You first will need to get started. Pick out any leaf with nice veins on the underneath side. A sand pile, plastic wrap, gloves ,mask, water, cement, and a bin or something to mix your cement in.

Shape you sand into a dome, making sure it's wide enough for the entire leaf to rest on with a few inches to spare. Now cover your dome with a piece of plastic wrap. The wrap will act as a barrier between the sand and the leaf, making clean up easier.

Put on your mask and gloves and mix up your cement. You will want to mix up enough cement to cover your leaf keeping the middle about 3/4 to 1 inch thick, and tapering out to the edges about 1/4 inches. Your cement should be like the feel of fudge. It shouldn't be to thin or it will run off the leaf.

Once you have covered your leaf with cement you then cover it with a plastic bag lightly over the top and secure with rocks on the corners, so it won't blow off. It takes a few days to set up depending on the size of leaf. You can begin checking after 24 hours. After it is completely dry gently turn it over. Do Not grab the edges when turning. Your middle (the thickest part) is the best area.

Now you start peeling off the leaf. Some of the leaf will stick in side the veins or other area's. That is normal and take a small pick or whatever you find that will work to get those area's. Peeling and clean up takes sometime to do on the bigger leafs.

Seal with a cement or outdoor sealer and your ready to paint or leave natural.

Since the 4th of July is just around the corner I decided to make mine red, white, and blue and even added a sparkling shine. Enjoy everyone!

My garden helper Bert. He loves getting into the spirit too.