I love a printable that can do more than one thing, and paper leaves are especially easy to move around the house for fall. I am using the same gingham leaves in three different ways this season: on branches in a vase, as a garland for the entry table, and as garlands the kids can make for their own rooms.
They all start with the same simple step: print the leaves, cut them out, and decide how you want to arrange the colors. From there, each project feels completely different.
1. Glue paper leaves to branches for a vase
This may be my favorite way to use them. Start with a few bare branches from the yard or decorative branches you already have.
Then add the paper leaves one at a time. I like placing them at different heights and turning some in different directions so the branches do not look too uniform. A little craft glue or a glue dot is enough for lightweight paper leaves. If you are using a stronger adhesive, keep that part as the adult job. I typically use hot glue. Watercolor paper gives a really pretty finish for the leaves as well.
The finished arrangement adds height and color without taking up much surface space, which makes it especially nice for an entry table. Have some old books you don't mind repurposing? Book pages make especially pretty leaves for this project.
2. Make a paper leaf garland for the entry table
For the second set, I am making a garland to run across the entry table. You can attach the leaves to string, ribbon, or twine with small dots of glue, or punch a small hole in each leaf and thread them on.
Try alternating colors or mixing them without a fixed pattern. You can make the garland fairly straight and simple, or let it curve around a vase, lamp, stack of books, or whatever is already on the table. It is an easy way to add fall without completely redecorating the space.
3. Let the kids make garlands for their rooms
The kids are making their own versions for their rooms. They will choose the color order, spacing, and how long they want the garland to be and are encouraged to mix and match, embellish, whatever they like to make it truly their own.
A few printing tips
Cardstock works well if you want firmer leaves for branches or a garland that will hold its shape. Regular or lighter-weight paper is also nice for garlands because it moves a little more easily. Print at 100% or Actual Size unless the product instructions say otherwise, and use the paper and printer settings that work best for your setup. Like I mentioned earlier, watercolor paper is a really good option for these.
One printable, three different fall projects
That is what I like most about these leaves: you can print a few pages and use them all over the house without every project looking the same. A vase arrangement, an entry-table garland, and a few little bedroom garlands are enough to carry the same fall colors from room to room.