Fall Yard Work Made Beautiful
Preparing the garden for winter is hard work. Cleaning up fallen leaves, wrapping trees, and trimming back branches are just some of the many tasks that need to be done before the snow begins to fall. But while you work, keep a lookout for the perfect leaf or two. Scour discarded branches for one with a perfect mug-size diameter and colourful rings. This is the perfect time of year to get creative. Pressed leaves and DIY wood coasters not only make lovely gifts, but they also protect furniture from water rings and spills.
Here’s what you need to make DIY Wood Coasters:
- Straight branches (no less than 10 cm in diameter)
- Hand saw
- Sandpaper
- Clear varnish
- Using the hand saw cut slices of wood from the branch about 2 cm thick. Place them in a cool, dry spot where they can dry out.
- After about a week, sand the surface of each slice leaving the bark on the edges intact. You may want to start with heavy grit sandpaper before switching to a finer grit for a nice smooth look.
- Paint all sides (including the bark edge) with clear varnish and let dry to finish.
- If your coasters are going to be gifts, stack them and place a pressed leaf on top. Tie with jute twine to complete the look!
Pro Tip
For best results, dry wood slices in a room that has limited moisture and heat. This allows the wood to dry slowly, preventing cracks. Check them periodically as drying times may vary.
