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Aug 8, 2011 7:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
This is a pretty easy project to do for your garden. Supplies you need are Quickrete Mortar Mix 10 lb. bag $2-3 at Lowes
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Water, moulds/molds, pail or bucket to mix in, a large spoon or paint stick to mix with and Pam or any cheap spray on cooking spray.

My moulds/molds are some that I have bought, but I always go back to the bakery cartons that you get when you buy cakes, cookies, pies at the store.

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First I clean all the molds and make sure they are dry, then I spray them making sure I get all the little nooks and crannies. Set them on a flat surface like a level table or the garage floor. Be sure to put newspaper down if you are afraid of getting cement on your table.

Now comes the fun part, I pour half the bag in my bucket and start adding water. The package directions call for 1 pint of water for every 10lbs of mix. I'm using half so I will start with just over a half pint of water. The reason I want to use more water than it calls for is because I am not going to use it for a mortar in between bricks which needs to be really thick, I want to pour it into the molds, I want the consistancy of a brownie batter.

Pour into your molds. If you are going to add glass, tiles or pebbles this is the time to do it. I like to have my design laid out ahead of time so all I have to do is transfer it over.

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Let dry 24 hours before you remove the stones from the molds. Let cure for another day before putting outside. If you are going to paint it, I recommend you let it cure for a week. Spray it with a clear spray paint first then paint, I use a veriaty of paints including exterior, and acrylic. When you've finished painting be sure to put a couple of coats of the clear on again.

The reason I recommend waiting a week to paint is because it is still curing and changing. Your paint will either crack or stretch and peel up.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
Last edited by Robynznest Aug 8, 2011 7:44 PM Icon for preview
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Aug 8, 2011 7:54 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
These are great, Robin!!! And they look like fun too. Hurray!
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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Aug 8, 2011 7:57 PM CST
Name: Sally
Wesley Chapel. FL (Zone 9a)
Tip Photographer Birds Tropicals Plant and/or Seed Trader Ponds Orchids
Hummingbirder Garden Art Region: Florida Container Gardener Cat Lover Butterflies
Awesome!!! Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!
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Aug 8, 2011 8:21 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Thanks, another storm coming in so I'm off till tomorrow, I hope.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Aug 9, 2011 3:59 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Nice work, Robin. Thumbs up
I garden for the pollinators.
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Aug 13, 2011 8:59 PM CST
Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Tip Photographer Region: Texas Butterflies Garden Art
Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds The WITWIT Badge Region: United States of America
Got to try these...you make it look so easy!
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Aug 13, 2011 10:21 PM CST
Name: Pegi Putnam
Norwalk, Ca. zone 10b
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Container Gardener Dog Lover Garden Art
Plumerias Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower
I seem to make every project I do a difficult job. Sure do like the easy stepping stones, always was going to try it and now I really think I can do it. Thanks for the instructions, Robin. Group hug
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Aug 15, 2011 6:36 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
Purslane Garden Art Region: North Carolina Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Robin, do you put mesh or wire or anything in the cement mix so when you step on them they won't crack?
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Aug 15, 2011 6:39 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Good question. Big Grin
I garden for the pollinators.
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Aug 15, 2011 2:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Thanks everyone.

No I don't put anything in them. I found it got to be too difficult to try and cover up or I had to make them thicker than I wanted which made them too heavy. Most people won't step on them anyway if they are decorated. I found they thought they would ruin the paint job or the stones. I use them all the time and have not had any break. (knock on wood) The resin ones from the store breaks real easy the concrete is not as easy. if you make it to thin then they might break. I like the to be at least an inch thick.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Aug 15, 2011 3:23 PM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
I really like this idea for gifts. And for myself too. Wouldn't take too long to create a personalized gift stepping stone. Big Grin
I garden for the pollinators.
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Aug 15, 2011 3:42 PM CST
Name: Charleen
Alford, Florida (Zone 8a)
Walk in Peace / I'm Timber's Mom.
Miniature Gardening Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! I sent a postcard to Randy! Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Mules Garden Ideas: Level 2 Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Beekeeper
Great Lesson Robin.... Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!
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Aug 15, 2011 4:00 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Thank you, this is very quick and easy and you add your own designs. Just think a Christmas present that is heavy and if it is wrapped up no one would be able to guess what it is.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Aug 15, 2011 4:58 PM CST
Name: Pegi Putnam
Norwalk, Ca. zone 10b
Charter ATP Member Region: California Cat Lover Container Gardener Dog Lover Garden Art
Plumerias Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower
I have some pans I got at the thrift store a couple years ago just for making my own stepping stones. I have too many things going on in my head, have to finish one project before starting another.
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Aug 15, 2011 5:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
The thing with these is you mix and pour in the morning and do other stuff all day long and then remove the stones the next day. Let them sit as long as you want before painting, But at least the stones are made for when you are ready to paint and if you decorate with glass, pebbles etc. They are done when you remove them. Easy peasy.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Aug 16, 2011 6:44 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
These days, I really appreciate easy peasy. Hurray!
I garden for the pollinators.
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Aug 16, 2011 8:50 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
Me too, time wise especially.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
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Aug 16, 2011 10:05 AM CST
Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Tip Photographer Region: Texas Butterflies Garden Art
Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds The WITWIT Badge Region: United States of America
Robyn....do you have a picture of a finished stone with the glass beads? I am seeing that they will all be flat on top, right? Is there any way to get stones on the other side to show?...guess I am saying where you can keep the edge detail.
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Aug 16, 2011 10:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Robin
Pittsburg, MO
I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member Garden Ideas: Level 1 Garden Art Birds
Orchids Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Region: United States of America Hummingbirder Region: Missouri Plumerias
I'll get a pic but they really look like the above pictures. I have not tried putting any on the bottom or the sides. It might be possible.
Save the planet, it's the only one with chocolate.
Image
Aug 16, 2011 10:17 AM CST
Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Tip Photographer Region: Texas Butterflies Garden Art
Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds The WITWIT Badge Region: United States of America
TY Robyn!

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