Hammered Leaf Cover

• 1). Gather -- or have children gather -- fresh, green leaves of varying sizes and shapes.
  
  
• 2). Place a plain sheet of paper on a clean board, and arrange a leaf or group of leaves on the paper. Tack a square of muslin, slightly smaller than the blank book's front cover, to the board, covering the leaves.
  
  
• 3). Use a stone or small hammer to pound the muslin, which will release the leaf's color onto the fabric. Remove the muslin from the board, separating the leaf from the fabric.
  
  
• 4). Glue the muslin to the book cover, turning the edges under for a finished look. Attach ribbon or other trim around the muslin's border, if desired.
  
  

Variations

• 1). Create a leaf rubbing by following the directions in Step 2 of the hammered leaf cover. Instead of pounding to transfer the leaf's color, rub crayons lightly over the surface of the muslin square or a sheet of heavy paper. Proceed with the remaining directions.
  
  
• 2). Create a reverse leaf design by arranging leaves on top of a piece of muslin or paper. Use watercolor or acrylic paint for paper, or fabric paint for muslin, and paint over the entire cover. Remove the leaves and allow the paint to dry before attaching the book cover.
  
  
• 3). Paint leaf designs onto muslin freehand, or trace around leaves placed on the fabric and then paint the leaf and fill in details such as the leaves' veins. This also works well using paper instead of fabric. Attach the cover when the paint is dry, and add trim and embellishments if desired.