![DIY Leaf Animals](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1.1_6-leaves_draw_overview.jpg)
It’s time to head outside and hunt for interesting leaves! Here are two great ideas for using fresh leaves as a canvas for embroidery or press them and draw fun animal friends!
![DIY Stitched Leaves](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4.4_leaves_faces-freh-and-pressed.jpg)
I always have two or three projects to do on my kitchen table. Instead of finishing my felt finger puppets, I turned to embroidering leaves. I approach it like sketching: with a free and easy hand.
![DIY Leaf Animal](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1.1_5-leaves_draw_overview.jpg)
Drawing on Leaves
Leaves are great for drawing animals with ears, like foxes, cats, and owls. I recommend using leaves from tulip and maple trees or from a common grapevine.
What You Need
- Leaves, pressed in a book for a couple of days
- Markers, black and white
![DIY Leaf Animal](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1.1_7-leaves_draw_overview.jpg)
Take a look at the shape and color of your leaf—I’m sure there is an animal in there! You can even frame the finished project. I framed my little owl in a painted cheese plate.
![DIY Stitched Leaves](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4.0_leaves_stitch_overview.jpg)
Stitching On The Leaves
Have you ever tried to embroider a fresh leaf? It’s easy and fun! Find some fresh, tough leaves and get your needle and floss ready!
![DIY Stitched Leaves](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4.1_leaves_what-you-need.jpg)
What You Need
- Fresh leaves work better than dry ones: I used leaves from a grapevine and walnut tree
- Blunt needle
- Scissors
- Embroidery floss
![DIY Stitched Leaves](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4.2_leaves_to-stitch.jpg)
Take your leaf, thread your needle, and start sewing!
![DIY Stitched Leaf](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4.4_leaves_stitch_pressed.jpg)
You might want to press the finished leaf in a book.
![DIY Leaf Projects](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1.3_leaves_sewing-card.jpg)
Eagle Owl Sewing Card
For little hands I made a sewing card for the eagle owl on a tulip tree leaf.
What You Need
- Printable eagle owl sewing card template (download here)
- A4 printer paper 90-120g
- Blunt needle
- Scissors
- Embroidery floss
Step 1
Download the printable sewing card template and print it.
Step 2
Take the blunt needle and carefully punch holes at the ends of the white lines.
Step 3
Cut out the template cards along the dotted line.
Step 4
Thread your needle and start sewing!
![DIY Stitched Leaves](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1.3_leaves_sewing-card_2-owls.jpg)
That’s all there is to it! Now you’re set with a couple of fun fall activities that will keep you and the little ones busy on a crisp, rainy afternoon!