Author Topic: Finally! Downloaded pics of some of my leaf castings! (Read 2944 times)

Kittyzee · « **on:** September 15, 2010, 07:09:33 PM »

Yes, it's taken me a while, but I finally got them downloaded so I could share them. I tried to get some close ups of the intricate patterns that the cement picked up on the veins in the leaves. The large leaves are burdocks and the smaller one is a cantaloupe leaf. The first large leaf is the giant hosta: it was the first leaf I did. Every project is a science fair project--you never know how they will turn out.

I haven't painted and sealed most of them yet, I bought another sealer, a lower gloss one than I had before. I think I'll like it better.

The third pic still has part of the leaf stuck to it. You can't work that leaf off when the casting is still curing or it will remove the detail of the veins in the final product. So I'm waiting for it to dry and I'll work it out with a soft brush and the air compressor.

Esther · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2010, 07:16:09 PM »

I love the look. Gotta try that some day.

SueSTx · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2010, 07:18:02 PM »

Wonderful...such detail

bunny56lbc · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2010, 07:20:17 PM »

Looks really good !

bonnie

rdrboone · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2010, 07:20:40 PM »

Wonderful detail. Very beautiful.
Your leaf castings look relatively thin, how durable are they. Do you take them inside in the winter?
Ruth

Kittyzee · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2010, 07:25:50 PM »

Ruth, this is the first time I have done these. I will probably bring them in during the winter even though I will seal them, just because they aren't really heavy to move around and they don't need to be covered in snow and ice.

The hypertufa will probably be left outside since I have hens and chicks in them. If it melts down, oh well, I'll make some more next year...

it's just pearlite and peat moss mixed with cement. I gotta get busy with that before it gets cold here....

Jerry · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2010, 10:29:12 PM »

They would make a classy wall hanging

tugo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2010, 02:02:54 AM »

Congratulations LuAnn, very successful although it is your first time. The details are like the original.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2010, 04:42:22 AM »

Thanks everyone!

My sister-in-law made some with hangers in the backs of them to be hung!

Indiana Karen · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:10:25 AM »

Oh WOW

........those turned out really nice. The edges are so detailed and the veining too. I tried one with a rhubarb leaf this spring. It was a disaster. Still have all my stuff out back in the outhouse (my storage shed

) to do them with, just need the motivation.

trish · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:24:41 AM »

They look really awesome! Love the detailing.

emm · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:45:50 AM »

Love them!

They turned out beautifully, the detail is amazing. What did you do to get the leaf margins so perfect?

emm

Kittyzee · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:59:19 AM »

One of the things you do is use the 'back' of the leaf, the cement goes on the back instead of the front of the leaf. It's also important to make sure the leaf doesn't go all the way to the end of the leaf and get stuck in the sand you use to shape your leaf. When that happens, then the edges are rough and full of sand. The more you work the cement when it's on the leaf, the less air bubbles you'll have and the texture will be finer. It's easy, it's fun and it's cheap!

Desertponder · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2010, 10:36:26 AM »

They look great!!! I was hoping to do some more this year but just didn't get it done. Plus, its difficult to find large leafed plants around here.

I did pumpkin and squash leaves last year and they turned out pretty cool but I did something wrong when I mixed the concrete and most of them dried and cracked and crumbled completely apart. A few of them survived. And yes, I learned that too, its real important to not let the concrete go past the edge of the leaf or you have a messy, strange edge on the casting.

Shoestring Ponder · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2010, 11:35:14 AM »

How very cool!!

CyndiMO

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2010, 02:17:10 PM »

WOW! They look fabulous! I especially like the large leaf. Almost thought it was a real leaf until I looked a few times and read your description again to realize it is the casting.

Maybe I will be brave to try now with all your tips.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:10:00 PM »

Don't be afraid to try these, they are fairly simple. The leaves are thicker in the middle and they thin out towards the ends of the leaves. The cement doesn't set up for hours so you have lots of time to work with the ends and their detail. I think that's what makes these look so good--spending the time getting it just the way you want them. I wish I had some castor bean leaves: my SIL did a couple and made them very deep (like a bowl) and they came out so cool. I am limited with the leaves I have access to, but I'd like to make one from my daughters large taro before it gets cold and the leaves die off. These leaves will take a LOT of cement...

Julles · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:17:31 PM »

Those are nothing short of fabulous!

I was trying to figure out how you got the poultry to sit on the leaves all winter long. Then I realized, oh, THAT kind of hen-and-chicks.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2010, 06:25:19 PM »

at Julles! Well, my explanation wasn't very good either...the leaves aren't made from hypertufa, but I made some planters that were and THOSE have the hens and chicks in them....

jclements · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2010, 08:08:12 PM »

Very nice!,

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #20 on:** September 19, 2010, 04:43:50 AM »

Gorgeous! Someday I will try this.