Materials:
-
Portland Cement
-
Sand, all purpose or play sand but never beach sand
-
Water
Other Options:
-
Cement reinforcer helps if you are making larger
leaves. You can buy this commercially. The addition of
lime also helps.
- A
“releaser” such as spray cooking oil for leaves that
don’t have smooth surfaces helps you get the leaf off
after curing.
-
There are concrete tints that you can buy. Leaves can
be painted after curing using craft acrylics. You can
spray them with a coating such as a spar varnish.
Steps:
-
Mix Portland cement and sand 1:1 ratio
-
Add water to make a thick batter consistency
-
Place leaf face down on solid surface (corrugated boxes
work well)
-
The surface shape can be changed with mounds of sand
-
Pour and smear concrete into desired shape
-
Let cure for 48 hours in a cool area (never in
direct sunlight)
Tips:
-
“Sugar” the edges of the leaf if mix spreads further
than you want it to-this means sprinkle sand on the
area, you can then just cut it off. You can also use
sand to stop the flow of the concrete
-
In hot weather (over 80°) mist item at least 2 times
daily
-
Be careful to make concrete thick enough on deep veins
-
Never place new leaves in ponds or under/near plant
materials that need an acid ph.
Fun Books
A Garden Gallery
by George Little and David Lewis shows their incredible
garden and creations but no helpful how to’s.
Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden
by Sherri Warner Hunter has projects by various artists.
This book gives information on cement and various mixtures
that can be used.