I thought I'd share the new project with you... I want stepping stones for the garden and yard. I want them to be large and odd shaped so I am going for the "dig the hole and pour the concrete in" method. We have been collecting lots of things to decorate with - I have a whole slew of odd, small crystals I want to use. I think they will be stunning night AND day. I'm going for reflective, magickal, I AM adding herbs, though different ones than the suggested ones.
Now Arin Murphy-Hiscock, author of The Way of the Green Witch suggests adding herbs to the concrete for protective qualities, and I kinda like that too -She says add one TB each of angelica, rosemary, cloves. You fill the mold halfway, sprinkle the mixed herbs on top of the concrete, then fill the rest of the way. She has the whole ritual thing going on, tapping times three, visualizing the protective energy...She suggests using the popsicle stick to draw your magickal symbols - making a starburst pattern with obsidian... the actual things you can do are endless.
Below is other info I have collected.
For the very creative and visual - - - http://www.glassartists.org/Gal4945_5._How_to__Make__a_Stepping_Stone.asp this is wonderful.
How to Make Your Own Unique Stepping Stones
By: Scott Byers , Posted On: 2006-08-14
Before beginning mixing and choosing the mold you want to make, you'll want to decide what sort of stepping stone you want. This is of course dependant on your personal preferences in design and where you decide to put your stepping stones. Some people use them as a pathway leading up to their home while others use them as a border around their backyard. Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your needs and looks good in the area you put it in.
The materials you will need to make your own personal stepping stone are as follows:
- Concrete and water
- Bucket to mix concrete in
- Mold to pour concrete in
- Stone mold 2 inches thick
- Newspaper or plastic wrap
- Wooden spoon or tin foil
Step 1. Make sure the area you are working in is properly prepared for the work you'll be doing. It's wise to lay down some newspaper or tin foil to protect your work area from mess. Make sure to do your work on a surface that the concrete will not stain.
Step 2. Pour the concrete mix and 2 cups of water into the bucket. If mix becomes too dry, add more water two teaspoons at a time. Follow the package instructions for consistancy because every writer has different ideas on this.
Step 3. Pour the stepping stone concrete mix into the unique mold you've picked out. If the mix still seems to dry, continue adding water one teaspoon at a time. Make sure that the mix is level with the mold, patting down the outside of it with the spoon, making sure no air bubbles are trapped inside.
Step 4. Wait about 30 minutes before putting any personal decorations on your stepping stone mold. You have many different choices when decorating your stone. You can use shards of broken glass to line the stone or hand prints or custom designs you can draw with a pencil or some other object. Make sure when putting any objects in to press them down halfway into the mold. If you make a mistake when putting in your pieces of glass or marbles, you can smooth out the imperfections and lay them down again.
Step 5. Finally the mold must sit for at least 48 hours without being touched or disturbed. Moving them could result in breaking them so they must remain in safe environment.
Step 6. After waiting period is over, remove the finished dried stone from the mold as you would an ice tray, plying it out gently. It might also be a good idea to let the stone sit undisturbed for up to a week without use.
Stones should not be raised above ground more than ½" for risk of people tripping and falling and also so the stone doesn't break.
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Fancy up the stepping stones by first adding marbles, little tile pieces, broken China, colored yarn, crushed glass or maybe seashells to the form before pouring the cement. When it sets, you turn it out and set in dirt. You can scrape out a place for the rock by first laying it in place, using a stick to draw around it, then scraping about an inch or two of dirt out of the hole before placing the stone.
If you want the stones to be flush with the ground, dig a hole, then pour the concrete directly into it. As it's drying you can push the marbles or cracked China into the cement, but be sure there are no sharp edges sticking out. Or you can use a stick to make designs on the stone, or write on it. Make hand prints on the stone before it dries by pushing the hand down slightly on top, with fingers spread out.
To make the stones turn out of the form easier, spray the container first with non-stick cooking spray or WD-40. Wipe the stones clean of the spray if you're going to paint them. You can paint them entirely or use stamps or stencils to make designs on the rocks. The stepping stones will set up quicker if they're left out in the sun to dry after pouring them into the molds.
To use a bowl for a stone, fill a large bowl about a third full, then let set. Turn out and dig a hole to place the rounded side of the rock down in. Dishes that will be re-used can be first lined with plastic to protect them.
You don't have to make small, round stones. The stones can be any size and any shape. To make big stones, you can use a large cardboard box, an old dresser drawer or another large form.
Some of these tips have been said already, but they are worth repeating. Read on and have fun making your stepping stones!
If you are using cement dye, remember that the wet product will always be a shade or two darker that your finished product.
For best results, your stepping stones should be at least 2 inches thick.
Let your stepping stone set in the mold for about 3 days.
Wetting the cement daily will help make the cement stronger.
Allow the stones to cure for a week before placing them outside or stepping on them.
When gathering items for embellishing your stepping stones, steer clear of wooden items because they don't stick into the concrete very well.
Get creative with your embellishments! Try seashells, marbles, beach glass, mosaic tiles, buttons, small toys, and mementos of any sort.
Make prints in the cement after it has set for between 30 minutes to an hour.
Besides handprints and paw prints. Try making prints with other items such as dog biscuits, leaves, cookie cutters, etc.
If you want to try making stepping stones with pans or other household items, buy them at garage sales or thrift shops.
Your cement should be the consistency of cookie dough. You want to have to scoop it into your mold, not pour it.
Once the cement is poured into the mold, do not move it! This can cause cracking.
If you make a mistake, you can simply remove the items, flatten out the top with the side of a popsicle stick or spoon, tap the sides to smooth, and start over again!
From a Reader: "I used a layer of sand on the bottom of the (cake) pan. When the mold was hard it pops right out, just brush the sand off the bottom and its ready."
From Debra in Illinois: Use glow in the dark items as embellishments for your stones!
From Mel in Walla Wall, WA: "When my parents' 50th anniversary was approaching, friends and relatives were asked to contribute a 12X12 quilt block for an anniversary quilt. We decided to do a hand and paw print block with my wife and I and our two akitas. We learned right away that having the dogs sit and dipping their paws in water and pressing them on a piece of paper became a game for them - hence no cooperation. Secondly, with no weight on the paw, you got a print that was smaller than the foot normally looked. So, here's how to get around that. Lead them around in some wet grass or through a puddle of water (even if you have to make one on the kitchen floor) and then immediately across a sheet of newpaper. Quickly out line the wet print on the paper with a marker and you have the makings of a pattern that can be used for stepping stones, applique, whatever."
