Mike, Check your telephone directory for "sandblasting equipment and supplies" and purchase a bag of fine sand. Because of restoring the cars, we have sandblasting equipment. I've had to use the sandblasting sand in a pinch when I've run out of sand for cement casting. Your right, it does make a very fine mix. I'll have no secrets left. LOL! Billie
p.s. have you looked at pottery supplies yet??!!

Thanks for the help once again. I have a few leaves left -Hydrangae and I want to try before it gets too cold.
Last leaves I did had too many bubbles got the answer about using the vibrator - will try it - shake out bubbles.

Was searching the web for good leaves and came across the fine sand.
What do you think about the vermiculate instead?
Thanks Billie

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:75198}}

Mike, Your frame is great!
I don't use vermiculite very often, too sparkly for me. I've used for planter but not leaves.
You can always use broadleaf evergreens: rhododendren, azaelae, viburnum. Billie

Mike,
Silica sand works good, but 'used silica sand works better.
It is 'broken' from sandblasting and has rougher edges, make the portland mix stronger rather than just fine sand. Although you have to sift used silica, to remove any foreign matter.
Marcia
Love your frame also!

Mike, You don't have to worry about strength for leaf casting. Fresh sand will be fine. Billie

Right now my leaves are just hanging around.

I am trying a easy way to fill in those pesly air holes.
Dry wall compound. It goes on easy with your fingers, I put on a very thin coat. Then wet it slightly and rub off the excess. Then take a dry brush and clean out the leaf veins. It will require that you paint and seal with a water proofer -but it is easy and it works so far
Mike

Mike, Are the holes that big or that many? Most people get them. Mine are usually tiny and once painted they are hard to see. Billie

One cause of bubbles in leaf castings is the sugar content of the leaf itself. The process of the plant readying itself for winter causes the sugar content in a leaf to rise. The sugar content is also concentrated by the lower moisture content of Fall leaves. Leaf sugar bubbles are usually found where there is direct concrete-leaf contact.
This sugar/cement reaction is well known in the concrete yard art industry. Sugar is often sprinkled into molds to cause bubbles thus giving the cast piece an "aged" look.

The leaf on the left was made during the early summer, and I used white portland, the one on the right was made in the late summer and I used regular gray portland.
Billie - some bubbles are ok - but the leaf on the right looks pretty bad - I am trying to figure out what happened, and what I can do to fix it.
{{gwi:75199}}

{{gwi:75200}}

Mike,

One thing I find is that the firmer the "patting" of the cement on the leaf, the fewer the bubbles...maybe kind of an exterior vibration. But more work keeping the edge in bounds because the patting spreads the cement. I have almost always used gray Portland type II cement and have had many smooth leaves. I typically use a one to one mixture of cement to sand. No problems with that mixture, winter hardy so far and I started casting leaves about 6 or 7 years ago.

The other thing to consider is how old was the cement? I think there is a shelf life for good performance.

Nice leaf picture on the left though... so we know you know how to make them!!

Nancy