An Autumn Walk Worth Taking

There is a particular fortnight in late September and early October — after the first sharp nights but before the gales strip the hedgerows bare — when the countryside offers up its finest colour. Beech turns to copper, field maple to a bruised crimson, and the fallen leaves underfoot are still crisp and whole rather than damp and curling at the edges. This is the moment to head out with a flat-bottomed basket or a sturdy paper bag and gather material for a season's worth of greeting cards.

Pressing leaves is one of the quietest, most satisfying country crafts there is. It costs almost nothing, it demands no special equipment beyond what most households already own, and it turns a morning's walk into something you can post to a friend in Aberdeen or keep in a drawer for a birthday in February. The results look far more considered than the effort involved.

Choosing Leaves That Press Well

Not every leaf is worth the trouble. Thin, flat, relatively dry specimens press best, because they release their moisture quickly and hold their shape without wrinkling. Thick, fleshy leaves — think ivy or anything succulent — tend to go brown and mouldy between the pages.

Look for these in particular:

• Field maple and silver birch, which keep their delicate veining and turn a good clear gold.
• Oak and beech, sturdier but excellent for a bolder, more rustic design.
• Ferns and rowan sprigs, which press into fine, feathery shapes and look handsome against plain cream card.
• Single leaves rather than clusters, so you can arrange each one deliberately later.

Pick leaves that are dry on the surface. If there has been rain, wait a day. Avoid anything with dark spots, mildew or nibbled edges — though a small hole or two can add character if you are feeling generous. Gather more than you need, as some will disappoint.

The Pressing Method

The old technique still works better than most gadgets. Place each leaf between two sheets of absorbent paper — blotting paper is ideal, though kitchen roll or plain newsprint does the job perfectly well. Sandwich that between further layers of newspaper, then slide the whole parcel between the pages of a heavy book. A large dictionary or an old atlas is perfect.

Stack several books on top for extra weight, and leave the parcel somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. Two to three weeks is usually enough for thin leaves; thicker ones may want a month. Change the absorbent paper after the first week, particularly if the leaves were at all fresh, as this prevents any faint mustiness developing.

You will know a leaf is ready when it feels dry and papery and holds its shape when you lift it by the stem. Handle pressed leaves with tweezers or by the stalk — the oils on your fingers can leave marks.

Arranging and Fixing Them to Cards

Blank cards of around 250 to 300gsm work best: heavy enough not to buckle when glued, but still light enough to post with a standard first-class stamp. Cream, ivory or soft grey stock flatters autumn colours far more than stark white.

Before you glue anything, lay your leaves out on the card and move them about until the arrangement pleases you. A single well-chosen leaf placed slightly off-centre and towards the lower third often looks more elegant than a busy cluster. If you are using several, overlap them gently and keep the stems pointing in a similar direction.

Use a clear-drying craft adhesive or a dab of PVA applied with a cocktail stick. Less is genuinely more here — too much glue seeps through the leaf and leaves a shiny halo on the card. Press the leaf down firmly for a few seconds, then leave the card flat to dry for an hour before writing on it.

The Note That Makes It Personal

A pressed leaf is lovely; a pressed leaf with a few handwritten lines is something people keep. Write in ink rather than biro, and choose a pen that flows easily so your hand stays relaxed.

You need not write much. A short line about where the leaf was found works beautifully: "Picked this on the lane behind the church, the morning the frost came." Mention the recipient by name, and sign off properly. If you are sending several cards, vary the wording so each one feels written for that person alone.

Storing and Posting Them

Pressed-leaf cards are delicate but far more robust than they look. Keep a stack on hand in a cool, dry drawer, separated by sheets of tissue paper, and they will last the season and beyond. Avoid anywhere damp, such as a kitchen windowsill or an unheated porch.

When posting, slip the card into its envelope with the decorated side facing the back, and add a thin card stiffener if you are sending it overseas. Do not seal the envelope immediately — give the glue a full twenty-four hours to cure, or the leaf may shift against the card as you write the address.

Then walk to the postbox, and enjoy the thought of a piece of your own autumn arriving on someone else's doormat.