Sarah
Welcome to this forum. You will find lots of good information here. If you have made leaves you have the skills to make hypertufa, just different ingredients.
I would suggest you look at the frequently asked questions section. Lots of good formulas. They all will work.
I will link my blog, down at the bottom is my recipe and some picture .
Tips - wait until temps stay consistently at 50o F. It will help the mix cure better. Spray this inside of the mold with PAM cooking spray. Mix ingredients dry first then add water slowly until you get a meatball like consistency.
Keep the entire mix - in the mold covered with plastic bag for a about 30 hrs then remove and ruff up with wire brush, then put back in bag and seal for about 2-3 weeks.

Good luck and have fun. Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: My blog

pcbutt--I would like to know more about how to get the basket weave pattern. where did you get your book and what is on the cover? Knowing what is on the cover will make sure I get the right book. I'm not crazy about Martha but somethings she does are interesting.
Thanks
Brenda

Thanks Mike, I have your link in my favorites!! I'll check it out more when I have the time besides its still a little chily here in NW Ohio.

Thanks again, Sarah

I found the article on the Martha Stewart website. I don't know how to link the site but I'll try:

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pots-with-a-personal-touch?page=2

I hope it helps. I thought I would go to the $ store and buy some cheap baskets while all the Easter stuff is still out. I want to try it too!

Baskets are fun and easy to use; I make lots of troughs with them. There are so many shapes and sizes they make a great planter. Just line the basket with thin plastic and you can re-use it. The stiff band around the top of some baskets will have to be cut to release enough to get the trough out. You can just use your normal 'tufa formula. I use 2 Portland to 3 Peat moss and 3 Perlite with some reinforcing fibers thrown in and never have any problems.

Have fun!

For baskets, check out Goodwill or other thrift shops -- they usually have tons of them at low prices.

Sue

I'm confused: If you line the basket with plastic wouldn't it defeat the purpose of using the basket to get a basketweave pattern in the finished piece?
Has anyone tried the Martha technique? How did you do it?
I assumed the basket would only be used one- destroying it in removal.
thanks.

I've used many baskets as molds and yes, with the use of just one bag you can get a good impression. The only thing is that if you wirebrush to get the faux stone look, you'll take most of the impressions away. I guess to get that basketweave look, you'll have to have the smooth look of cement without the wirebrushed stone look.