DIY Custom Switch Plates N Outlet Cover From Cement

I recently got hooked on making cement leaves, so I wanted to try my hand at making a switch plate and an outlet cover. I will tell you it would have been easier for a GFI type of outlet ( that tiny space between the two outlets with little tiny screw was a challenge. To keep cost low, try to reuse items that otherwise would go into your recycling bin for containers and surfaces.
I have another instructable for matching your travertine tiles.

Supplies

Cement ( not concrete)- quick set works well.
sand
water
latex gloves
container to mix in ( empty food container from cottage cheese or similar is fine)
plastic spoon or whatever to mix with
cheap vegetable oil
Leaf with raised veins on back side that is big enough to cover switch plate
flat surface to work on ( could be thick piece of cardboard, plastic tray, plastic lid, piece of scrap wood….)
flexible thin foam wrap sheet piece like the kind that is wrapped around breakables
smooth flat piece of plastic to press on top of cement ( old CD case or clear plastic lid to food container)
Optional: paints

Step 1: Getting Set Up

You will need to use your old switch plate as a sizing guide to select a leaf big enough ( hosta and hydranga work great) and for openings.
Trace old switch plate or outlet cover onto the sheet foam, very precisely marking the cut-outs and screw holes. Only cut outside dimension; save cutting cut-outs and screw holes for later.
Place chosen leaf raised vein side up onto your flat surface. Make sure you have a leaf that lies flat and that your working surface is level. Lightly coat vein side of leaf with vegetable oil. Note: Coconut oil does not work well for this one.
Having everything ready before you start mixing the cement.

Step 2: Mixing

Follow instructions on cement bag for water, sand and cement. Better to error on slightly more cement, less sand and less water to start. You can always add more water as mixing. Only prepare just enough, since any extra will become trash.
Best to mix the sand into the cement thoroughly first, then add water as needed , mixing to a consistency of peanut butter or thick frosting.
Spoon mixture evenly onto your leaf. If some runs over edge, scrap away while still wet. Place greased side of foam template on top. Now use CD case (or plastic lid ) to lightly press cement to become a flat switch plate. Want this thin enough for screws to reach thru, but not so thin it will break.
After this sets up just a little bit, but is still soft, use and old knife to cut thru the template cutting out the openings for your switches or outlet and poke holes for the screw holes. Leave the remaining template in place until completely set.

Step 3: Setting

While cement is setting, mist it occasionally to keep it from cracking. If dries too quickly, it will crack. Let set for at least a day.
Once it is hardened, peel off the foam sheet template to check on things. Then peel off the leaf to reveal the vein imprint. Beautiful! ( The unpainted one shown was not for wall plates, but just a cement leaf to show you how it will look).
You may need to do a little sanding to get things to fit perfectly. You can use either heavy grit sand paper or the little left over pieces of cement for this.
After all fits on the wall, test with screws.
Optional : After drying another day, have fun painting with acrylics or house paints or stain or oils. Personally, I like to paint a base that will be the color of the veins first, then dab and rub with a rag the other colors on the surface.
Enjoy😊