Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves Part 2

Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves – Part 2: Adding Finishing Touches to a Festive Decor Piece

Introduction

Welcome back, creative friends! 🍁 As Thanksgiving approaches, we're completing our Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves project, a vibrant and heartwarming way to reflect on gratitude. Last week, we painted our leaves in rich, autumnal colors, setting the stage for today’s finishing touches. In this part, we’ll dive into mark-making techniques, giving our leaves extra depth and meaning. Whether you’re crafting a festive garland, creating a gratitude table setting, or making a personal keepsake, these beautiful watercolor leaves will brighten up any space.

Grab your favorite supplies, settle in, and let’s complete this wonderful Thanksgiving project!

Project Overview: What Are Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves?

Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves are a simple yet powerful way to bring the spirit of gratitude into your holiday decor. Each leaf becomes a canvas for both color and reflection, a place to celebrate what we’re thankful for. In Part 1, we painted our leaves using watercolors, infusing each one with warm, autumnal hues. Today, we’ll bring these leaves to life with final marks, adding personality and presence.

The beauty of these gratitude leaves is their versatility. You can create a garland, decorate your Thanksgiving table, or keep them in a bowl as a reminder of what you cherish most.

Supplies Needed for Part 2: Mark Making Materials

Our Featured Supply in today’s video is all about mark making—a technique that adds unique touches and textures to your work. Here are some suggestions for creating bold, interesting marks on your leaves:
- Charcoal – Adds texture and dramatic contrasts.
- Ink (Sharpies or Indian Ink) – Perfect for adding crisp details.
- Stabilo Woodys and Neocolor Crayons – Great for layering and adding pops of color.
- Watercolors, Black Pens, and Pencil Crayons – If you’re missing ink or charcoal, these alternatives work beautifully, too.

Find these supplies at craft stores like Michaels, Amazon, or your local art shop. Feel free to get creative with whatever you have on hand!

Guided Meditation: Sensory Relaxation

Before we begin adding our final marks, let’s take a moment to relax and center ourselves with a Sensory Relaxation session. This meditation helps us connect deeply to our senses, grounding us in the present moment. You’ll become aware of each sensation—touch, sound, sight—allowing you to engage with your artwork from a place of peace and focus.

Meditation helps us bring mindfulness into the creative process, so our art becomes a reflection of our calm and gratitude.

Art Project: Adding Final Marks to Thanksgiving Gratitude Leaves

Now, let’s get into the art! For today’s session, we’ll use our mark-making materials to add dimension and detail to each leaf. Here’s how you can use your leaves once they’re complete:

1. Create a Garland: String the leaves together to make a festive garland. Hang it above your table, on your mantel, or by the entryway to welcome guests.

2. Thanksgiving Table Decor: Use each leaf as a place marker or decoration on the Thanksgiving table. Encourage guests to write something they’re thankful for on the back of each leaf—these can spark beautiful conversations around the table.

3. Personal Gratitude Bowl: Keep a bowl of gratitude leaves as a personal collection. Write what you’re grateful for on the back, and pull out a leaf each day in the weeks to follow, reflecting on these simple blessings.

Oracle Card Pull: A Moment of Reflection

To wrap up our session, I’ll pull an oracle card from “Namaste: Blessing & Divination Cards” by Toni Carmine Salerno. Today’s card invites us to look within and send love to our inner wounds. This is a gentle reminder that our gratitude can extend to all parts of ourselves, even those that need healing.

As you finish up your gratitude leaves, take a moment to reflect: What’s one thing you could show more kindness to within yourself? Our art can be a space for both celebration and self-compassion.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Gratitude Through Art

This project is more than a holiday craft; it’s a celebration of gratitude, connection, and creativity. As you place your finished leaves around your home, may they serve as a reminder of what’s important and precious in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! 🍂✨ Whether you’re making this project solo, with family, or friends, I hope it fills your space with warmth, color, and joy.

Ready to Begin Your Creative Journey?

Catch the full video on YouTube, and follow along as we complete this beautiful Thanksgiving project. Be sure to check the timestamps in the description so you can jump to any part you’d like to revisit—whether it’s learning about supplies, a relaxing meditation, or the oracle card reading.

Happy creating, and may your gratitude leaves bring you a sense of peace and joy this holiday season!