September 8, 2015

DIY, Part 4

Hello hello! Hope everyone had a fun-filled Labor Day Weekend and celebrated the last breezes of the summer season. It's always a little bittersweet to see subtle tints of color creeping into the treetops, but there is so much to love about each season that i happily welcome this transition and look forward to seeing things i missed last year. Hope you spot some new stuff too!

For the next DIY from my Pinterest board, i made a "Leaf-relief Concrete Bird Bath" using an elephant ear leaf. I followed this excellent tutorial. The only things i did differently were to use a finer grain "play sand" and Quickcrete Mortar Mix, both from Home Depot. I wanted to use portland cement, but it only came in 80lb. bags!
materials gathered
leaf covered with concrete
This next part is critical. No matter how tempting it is, do NOT even try to turn the concrete-covered leaf over to "check" it for at least 24 or 36 hours. How do i know that, you ask? Well, i made a second bird bath with a larger leaf and made the hasty mistake of trying to pick it up too soon. It broke into many pieces that were unsalvageable. You're rewarded for your patience, though, because look how beautiful it is when you peel the leaf off! I was surprised at how many of the veins and details were transferred to the concrete.
peeling the leaf off
Here is the well-cured and water-filled birdbath ready for bathers!
And i was so happy to spot that little feather a few mornings later. I guess the birds like it as much as i do!
Have a beautiful day!
XO,
kate


5 comments:

  1. Kate, that's just beautiful! I really want to try to make one of these - I wonder if it will turn out as nice as yours?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have LOTS of Elephant Ears growing in the back yard....only in "these parts" it would be more of a mosquito bath, than a bird bath :-(

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely! Have this one saved for a future project, it'll be perfect near our new fish pond. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous project! I'm a bit of a birder too. I've got feeders around, but no bird bath. I may have to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's an amazing piece of art, Kate! I think the birds are definitely crazy about it. As well as I am. Hope to see more of your creations. Good luck with this! And wonderful day to you! Alise

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.