Decorating Mulberry Paper

1. Rubber tree leaves and bodhi leaves look great when stuck on to mulberry paper or plain card to make cards and invitations

There are several ways of doing this to achieve great looking results but here are a couple of tried and tested methods.

Method A:

A general purpose latex adhesive such as PVA glue is the best glue for sticking skeleton and bodhi leaves. The adhesive is usually white and rather runny, but dries clear and virtually invisible.

First place the leaf to be glued onto a spare piece of card and apply the adhesive to the top of the leaf with the brush end of a toothbrush. Work the glue into the leaf so that it is spread evenly.

Lift off the leaf from the spare piece of card and lay in position where you want to stick it. Using the brush end of the toothbrush, gently wipe over the leaf to press it onto the surface. More glue can be added at this stage if needed.

Then turn the toothbrush around and use the handle end. Press and slide firmly on the leaf, working from the centre outwards. Then press and slide the handle end around the edge of the leaf. The glue will gradually disappear as it is absorbed by the paper or card. When there is no glue left on the leaf, it is ready. Put aside to dry.

Method B: Tew shows how it’s done (see video)

Tew says it is best to add a little water to the PVA glue to give a runnier consistency.

Using the brush end of a toothbrush, spread a film of glue a little larger than the leaves to a sheet of hard plastic. This film of glue may be enough to stick 4-5 leaves.

Pick up the first leaf to be glued and lay it onto the film of glue. Pat down lightly so that every part of the leaf is in contact with the glue.

Lift off the leaf from the hard plastic sheet and lay in position where you want to stick it. Pat the leaf down using your fingers and the heel of the palm then press and slide firmly on the leaf, working from the centre outwards. More glue can be added with the index finger if needed.

Put aside to dry and move on to the next leaf and card. (At this workshop another lady, Baa Long, uses a piece of scrunched up cloth to pat the leaves down rather than her fingers and palm. You may feel this is a little less messy, but the PVA glue does wash off the hands very easily afterwards).

However you decide to approach this you should work in an easy to clean area and enjoy the temporarily messy process that gives such pleasing results.