The pairie path. . .

Indy's new ruby red shoes which we got at Wear and Share. . .

Headed home. . .

The spoils. . .

Stay tuned to see what I'm going to do with these bad boys.