HOW TO MAKE REALISTIC PAPER LEAVES

These DIY paper leaves are super easy and would be adorable when incorporated into a balloon arch or table centerpiece for a chic brunch. I was inspired by the foliage at our wedding venue to make these.

SUPPLIES

• card stock or poster board
• sharp scissors
• bone folder  

DIRECTIONS

1. Decide in the size of leaves you want and the type you want to
   create. You will need to use either a sheet of card stock for smaller,
   of poster board for larger leaves. I used a mix of the two. A variety of sizes
   mixed together will give you a pretty layered result.
2. Draw you leaves and cut them out. It’s ok to mess up here. The
   jagged and wavy edges give you leaves a textured look that’ll look
   better in the end. I looked up images of tropical leaves and vines and
   then free-handed my sketches form there. I varied each leaf from one
   another.
3. Once your leaves are cut out, you will use your bone folder to give
   them some texture. This will give them more structure and mimic their
   natural shape. Look at your picture of your leaf and decide the shapes
   you want to imprint into the leaf. I made a vein/stem going down the
   middle, and then strokes going from the middle stem to the outer ends of
   the leaf.
4. I did the middle stem on the front side of the leaf since it has a
   naturally concave shape that folded in. I turned the leaf over and
   imprinted the smaller veins on the back side. This part is all really up
   to you and how you want to get creative.
5. Once you’ve added in your texture, you’re good to go!