Fall leaves can be preserved for use in decorating and other projects. You will have the best results with undamaged leaves that are picked directly from the tree, rather than those that have already fallen. Here are a few methods: Dry the leaves in the microwave oven. Place leaves atop two sheets of paper towel, and cover with another sheet. Start by microwaving for 30 seconds, then continue as long as necessary until they’re dry. Pay attention, because leaves can catch fire. If they curl after they’re removed from the microwave oven, however, they haven’t dried long enough. Remove the leaves, and let them continue air-drying for a day or two. Spray with an acrylic sealer. Preserve the leaves with glycerin. Place a single layer of leaves in a flat pan, and cover with a mixture of one part glycerin and two parts water. Weight the leaves to keep them submerged for two to six days, until they absorb the liquid and are soft and pliable. Remove the leaves, and wipe off the excess liquid with a soft cloth. Iron the leaves with waxed paper. This is similar to the method you used as a child, but you’ll peel off the paper and be left with wax-coated leaves. Place the leaves between single layers of paper towel. Using an iron set at medium heat with no steam, dry the leaves by pressing for at least 10 minutes. Then turn the leaves over, change the paper and press the other side for about five minutes. Keep the iron moving to prevent scorching. Next, turn the iron’s setting to high, and sandwich the leaves between sheets of waxed paper, waxed side to the leaf. Cover with another layer of paper to protect the iron. Press for about a minute, until the leaves adhere and are coated with wax. While the leaf still is warm, peel off the paper. The leaves will be left with a thin coating of wax to preserve their color. GERMAN HOLIDAY MARKET Carved wooden Santas, theorem paintings, Ukrainian decorated eggs and blown-glass ornaments are among the handcrafted items featured at the Harmony Museum’s Weihnachten Platz (German-style Christmas Market) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in Harmony. Artisans will make and sell their products, which include dolls and doll clothing, baskets, woodenware, jewelry, woven rugs, quilted hangings, baked goods, candy and pet supplies. Craftsmen and local merchants have contributed articles for a Chinese auction. The museum’s gift shop will be stocked with gift items, including afghans, candles and pottery. Registration forms will be available for the museum’s annual gingerbread baking contest. Judging for cash prizes in adult and junior categories will take place Dec. 9. Proceeds will benefit Historic Harmony. Details: (724) 452-7341 or (888) 821-4822. ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE SALE Items for old house restoration projects or for redecorating are the focus of a sale of architectural salvage materials and select lumber from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday at Wick Lumber Co., 309 Bailey Ave., Mt. Washington. Among the stock are doors, porch parts, brackets, shutters and panels from 1880 to 1940 and assorted items from the Wick Lumber home building inventory, 1920 to 1940. Small quantities of vintage building materials and hardware will be available. Select lumber for various building projects (pressure-treated plywood, trim material) can be seen by appointment. Details: (724) 321-7896. ANTIQUE CLOCKS Eugene Smeltzer, a collector and restorer of antique clocks, will present a free slide seminar on “Keys to Identifying Antique Clocks” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Schmidt’s Springhouse Antiques, on Route 66 five miles north of the intersection with Route 22. Smeltzer has been collecting, repairing and restoring antique clocks for more than 25 years. His focus is American-made clocks from the early 1800s to the early 1900s. He is an active member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collections. Details: (724) 325-2577. HOLIDAY PLANT TIPS The care and treatment of house plants – with a focus on holiday plants – is the topic of the Penn Hills Lawn and Garden Club meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Hebron United Presbyterian Church, 10460 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills. The speaker is Beverly Visneski of the club. The meeting is free and open to the public. The club also is sponsoring its annual fund-raiser from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Churchill Valley Country Club, Beulah Road, Penn Hills. For a $21 donation, patrons will be served lunch and see a vintage hat fashion show. There will be door prizes. FREE CROSS-STITCH DESIGNS Posy Lough, a counted cross-stitch designer, wanted to use her craft to remember and honor those affected by the events of Sept. 11. As a result, she is offering two patriotic designs for free on her Web site, with plans to add another on the 11th of each month for a series of projects in memory of the World Trade Center disaster. Counted cross-stitch graphs for the Heart of Freedom – a heart with a stars-and-stripes motif – and the Flag of Freedom can be downloaded from the site. They can be stitched and fashioned into pins, bookmarks or ornaments. Lough invites stitchers to share the graphs, but she asks that the designs not be used for profit. Details: www.posycollection.com . – From staff and wire reports Send home and garden news to Homework, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, D.L. Clark Building, 503 Martindale St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Or e-mail tribliving@tribweb.com .

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---