October leaf casting/things I learned

18 years ago

Since September 1 I have learned:

Throwing baby and wedding showers are stressful

Having a daughter with preeclampsia is stressful

Having a daughter who has an emergency C section is stressful

Having a grandaughter is wonderful

Having a husband who is bored and wants a separation is stressful

Spending almost all of 6 days in a hospital with above DD and GDaughter is stressful

Casting leaves is a stress reliever, Concrete does not behave the same at 50 degrees as it does at 90 degrees

Hollyhock leaves are near impossible to remove when cast.

At 50 degrees it is best NOT to move a leaf for at least 36 hours, maybe 48. People will call and let you come cut leaves if you post a wanted on FreeCycle. People will actually call you and let you come cut leaves if you leave a note in their mailbox.Fig leaves are very fragile, even when they are cast thick. You can go back and add a second or third layer of concrete to the back of a leaf.

All that said I'm trying to post a picture of the leaves I cast in October. Shall we say that my OCD got the best of me...trying not to think of the stress? Hope this works

Here is a link that might be useful: Here is a picture you might find interesting

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

lesdvs9
18 years ago
I'm very sorry for your problems and you do beautiful work. Congratulations on your new grandgirl though.
I set up a cardtable and trashbags in my dining room and I found doing a stepping stone at night is not the same as doing it during the day. I had to re work it 3 times and still not pleased with it.
gansn
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, things are going very well with the grandbaby and my daughter and I'm ignoring the separation thing right now. It always takes my husband a few years to get around to doing things, so, by then he may have forgotten.

I too have learned that working on things late at night is very different. I have a leaf sitting now that I put 3 layers of concrete on instead of my usual 2, because I forgot to put in the mesh I use for reinforcement. I may not be able to ever move it!! Usually I move things outside and spray them down once a day for the first month to strengthen them, but I'm afraid to move this big baby until it is strong. Maybe by Christmas?
Related Professionals
Torrington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aurora Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Keene Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Altoona Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rutland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Pine Bluff Landscape Contractors · Superior Landscape Contractors · Lubbock Landscape Contractors · Sanford Landscape Contractors · Dothan Tile and Stone Contractors · Elkton Tile and Stone Contractors · Greensboro Tile and Stone Contractors · Zanesville Tile and Stone Contractors · Greenfield Tile and Stone Contractors · Ottawa Tile and Stone Contractors
lesdvs9
18 years ago
I'm only doing 12"x2" stepping stones and even keep them in the house and keep them wet and spray them in here:) This way I can keep at them in the evening until I go to bed. I still am reinforcing the middle because I want these to be walk on not just decorative. I've been playing with some castings of leaves but not the way you are. With my left over cement I've been sticking a leaf down on a mold free form or in a dish and covering with cement and then pealing the leaf out. My grandkids have been doing both with me. They think the leaves look like fossils:) Especially a Boston Fern.

I was doing the stepping stones for myself but have been making more for Christmas gifts. In a hurry to finish to deliver them to family that is all together unexpectedly at Thanksgiving. Kind of hard and pricy to mail cement, LOL*

I glad your daughter and grandbaby are well, that's the important thing. Husband is questionable. Have a girlfriend who's left her just at their 30 year anniversary. I don't understand men, I am sorry just the same. I know there is a lot hidden behind the words.

Still think your work is terrific.
Leslie
TwoMonths
18 years ago
yep, those hubbys you have to ignore. Just start disappearing yourself once in a while and come home all spruced up and he will wonder what in the world are you up to. Just smile and say nothing, which will be true but make him wonder. Send yourself flowers with no card cause you love yourself. Just smile and make him wonder. Maybe he is just feeling unsure of himself for some reason and thinks rather than face you he will mention leaving. Catch him looking at you and give him a wink and a sly smile. Now some men are just darn jealous of their children and new grandbabies getting your time (cause that is all I talk about sometime, lol).
congrats on the leaves and on the GD.
pjtexgirl
18 years ago
Gansn,Gorgeous leaves!!! I hope to get that good. How long have you been doing this? I'm just starting out with hypertufa. I've been a gardener forever and needed LOTs of large,cheaper and fast draining pots. I developed a keen interest in containered trees,rock gardening and water gardens( tufa lined with EPDM to protect the water quality of course). The pots I "needed" started at 300.00 and I knew I had to find a cheaper way to support my gardening addiction.
I'm sorry about your DH. I think any woman could probably relate on some level. Congratulations on the GB!!! PJ