Elephant Ear Casting

rakenleafs · Post by **rakenleafs** » Sep 07, 2006 11:34 am

I don't think I have ever had a casting come out so perfect! Every vein showed up.. even the tiny ones. It is not painted, nor the edges cleaned up, but I couldn't wait to share.

Fran

petal*pusher · Post by **petal*pusher** » Sep 11, 2006 4:59 pm

It is amazing how beautiful it is! Someday.....I plan on doing this.....I'm so impressed at how they turn out.

Is this a difficult process?......p

rakenleafs · Post by **rakenleafs** » Sep 11, 2006 6:21 pm

No it wasnt hard at all.... 40 lbs cement, 40 lbs sand, a gallon of water, and one hugh leaf (I used an Elephant Ear leaf, 24" long X 18" wide)
Mound the sand, cover with thin plastic (can be an opened trash bag), lay the leaf face down, make sure the sand is piled up to support the leaf, my leaf had quite a "cup" to it so I needed a lot of mounded sand in the center. Mix the cement w/ water till "brownie mix" texture, plop then pat in onto the leaf, I tried to get it about 3/4 to an inch thick all over, a little thinner at the edges but not to much.... then let it dry for two days, lift carefully, you have to work under and loosen the sand, get some air back in there... turn your leaf over and let dry for about a week.
I had the sand, the cement was on sale for $1.79, sand would have been $3.00... so you can make one for under $5.
Try it... I procrastinated for 3 years.. thinking, planning, finally I just did it... took all of an hour!
Good luck
Fran

rakenleafs · Post by **rakenleafs** » Sep 11, 2006 6:31 pm

Here is a second photo that shows how much detail really did show up.

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Sep 12, 2006 12:21 pm

OMG Fran! How awesome!!!

Okay... I see you are from central Illinois... do you live close to me??? I have some huge elephant ears!

rakenleafs · Post by **rakenleafs** » Sep 12, 2006 10:38 pm

I live near Champaign, where bouts are you?
Fran

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Sep 13, 2006 8:51 am

I live near Pontiac... pretty close!

petal*pusher · Post by **petal*pusher** » Sep 13, 2006 3:38 pm

Heck! I wish I lived closer to BOTH of you! We could get together and actually make some of these beautiful leaves!......p

rakenleafs · Post by **rakenleafs** » Sep 13, 2006 6:19 pm

That would be fun... a girls day, playing in the cement (mudd)