Pretty Fall Leaf DIY Place Cards

Fall is here, and I’m really excited because it means I get to set  pretty table settings for my family!  I’m here to do a guest post for Jennifer Rizzo. In case you haven’t met me yet, I’m Jennifer Zuri from Town and Country Living. Does it get confusing with two Jennifers? Anywhoo … back to the topic of table settings. Today I have pretty Fall leaf DIY place cards for you to make using real leaves, wood tags and stickers which not only make not only a pretty and elegant tablescape, but can be a lovely gift your guest can leave with.

This post contains affiliate links, see our sponsor and affiliate disclosure here.

I love using natural elements like making crafts with real leaves to decorate because a) it’s inexpensive and b) it’s pretty. If you’re looking for an easy way to personalize your Fall or even Thanksgiving dinner table, give these DIY place cards a try.

Find: Supplies for this craft here

The first thing you want to do is go outside and collect some colorful leaves. Try to get ones that have just fallen off the tree because they’ll still be soft and supple. You can also pick them right off the tree, too (which is what I did with a few of these).

Make also: Easy Gathered Leaf Art

Next, you’ll want to preserve your leaves. You can press them the old fashioned way, or use Mod Podge. Last year I pressed my leaves and then coated them with Mod Podge, but this year I decided not to press them. That way they’d retain some of their curvy texture.

Spread a thin coat of the glue mixture on one side of the leaves (I had a piece of wax paper underneath). Wait for it to dry, and then lightly coat the second side. It doesn’t take long for the glue to dry. Mod Podge seals the leaves and they will keep until next year if you want to re-use them.

While the leaves dry, it’s time to work on the place cards. You’ll need the wooden tags, stencils, acrylic paint, book pages, and twine.

Using Raw Umber acrylic paint, I painted a border around each tag. Next, rip small squares from book pages. Use Mod Podge or glue to adhere the page to the wooden tag. Then, using a very light hand, smudge a little more paint onto the exposed parts of the tag.

At the last minute I changed my stencil. These are stick-ons from JoAnn Fabrics. You can do a regular stencil or even write free hand if you’re artistic. Everyone in our family has a different first initial so using initials works for my table.

Loop a piece of twine through the hole at the top of the tag. Layer two leaves and tie the tag onto the leaf stems. Make sure you use a long piece of twine if you want to wrap it around a napkin.

Also Make: Quick and Easy Place Card and Centerpiece in one

Then add the initial of the person of choice onto your tag. The S on this one is for Stephanie, my daughter.  You can see in this photo that I purposely made the book page square crooked.

Your guests can keep their personalized Fall leaf place cards. They could even use them as an ornament on their Christmas tree.

 

These colorful Fall leaf DIY place cards are a great way to personalize your table setting. And I love the fact that I can keep the leaves until next year to use for another decor project.

You Might Also Like …

Decorating with Baby Boos

My Fall Home Tour

How to Paint Pine Cones

 

Visit my blog over at TOWN AND COUNTRY LIVING.

Or you can follow me via the social sites below!

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Instagram