I’ve seen this project on Pinterest for years: use Mod Podge and artificial leaves to make a decorative leaf bowl. I even pinned the project last year with the idea to try it myself. With fall around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to test out this project. Would it work? Was it as easy as Pinterest made it look? Armed with Mod Podge, leaves, and tons of advice left by commenters on the original post, I was ready to test this extremely popular pin and make my own decorative leaf bowl.
Supplies needed to make your own DIY leaf bowl:
Step one. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Step two. Paint Mod Podge onto a leaf, and press the leaf onto the bowl. Repeat with various leaves, overlapping the leaves as you go. As you layer and press the leaves onto each other, excess Mod Podge will squeeze out. Just brush that over the outside of the leaves. Continue until the base is covered and half the sides are covered with leaves.
Step three. Because the leaves are not flat, they kept popping up and sliding around a bit. To hold them in place while the Mod Podge set, I covered the wet leaves with more plastic wrap. I pressed on the plastic wrap to smooth out the leaves and help them stick together. I placed the covered leaves in the sun for about 4 hours, then I carefully removed the outer layer of plastic wrap and let the leaves dry completely. You could probably leave the plastic wrap on while they dry, but it will extend the drying time considerably.
Step four. When the leaves were completely dry, I sprayed them with an application of Krylon Triple Thick Glaze. Mod Podge tends to be slightly tacky when it dries, so the glaze helps cover up the stickiness. Also, the leaves are still very pliable, and I thought the glaze would make them a little firmer and help the leaves adhere better.
Step five. When the glaze is dry, carefully take the leaves and plastic wrap off the bowl. Carefully peel back the plastic wrap from the inside of the leaf bowl.
This DIY leaf bowl is lovely, don’t you think? It would make a gorgeous addition to a side table or coffee table. It is very lightweight and pliable, so you can’t fill it with anything heavy, but it would look cute with some artificial acorns inside. You could add some scented pot pourri to the bowl and use it to brighten up a room.
How might you use your decorative leaf bowl this fall?
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About Morena
Morena Hockley is the crafty mind behind the tutorials at morenascorner.com. Morena is a stay at home mom to four young children, and crafting is what helps her maintain her sanity. It’s a wonderful outlet and it’s how she gets her “me” time. In a past life, Morena was an elementary school teacher and an assistant principal. She misses teaching, so her blog is in a sense a virtual classroom. Swing by and check out Morena’s Corner!
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I am so excited. Since the sun wasn’t shinning I put it in the mircowave for 1 minute and removed the bottom or top as you would say plastic to keep the leaves in place. Then I put more mod podge on the outside. I am cooking a roast and the oven puts out heat on top so I set it there. Now it seemed kind of moist to me, but I moved it away and letting it dry. i think by morning I should be able to see how it turned out. Keeping my fingers crossed. If it works I am making one for my aunt.
I am trying it right now. Although I have no sun not sure how long it will take to dry. I hope it turns out nice as I love the one that was made in the picture.
Thank you for sharing this. Wonderful directions and what a beautiful piece of art! I look forward to seeing more of your great ideas.
So creative why have I never thought about this?! Great idea!
I already had success making 3 of these at home. I made these with our school kids. I use some krylon spray on a few which seemed to make them very sticky. Any suggestions. It makes them seem like they would probably stick to a table.
Were the leave totally dried?
I tried the leaf bowl. It was so simple and fun to do. I love it. It is just too cute.
I think you’re bowl idea is cool as heck. Thank you for sharing. 😀
Love this idea. Had one suggestion for you before I get my hands messy on this super fun project… Do you think it would work if after the second later of plastic wrap, to put a second bowl of the same size over it to help hold it down? Didn’t know if it would mess with the drying time though…?
Thank you, the leaves on our bowl kept popping up, we added more mod podge, no luck. No one mentioned covering again with plastic wrap, but thought I might try it anyway. Checked on line one more time, and read your post, thank you. My granddaughter and I were so disappointed we couldn’t get it to work . Now it looks like it will, thanks again. Any secrets for balloons with yarn and mod podge? That was our second disappointment. The yarn keeps slipping off.
Use crochet thread, it holds up, and stays strong. I tried yarn and couldn’t get it to work. At Easter time I made 24 “baskets” with the crochet thread and watered down Elmer’s glue instead of mod podge.
Make sure you go all around it and lightly push the yarn from the ballon before letting the air out of the balloon
Thank you!!! I just finished mine and love it!!
About how many leaves did you use?
It depends on what size bowl you use and how much overlap you want.
My son has the day off from school, so I wanted to do something crafty-fun with him that we can share with the family, as we’re hosting Thanksgiving this year! 🙂 Can’t wait. It’s gonna be so fun! Of course, I’ll probably end up doing most of it myself. haha
Can you use real leafs to make this bowl? Love it.
I would also be interested to know if real leaves could be used
http://www.madewithhappy.com/diy-leaf-bowl/
looks like you can on here
Those are also faux leaves. The author lead the reader to believe they were natural leaves. Real leaves would turn brown real fast. Unless you purchased preserved leaves at a craft store. Or perhaps the modge would help preserve the leaves for a few weeks. I would tend to think they would begin to mold or smell after a few days. Has anyone tried it? Most of the preserved leaves I’ve worked with are very brittle. They’ve been great for garland, wreaths, and centerpiece where I glued them to dried branches. The thinner the better when it comes to faux fall foliage for forming purposes. Softening in hot water works great.
i did this with real leaves and after a couple of weeks the leaves died and it sort of fell apart. so it works but doesnt last.
Hi Nancy, what condition were your real leaves in before using them? Can I pick any leaves out of my yard as long as they don’t have rips in them?
Can you put edibles in it (like bread)?
You should put a towel/napkin/something between the food and the bowl.
I thought that crafting died within me, but you have really unleashed it with your work..
I loved it soooo much..
thanks a lot.
It’s very easy to remove the plastic vein from the leaf so that it will lay much more flat on the bowl or whatever project you are doing that requires gluing down the leaves.
I have never seen anyone work with Modpodge like Morena. She just dazzles me
Has anyone tried this idea with artificial holly leaves for the December and winter holidays? I think I want to see what that would look like…..
I was thinking snowflakes might be fun to try.
where can i find Krylon Triple Thick Glaze? I cannot find it in my local craft stores (Michaels and AC Moore), nor walmart, lowes or home depot. Thanks!
Hi Denise, you can find the triple thick glaze here: https://www.consumercrafts.com/store/details/catalog/floral-finishes/sw0500
For our reader’s convenience, there is a supply list at the beginning of each project. Just click the orange text and it will take you directly to the product used – you can then purchase it.
Lovely. Looks like a good autumn table center piece. Might just have to try that!
What a lovely bow! Thank you for sharing!