Learning means accepting mistakes

I turned over my first ten stepping stones this evening and started the process of removing the leaves.  The thick kohlrabi leaves came off very easily.  In fact, I thought that I could almost use the again.

My first 10 stepping stones

The large rhubarb leaf just didn't want to give up the veins.  I'm not going to worry about it.  I know that in time, the veins will come out.  I'm not sure if you can tell.  But the surface if wavy.  I thought that I had it on a flat piece of ground.  But I guess that doesn't exist at my place.  The edges are the best on this one.  I must have rolled it up enough.  Something I didn't do well enough on all of them.  I need to pay more attention to the edges.  I need to leave more leaf so that I can curve the edge of the stone.

Large and Small rhubarb leaf stepping stones

These two pictures (above and below) are the three rhubarb leaves.  I love the way that the veins are so prominent.  I think that I might pick up a small can of dark stain.  Mix it with water and pour it on the top allowing the darkest colors to settle in the depth of the veins.

Medium rhubarb leaf stepping stone

The one thing that I must do is conquer the zucchini leaf!  I think this one would be so cool!! I thought that it looked like the leaf was crossing over itself.  But instead, the concrete filled in the openings.  That in itself would not be bad if I had been able roll the edges over.  

Zucchini leaf stepping stone

I need to look at this closer in the daylight.  In the dusk, it looks okay.  But I definitely will try this one again with a slightly different technique.

Zucchini leaf stepping stone

The odd shape of the kohlrabi leaf leaves a nice impact.  This was one that the edges poured over a bit too much and made them very rough in a couple of spots.  I figure that by the time that I set these in gravel, a rough edge isn't going to matter that much.

kohlrabi leaf stepping stone

The buttercup squash and the pumpkin both gave heart-shape leaves.  The challenge with both of those leaves is that they are flimsy and pulling them around to make a pretty edge is going to be a challenge.  But I have four more bags of concrete to perfect my techniques.  

Buttercup Squash stepping stone

I promise that I will put all of the steps in a future post.  I just wanted to make sure that I shared the initial trial of the stepping stones with you as soon as possible.  More to come!