When my youngest son, he is 38 now, asks what I want for my birthday I usually still have a project i can point to. Lol. Other boys send money and stay scarce until after the event has passed. They don't mind putting up ceiling fans or moving furniture but not too keen on outdoor projects.

You make me giggle, Bonnie, as I know the feeling! However, my middle son is close by and fortunately willing to build raised garden beds. The other two know how to live far away, gol durn 'em!

grannysgarden said:When my boys were young I gave them a summer project. I cut off the bottoms of plastic five gallon buckets and challenged them to make round stepping stones about two inches thick. They has six nice bucket bottoms and would mix once a week and let them cure before turning them out. I still have those stones. Maybe sixty or so.

Excellent thinking there, Bonnie!

I have been contemplating making my own stepping stones and matching stones for lining the beds, but want to use coloured cement in the mix and give them an uneven surface to make them look like those [censored!] expensive sandstone flagstones I have been foolish enough to fall in love with...

...thinking of the mess I would be making while trying this kind of makes me want to have a go!

I've seen where people have put a large leaf like one from rhubarb on the bottom of the mold, and when the cement hardens it has the print of the leaf in it. I have not ever done those, just saw them in pictures in magazines.

I also collect round glass globes from old light fixtures and full them with cement. After they cure i tsp the glass off and have cement orbs. Smaller ones are the size of bowling balls and make nice bed edging and bIg ones make great garden art. I have experimented with adding leftover latex paint to the cement. It works well and does not seem to make them any less sturdy.

HollyAnnS said:Ric cleaned out the center isle way of the barn for us to work in since the weather was a bit iffy. We started laying down some forms to add depth and support to the sand piles. Styrofoam, plastic bottles and stacks of wood. Then added the sand with a layer of plastic to keep the sand out of the cement while we were working it. Then we put down the leaf (face down), and poured the cement over it added a bit of wire screening for strength and another thinner layer of cement over that.

Th

Like this...from the garden art forum, titled cast cement leaves

Oh! Lots of useful tips and ideas!

I have seen those cement leaves, they look great when done right! I have rhubarb, but wonder what else might work? Hm...

Bonnie, do you have pictures of that coloured cement art? Sounds intriguing!

I don't think I have a photo but I can take one when it cools off a bit. For those that like the natural look you can place untreated, unsealed concrete items in a shady area and they will take on a greenish hue. During dry spells they will look normal but after rainy weather, or foggy weather, they will show off a nice green patina.

iris leaves, of course.

Muddymitts said:

What a great idea! Any idea where the molds are sold?

eBay !

I actually mold my own garden ornaments.

I also acid stain them myself.

WOW, Betsy! You do some of it all!

I'm sorry I was not watching the thread.

For those of you who are wanting to mold your own stepping stones...

You don't even need to order one off EBay or Amazon. You can just go buy a Jello or cake mold from a second hand store.

You can use plastic or metal, just oil the pan first.

Some of you may have a large round cake pan in your kitchen. It's like making mud pies. 😊😊😊😊

Didn't we all do that when we were little girls?

Good to put a little rebar or wire mesh in them.

Barbalee said:WOW, Betsy! You do some of it all!

You have no idea... Lol.

Ordered them on Ebay, got them this morning! Thanks for the great ideas!!

Betsy -- are your pictures showing sitting stools?

Muddymitts said:Ordered them on Ebay, got them this morning! Thanks for the great ideas!!

Betsy -- are your pictures showing sitting stools?

Rose Laden Bird bath top.


Full size concrete garden benches stained by myself to look like wood.


Full size garden bench stained by myself to look like SANDSTONE. That's a grizzy bear.



These two pieces you see sitting on the bench leg are Capital pieces. They can be used as a garden stool, stepping stool, a pedestal for a garden statue, or one each on the end of the bird bath pillar. If I turn one pillar upside down on the other they support the fancy rose laden bird baths real sturdy.




These are the ornamental concrete scroll bench legs. I stain them to match the top.
If I use two or three colors of stain it gives the concrete a SANDSTONE appearance.

I sell these custom made pieces to help pay for my gardening so I don't drain my husband's finances.

Flat amazing, Betsy! I'm impressed!

Thank you Dear!

That makes me feel good. ❤️