| Stepping stones can be used for many different | | | | bag makes about 10 stones. You can also |
| things. A common use for them is around the | | | | purchase stepping stone concrete at craft and |
| house and the yard to make your home have a | | | | garden stores. |
| more artistic, sanctuary-like feel. It gives your | | | | Secondly, youre going to pour the mixed up |
| living space a unique and special signature. | | | | concrete into the mold. To make getting the |
| Whether youre using your stepping stone mold to | | | | finished stone of the mold easier, you may want |
| create a walkway to the front of your house | | | | to spray around the top of the mold with |
| from the driveway or a decorative stepping | | | | non-stick cooking spray. Make sure to pat down |
| stone path around your garden, this article will | | | | flat the mixture and also the outside of the mold |
| discuss the steps involved in creating your own | | | | to get out air bubbles. When the cement mix is |
| unique stepping stones and all the different uses | | | | too dry, the stepping stone can crack, the |
| that stepping stone mold offers. | | | | surface can crack when decorating, and the |
| First, youll want to decide what you want to use | | | | surface can dry uneven and grainy. Even if the |
| your stepping stone mold for before you get | | | | cement mix seems dry, continue to mix until all |
| started. The mold can be used for more than just | | | | cement is completely mixed. Then, if it is too |
| simply pathways. You can use your personalized | | | | thick, add water only 1 tablespoon at a time and |
| stepping stones to create a fence around your | | | | mix completely. |
| garden to add a dramatic look to it. It really just | | | | Leave the mold to sit for a few minutes before |
| depends on what you want to use them for. | | | | you put any decorations on it. If you so choose, |
| If you wish to start from scratch, here are some | | | | you can put on such things as coins, leaves, or |
| of the materials youre going to need to craft | | | | pieces of broken tile. Be sure to wear safety |
| your stepping stones: bag of quick-setting | | | | glasses when breaking up the tile with a hammer. |
| concrete, bucket for mixing,water, shovel or hoe, | | | | If you do choose to put in the tiles, press them |
| container for use as a mold (at least 2" tall), coins, | | | | into the surface of the concrete. If you make a |
| leaves, broken tile or other hard items for | | | | mistake, you can just take it out, smooth over |
| decoration, old spoon. Keep in mind that no | | | | the mold with a spoon, and lay the tile down |
| matter what size you want your stepping stones | | | | again. You may also want to write or draw |
| to be, they must be at least 2 inches thick. Also, | | | | imprints in the stone for special designs that make |
| youll want to make sure that your work area is | | | | your stepping stone even more unique. If details |
| protected by plastic wrap or newspaper as to | | | | in the drawing begin to fade, wait 3-5 minutes |
| avoid a mess. | | | | then retrace. |
| Some tips for creating your stepping stones | | | | Now the stone needs to sit for a good two or |
| before you begin: | | | | three days undisturbed. After the two to three |
| -Dont work outside; the wind will dry the stone | | | | day period is up you can remove the stone by |
| faster and is not recommended. | | | | simply popping it out of the mold. A good tip is to |
| -Dont make your stone on the carpet; the | | | | leave your stone untouched for another week or |
| cement will be very difficult to get out. | | | | so before putting them outside or stepping on |
| First off youll want to mix the mold in the bucket | | | | them. They should also never be raised more |
| youve prepared following the manufacturers | | | | than inches above the ground to prevent |
| instructions closely; making sure that the mold has | | | | breaking. |
| the consistency of peanut butter. One 60-pound | | | | |