I moved the order of the photos in the album and now that link won't work. Sorry. try this instead

Here is a link that might be useful: faux hypertufa pics

How clever. The planted ones look great. You must live in a better neighborhood than I do. You have curbs and neighbors that buy frozen steaks. We don't have curbs where I live and have to raise our own steaks.

Very clever indeed suzen. You have a great eye for color and form. I really liked that hosta star and also that circular form that I think you used for a bird bath. Did you explain that circular one on another thread? If not I would love to know how you did it. Your gardens are gorgeous by the way. Adele

Thanks for the kind comments. Fleur, we don't have curbs or buy frozen steaks, but I drive through areas where people do! Adele, yes it was posted before but I'm happy to repeat: Mound sand. Cover with plastic, spray plastic with spray adhesive so it will hold the leaves without them slipping. Arrange the leaves. I used Japanese primrose. Pat on concrete starting at the center and working out to the edge. Paint with craft-store acrylics. Spray with a clear coat to make cleaning the bird bath easier. When I made it I thought it was too shallow, but I'm happy to report it worked out fine this summer and the birds loved it.

Here is a link that might be useful: birdbath bowl

You have given me lots of ideas to try. Thanks. Loved all the pictures.

Sue, loved you cement work on the leaves. I got started doing this in August and totally enjoy casting leaves. How particular were you when you mixed your cement? I've been using a 3:2 ratio with the cement and white sand, respectively. Also, how do you cure your pieces? Do you submerge after initial 48 hours of curing?

Rex

Rex,many on this forum encourage experimenting so that is what I have been doing--and encourage you to do, too. I have never submerged anything. I unmold after 24 hours,clean it up and rub off anything I don't like by using a broken piece of concrete and some dental picks, spritz with water and re-wrap in plastic for a few days. So far our NE Ohio winters have not cracked anything. I've even left one leaf out with water in it freezing and thawing all winter and the only thing that happened was some minor flaking which a paint touch-up cured. I've used portland/play sand/ w some additive in the water and also has success with leftovers from a bag of concrete driveway patch. Last weekend I found a bag of white quickwall and used that. I found it sticky and so harder to work with.
Sue

Sue, I would love to exchange some ideas with you if you're still involved with casting leaves. You can reach me outside of this forum at rex@rideout.com. Thanks.
Rex