We had a good crop of rhubarb this year, with big gorgeous leaves. I’ve been wanting to make a leaf casting, so we decided this was the year. Our friend Karen joined us and contributed some hosta leaves from her garden.
We cranked up the cement mixer and mixed up a bag of mortar mix, which dries to a pale gray and is nice and smooth, with no gravel, just sand which makes a nice smooth mix for casting. The leaf is 
smoothed over a mound of damp sand, shaped to form a bowl shape which will catch water and make a nice basin for a birdbath.
The mortar mix is patted over the leaf. Dan came up with the brilliant idea of using another leaf to make an imprint on the underside of the casting. Once as much mix as needed is added, the casting is allowed to set overnight. The next day, the leaf is removed and the 
veins in the back side of the leaf will have made an imprint of the casting.
I think they will look great tucked amidst the flowers gardens, providing a bit of watery respite for the backyard birds.
June 14, 2010 at 12:22 am
Those are just gorgeous! Hmmm, I wonder where I can find some giant-birdbath-size leaves.
June 14, 2010 at 12:54 am
I love them! What a neat idea.
June 14, 2010 at 7:02 am
Beautiful. Especially seeing them against the green grass. How big are they? I bet they could also make nice stepping stones if there was some way to make them thicker.
June 14, 2010 at 7:16 am
Mangochild, they will make good stepping stones, I have done that before. Plastic catering lids work great for that purpose. Arrange the leaf in the upside-down lid, add the mortar mix, tamping down as you go, and keep adding mix until you reach the desired thickness. Once it cures, just rip apart the plastic lid to remove it.
June 14, 2010 at 9:42 am
Those came out great!
June 14, 2010 at 10:07 am
Wow! Beautiful! What a great project. I want to make some, too.
June 14, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Oooh, we need to try this! We have hosta leaves, and this might be another reason to start growing rhubarb.
June 14, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Ali, this project has been on my “to do” list for two months, you have now provided me with the inspiration to accomplish this project! Your “casts” turned out awesome! Your gardens by the way look wonderful!
June 15, 2010 at 1:54 am
Wow, gorgeous! Now we are doing a fair bit of concrete work around here, so I could use a bit for a similar project. Thanks for the inspiration!
June 15, 2010 at 2:47 pm
those are beautiful! I want to make those now.
June 16, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Oh my goodness- these are amazingly beautiful! So simple and elegant! I want one!
June 22, 2010 at 11:45 pm
What a marvelous idea! there beautiful.
July 12, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Oh, just beautiful! I’m feeling so inspired now, I’m going to totally copy you. :D