How To: Make a Maple Leaf Rose

Before you rake up the maple leaves on your driveway, how about grabbing a couple of the newer ones to make yourself a maple leaf rose?

Think of it as origami using real leaves. By rolling, folding and layering leaves together one by one, you can make a maple leaf rose using just three leaves—or if you want to make a bigger maple leaf rose, simply keep adding more leaves.

Make three or more maple leaf roses roses to create a bouquet which you can then put in a vase with unfolded maple leaves to create a simple, unique, eye-pleasing centerpiece for the autumn season.

Though not completely necessary, you can spray your maple leaf rose creation with hairspray to extend its shelf life. The maple leaf roses will dry up but still retain their rose shape for months if kept indoors.

Click on image to enlarge.