Fossil/Skeleton leaves

Since I've been in love doing crafts right now, I just remembered something crafty I've done when I was in my 2nd year High school. Actually, it was our project in biology. Our professor taught us how to make a leaf skeleton (or also called a fossil leaf) It was really fun doing this and I think it's good as a decoration. :) The tools are very simple and you will simply get it in your house.

You only need a washing soda, a cooking pot, water, a toothbrush or a paint brush and of course the leaves. (you might want to use a leaves that has a thick skeleton like so it won't tear too easily)

First thing you have to do is to put the leaves in a pot. Choose a pot that is enough to put the ingredients inside. (Yeah, we're gonna cook! Haha!) Next is to add some 3 cups of washing soda and a same amount of water into the pot of leaves. Open your stove and let the it boil until the leaves goes soft.

So when you that it's boiling already, you can lower the heat and let it simmer for some minute. You'll see the leaves are becoming soggy and brown-ish (That's natural) and the water will dry out so before it happens, put some water into it again but you don't need to put another washing soda. Anyways, boiling this will take a lot of minutes or so. Patience is needed.

After that, gently remove your leaves from the pot. You don't want to break the leaves. If the water on the pot is still hot, you could wait for a while to let the water cool. That could also help to make the leaves easy to brush as the next step..

Itt's time to use your toothbrush or a brush. (If you're going to use toothbrush, just use your old toothbrush. Doesn't need to be new) then again, gently brush it to remove the excess pulp. Rinsed with water to make it more clean. Blow dry it or just put in into a paper towel to let it dry. Then you are done! You already have your own skeleton leaves, perfect for designing. You can also use some dye to color it if you want to. :)