The Leaves of Change: Coffee Filter Fall Leaves

We had tons of fun creating this project.  From start to finish we worked on it together … and discussed the changes that were occurring in our life as a family … as well as the changing of the season around us.  It started off with seeing the Tie Dyed Coffee Filter Fall Leaves from The Chocolate Muffin Tree.

I started the project by taking an oak leaf from the front yard, of the house we currently live at, to trace it on the coffee filter.  Then, I put several filters together (like how they come packaged) and cut many “leaves” from the one that I traced.  The kids and I then spent the next couple days created different leaves when we had the chance.  We did this by scribbling on the leaves with washable markers and then taking a wet paintbrush to create a watercolor effect on the leaves.

The process had a very existential and sensory aspect to it as the sharp lines of the scribbles softened, faded, and blended together.  They CHANGED … very much like the world around us does in fall.  Very much like we all do through life.  This is how I discovered it would be a beautiful use of art media in play therapy to demonstrate and discuss change (a frequent and CENTRAL issue/topic in therapy).

After the leaves were complete and dry, I gave Henry the task of finding a branch from outside that we could use to glue the leaves on.  He completely the task superbly and found the perfect stick.  I then hot glued several of our favorite leaves onto the branch and tied long pieces of raffia on so I can hang it in our new house.

Made at, and from pieces around, our old house … to be hung in our new.  The leaves of change.