Painting on Preserved Maple Leaves

I have been experimenting again.  This time with preserving maple leaves with a Glycerin solution.  I have so far painted six different leaves, and preserved or am working on preserving another 50 or so leaves. 

These paintings should make great holiday gifts - at least for my side of the family.  Let me clarify, my side of the family would prefer to receive hand made gifts from me whether it be homemade lefse, jams, doughnuts or something crafted or painted.  My brothers especially love to receive handmade gifts and I like making the gifts for them.

Back to preserving leaves - you can find glycerin at Hobby Lobby in the soap making aisle.  Use one part Glycerin to two parts water.  Put your leaf stems into the solution for one to two weeks.  Leaves will take on a leather feel.  Press between newspapers or a leaf press for a few more weeks.  You can then paint with acrylics or oil paints. 
As far this picture, I wasn't sure what I was going to use for matting or how I was going to frame this piece.  I happened across some wood sheets - a very thin laminate on paper- at Michaels in the clearance aisle.  It was just what I was looking for.  I love the wood grain as it goes so well with the naturalness of the leaf.  Guess I am going to have to pick up some more of these sheets.  The sheets are from a company at www.creativeimaginations.us  and they come in different sizes.