Autumn Leaf Suncatcher

Ahhh, the natural beauty of fall. It’s a gorgeous sight, isn’t it? We had so much fun on our nature scavenger hunt over the summer, that we’re returning to the great outdoors for another seasonally inspired craft. If the region you live in experiences the changing of the leaves, perfect! If your trees keep their vibrant greens all year long, that’s okay! You can make a couple of modifications to embrace the new season in your own way.

We’re going to create an Autumn Leaf Suncatcher to show off the leaves in their various states of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. You can collect your own by looking for all types of colors and shapes in your backyard or at a local park. Fake leaves from the craft store, colored construction paper leaves, or shades of green will work too. Just use what you have!

Gather these materials to get started:

• Clear contact paper
• Fresh autumn leaves
• Scissors
• Heart-shaped hole punch (or other shapes) (optional)

Follow these simple steps to create your suncatcher:

1. Prep your contact paper.
   Cut a large rectangular piece of contact paper, then fold it in half to make a crease in the middle. Pull the paper covering back on one side, stopping at the fold to reveal the sticky side.
2. Add your foliage.
   Arrange your leaves on the sticky side of the contact paper and press to adhere. If desired, use your hole punch to cut out hearts (or other shapes) from leaves before placing them. You can add the small cutout pieces to your suncatcher too
3. Fold to finish.
   When you’re satisfied with your design, remove the rest of the paper backing from the contact paper on the other side of the fold. Carefully lay it down over the side where you put your leaves, avoiding air bubbles if possible. This will secure them in between the two layers of plastic. Press down to seal, especially around the edges.
4. Display your suncatcher. 
   Hang your creation in a sunny spot to catch the glow. You can tape your suncatcher directly to the window or punch holes in the top and add a ribbon or string for hanging.