Decorative cement leaves make a unique porchside statement for any time of year. The how-to comes from in-house crafter Jim "Figgy" Noonan.
Tools and Materials
- Large plastic bin
- Sand, sifted to eliminate debris
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Large leaf (such as Alocasia or Hosta)
- Portland cement
- Rubber gloves
- Sandpaper and/or wire brush
- Acrylic paint and paintbrush (optional)
Cement Leaf How-To
1. Fill a plastic bin with several inches of sand. Spray sand with water, then make a mound of damp sand in the middle of bin.
2. Place leaf facedown on mound of sand.
3. Make a mixture of one part Portland cement to one part sand. Add water until mixture is the consistency of thick mud.
4. Wearing rubber gloves, scoop some cement mixture onto leaf. Spread to cover back of leaf, pressing down lightly to remove air bubbles. Continue adding and spreading mixture over leaf until about 1 1/2 inches thick on middle of leaf, thinning to about 1 inch thick at the edges.
5. Let cement set for 12 to 24 hours, then lift from sand and peel off original leaf. Use sandpaper and/or a wire brush to smooth any rough edges.
6. Let cement cure for an additional week before painting, if desired.
Resources
All tools and materials available at The Home Depot.
I learned how to make these cement leaves in my master gardener class! Love them SO much.. & get so many wonderful compliments on them all. I especially love the very large ones (almost 3 ft!) and use them as birdbaths and eye catching table centerpieces. Simply B. EAUTIFUL!!
I am making them for flower & garden shows.. and hoping to be a vendor at the Trade Secrets CT show in 2013.
I also make hypertufa pots.. very cool as well. Check them out at oldstonepots.com :)
~Kate
I would also like to know what to put on these so that you can serve food on them or eat off them
These are awesome. Is there something you could spray over them to make them food safe? I thought they'd be a great way of putting out hor d'oeuvres or snacks at a party.
OLD CRAFT...I HAVE BEEN MAKING THESE FOR YEARS THE IDEA ORIGINATED IN A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE I BELIEVE OR MAYBE BETTER HOOME AND GARDEN...RHUBARB LEAVES ARE THE BEST ..OR ELEPHANT EAR ..YOU CAN MAKE A FOUNTAIN OUT OF THEM OR BIRD FEEDER...I JUST DUMP MOUNDS OF SAND ON GROUND AND MAKE THEM...LOVELY TO SEE AGAIN THOUGH..BUT HE SHOULDN'T TAKE THE CREDIT..OF THE IDEA...
just watched the segment on the cement leaves. My mother has been making these for years. She makes small bowls, plates. stepping stones and bird baths. My father built her a box especially for the sand and molds, She uses hosta, rubarb and castor bean leaves. thanks carolyn