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florjus blog

WINTER 2026

Pressed Freeman Maple Leaves Front and Back

I'm not against effort and plans. But I absolutely love it when the outcome surpasses effort and plans.

Behold the unexpected ghostly elegance of a Freeman Maple (Acer x Fremanii) leaf's backside.

The chalky white backside of three large freeman maple leaves.

Three deep burgundy freeman maple leaves laid flat on black card stock.

The chalky white backside of three diagonally laid large freeman maple leaves.

Pressed Leaves II

I had no expectations for any leaf I stuck in my little notebook. It was a "wait and see" thing. Some leaves retained their color but not the vibrancy. Most dried without crumbling but still needed delicate handling. Surprisingly, many stems didn't break off.

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Photo 1: Green Freeman Maple (Acer x Fremanii) leaf looks like it was dipped in wine. Little heart shaped Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) leaf. Yellow and faded red Freeman Maple leaf. Bright yellow Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) leaf from a sapling. The decoratively cut leaves don't grow on mature trees.

Photo 2: The center leaf is the iconic maple leaf shape. It's also from a Freeman Maple tree. I'm sure it wasn't originally a deep black plum color. That's okay. It's stunning in form and color. So elegant with the long stem attached.

Autumn leaves in various shapes, colors and sizes on tan paper.

Three large burgundy maples leaves surrounded by three burgundy viburnum leaves and one small burgundy maple leaf.

Large, medium and small spade shaped leaves arranged on tan paper.

Pressed Leaves I

In autumn 2024, I collected interesting leaves in various colors and shapes . I stuck them between pages of a homemade notebook made with recycled printer pages and closed it tight with rubber bands.

Then I forgot about the notebook for almost a year. When I remembered the notebook, I procrastinated taking the photos. How would I arrange the leaves? On what background? Paralyzed by perfectionism.

Determined to not drag this into 2026, I took the leaves out the notebook and went with the flow. I'm happy with the results. Best of all? I had fun.

Perfection is overrated.

Six pressed autumn leaves in various shapes and sizes on black card stock.

Yellow and brown pressed autumn leaves in various shapes and sizes on black card stock.

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