A gift of newly forming oak leaves fell into my front yard Sunday morning. The beautiful velvety pinks and greens of these small leaves demanded pressing.

Almost all deciduous trees have leaves that will press. The emerging leaflets are born wearing colors that shimmer and gleam. They are clothed in an ephemeral glistening that will disappear as the leaves begin to thicken. If you don’t begin to press these beautiful miniatures now, you will lose the window of time they are available.

Miniature leaves press well between the pages of non-glossy paged books. Using the microwave book method often destroys and browns their beautiful colors. Because the small leaves are thin-bodied, they will be ready in 7 -10 days for pressed flower crafting.