Leaf Luminary

Missed my fun Halloween projects?  Check them out at  Halloween Inspiration- Projects, Decor & Treats.

I decided to try making a leaf luminary with C since he's incessantly collecting things from outside.  He also has a talent for finding the largest leaves I've ever seen.

I wish we'd done this earlier in the season since the coloring on the leaves would have been more vibrant.  Oh well, it still looks good!

Here's what you need:
Leaves (real or fake- they both work!)
Modge Podge (I picked up glitter modge podge!)
Jar
Old newspaper, magazine, etc.
Foam brush or paintbrush

First make sure the leaves you really want to use will fit on the jar you've selected.
Then, set your jar and leaves on spread-out newspaper.
Coat the back of leaves with modge podge and press on to jar.
Coat top of leaves with modge podge.
It's highly likely they won't all fully stick to the jar.
Let dry overnight.

 This is what it looked like after one coat (not all sticking to jar).

Coat entire jar and over leaves with modge podge(especially where they didn't stick the first time).
Let dry overnight again.  You really don't need to dry overnight, it's just easier!

Add candle (we used a fake one so C could turn it on and off as he pleased).

C loves his own luminary!  He turns it on each morning at breakfast and each evening at supper.  He of course asks for the lights to be off for a while too.

Tips:
For the second layer of modge podge, and probably for the first, it might be helpful to lay it to dry for a little while so the leaves stick better.  This seemed to be a problem, which I solved fairly well during the application of the second coat.  Just let it dry a little before laying to dry and don't leave it on it's side too long.  Rotate as needed.  As you can see, ours isn't perfect.