Tuesdays are "I Tried It Tuesdays" where I'll tell you about something I recently tried -- an item, a movie, an activity, etc.
Today's topic: Do-it-yourself stepping stones
What it is: Concrete stepping stones you can create yourself.
Why I love them: I make one each year with each of my kids on (or around) their birthdays. I line the finished stones up in my flower beds and you can see the progression from teeny toes and fingers to big-kid digits. The kids love making them (it's a birthday tradition now). They also make great gifts for grandparents (do one for each grandchild and build them a little path of kiddie prints).
What you need: Plastic concrete form, $4; Concrete mix, $6 for an 8-inch stone, $8 for a 12-inch stone; Water; Bucket; Mason's trowel
Optional Accessories: Letter stamps, $5 to $8 a set; adornments $5 to $8 -- beach glass, aquarium rocks, tile pieces, glass bits, etc.
Is it hard? Not at all. Just follow the directions on the box of concrete to mix it up. Then, follow the instructions on this Download file">PDF to create your stone.
Keys to success?
1. Measure water exactly
2. Choose your location carefully. Once you've done the stone, it must sit for 24 hours. If you move it..it will break (trust me...I know). Pick a place out of sunlight (rain) and foot traffic.
3. Buy the special stepping stone concrete mix at the craft store. I've made these with regular concrete mix from the hardware store and every one of them has broken (probably because I didn't have the concrete/water mixture right).