Off topic a bit- Need some advice on leaves

Kristi: If the brug leaf is on the left, against the stone please confirm.

Love your work - you are gifted.

pirl it is! I'm going to paint a very large one today. It's about 14 inches long.

How are the leafs being used?? Inside, outside, both, and for what purpose besides being beautiful???

If I were given the small ones as a gift I'd use them as markers for my hosta garden. Let's see the darn squirrels toss these around!!!

Wow, Kristi!!! You've done a fabulous job!!! I luv the painted ones.
:) Donna

They look great!! I have got to give this a try,Psssst,I hate painting too!

Datdog, They are wonderful! Painting looks great. I've been a serious artist for 40 years if that helps
Donna W

Just looked up the hyperlink provided by MaryinLA - thanks so much. It may be easy (as someone said) but it's still looks painstaking and makes me appreciate your great work even more. Thanks for sharing!

Kristi, I was impressed by these when you posted them last year. They are really pretty. You know, we are all our own worst critic. If you were patting yourself on the back saying how great they were, I'd be worried about you! LOL The fact that you are selling them, making money with your craft-that is your best compliment. The people buying them do not know you and they are buying them because they LIKE them! Now go somewhere that no one can see you and start patting yourself on the back!!! Hugs!!

Kristi, Here is that Hyper Tufa EE leaf. I use cement coloring in the mix. It measure 28"X19" and weight 9lbs. I have done other leaves smaller in size with sand cement and peatmoss and they weigh considerably more. I think it kinda has a fossil look to it.

I have got to try this,Kristi they look great!!

Here are the two cement castings that I painted. I like the one without the varnish better. The hyper tufa leaves don't paint very well being so rough. I can't wait to try the staining that you have done. Come ON Big Leaves... Grow Grow Grow so I can Cast you....LOL

Wow,They all look great!,I think a fountian of big leaves would look nice.

I bet these would make a great one.


Gunnera manicata ... I think

This message was edited May 8, 2005 8:52 AM

You should try it sometime Root. With all the big leaves you have in your garden you should have fun. This gunnera leaf is gonna get slabbed this week...LOL

Thanks rootdoctor! I have this very big, old, gray cement, wavy edged, leaky birdbath complete with pedestal. Given by a now late neighbor. I could line it with these leaves!

Wow your Gunnera is a beauty Kell. And yes those leaves are perfect for bird baths and fountains.

I would love one for a birdbath. I just love them.

OK>>>OK>>>Can someone please share with us how to make the molds and all !???
Is there a good web-site for instructions? Or can someone post some! I love them too!

There are as many recipes and methods as there are leaves in our gardens. :-)

Here's a link to a thread about Fossil Leaf mirrors and leaves by themselves. They are fun to do and an easy project for anyone to do. I think Kristi already mentioned she was waiting for it to warm up.....that's the thing I found.....temperature is important. Too hot and the mixture dries fast and can cause cracks, too cold and it takes forever for them to set up and dry.

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/485498/

OK~ Here is a thread of Kristi's.
There is a hyperlink in it with some intstructions. Hope this will help.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/384766/

KRISTI: For those of us who would like to try it can you tell us the leaves you had the most success with and the ones that failed you? Thank you.

Kristi, your leaves are spectacular. You are wrong to think you can't paint. Hopefully, you will continue to make and sell these. I know you will be quite successful.

Kin, your leaves are great, too. You have both inspired me.