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Sun, Jul 5, 09 at 7:20
| Finally had some time to make a few containers.
Mixed the concrete liquid dye found at the big box stores in two seperate batches. Then made two layers.
One planted
Mike |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by billie_ann 6b PA (My Page) on Sun, Jul 5, 09 at 8:32
| Mike, Like those two color combinations. How did you get such a distinct separation between the two? Almost looks like you added the second layer after the first started to setup. Was the second layer very dry? I've never had much luck using the box store colorants. I was just asking Jynja where she gets her colorant for her carved heads. I haven't done much with hypertufa experiments lately; mainly been making small plain pots for my faux bonsai class and working on my photography. I haven't touched my torch in a couple weeks but I've got to get out there cause I promised a sister a new necklace. With our USDA zone, I really should concentrate on hypertufa. I used all my leaves that I cast last year so definitely have to make more. I'm excited, getting a zero turn mower this week I hope, it's being shipped in. I enjoy mowing but it does take me 6 to 8 hours right now. They tell me that I'll cut my mowing time in half. Maybe I can steal those hours for hypertufa carving. Billie |
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- Posted by plantman56 z6 PA (My Page) on Thu, Jul 9, 09 at 20:49
| Thanks - It was not difficult. Use lots of dye. Place in one layer, then carfully place in the second layer. Did not wait. The trick is not press ( real hard)the top layer of hypertufa into the bottom. You must push the tufa in place , just don't get crazy and end up mixing together. The inside of the bowl is not that pretty but who cares that is where the dir goes. The next day pull out of the mold and then using a sharp tool ( like the pointed trowel) carfully score the line in between the too colors. That is what makes the distict line. So far I did three tufa and two leaf classes- I am always and thankful for all you helpful hints. Esp the one where you place the mix in the zip lock bag. The leaves this year are coming out better - no pin holes. I will do another batch in the fall - Read some where about the breaking down of the fall leaves and the sugars may affect the surface of the cement. Have you tried any more cement dyes or colors. So far the powered dye from Davis has worked best. I can pick up small affordable bags at the cement place. BTW just finished a cement sphere - Walmart had a 65mm exercise ball - It worked great. $10 and it come with a pump to reinflate. More pix |
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- Posted by billie_ann 6b PA (My Page) on Wed, Jul 15, 09 at 6:58
| Mike, Thanks for the explanaton on how you did your planters. Not sure if I heard that same comment "leaves and sugars" here. I don't believe it. Air bubbles/bugholes/voids happen. When you read different publications they say their caused by too much water, too much mold release, air whipped into the mix, surface tension on the leaf, etc. I don't mind them cause I don't mind the imperfect leaf. I've got some great new Summer annuals so I have to get moving if I want some of those shapes. I haven't ordered the dye yet; going to do that this week. I haven't done any really large spheres, just smaller ones for pond squirters. What are you using your large spheres for? Regarding the new mower, it's scary fast. I have a rollbar incase I go in the creek. My husband usually doesn't mow and he got out there to give it a try (everyone has been driving it). I now how a lot of donuts burnt in the grass or no grass where people did fast turns. Even with a learning curve I cut my mowing time down to 2.5 hours. Billie |
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