This weekend I finally took out a stepping stone kit I bought last summer. I bought 2 of them using the weekly 40% off coupons from Michael’s, and also got anothet box of just the cement mix (I have a lot of random mosaic pieces, so I didn’t need all that stuff). One of the kits I did last year, and the other had these fun letter presses (and I also got letters in another font, but I haven’t used that yet. I love these!
Pics of all of them are below. The one from the actual full kit is the “Watters est 5-5-06″ one. The others were from the supplemental box of mix (the mix is really just portland cement, which you can get at Lowe’s, but you have to buy it in GIANT bags which you have to both store and carry out of the store, so I’ll stick to the small ones). I combined the glass from the kit and other glass and jewels I had (Michael’s and dollar store) for all of them. For the smaller ones, I used various containers – the rectangles are the bottoms of the containers some of the mosaic pieces came in and the round ones are the plastic pot drainer things (do they have a name?). One of them actually has cool little feet because the drainer thing – might have to try and think of some cool way to utilize that if I make more of these.
So anyway – enjoy the pics! Some are repeats because I took pics before they were totally dry and then rearranged them. What do you think? And a question – do you think I can leave these out all winter, or should I bring them in because water might freeze in the letters and crack them? Also on the smaller ones, some are slightly brittle (too little water) and some the letters didn’t work well on (too much water). I don’t want any of them to break, but I’d like to have them out over the winter if I can…
Going to put these in the garden by the shells that I have from the beach.
I finally put together my pumpkin man, too - love this guy!
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Very nice, Jennah! My favorite is the stone with your name.
Nice step stones, they personalize your garden.
Scott
Jennah – I adore your stepping stones! Very creative.
I love mine. Can’t wait to get it.
Jennah, I have made a few of these stones myself from the kits at Michaels. I leave mine out all year(for several years) and have not had any problems with broken stones. It gets really cold here, too, so I’m guessing it is safe to leave them outside in Maryland, too. You did a nice job! They are very pretty!
First attempt at making 12″ heart shaped (cake pan) stepping stones with grandkids feet and bejeweled decorations as well as loaf pan size blocks with pet names for family pet cemetery but am VERY frustrated when using Quikcrete for this as the surfaces were rocky and not smooth like I think of concrete. Stamping letters was a mess as it tore up the surface with the rocks. Will these kits be strong enough for the grandkids to walk on their own stepping stones in the garden or will they break? I live in Florida so cold winters are not a problem.
You should use portland cement, not quikcrete. Portland cement will get you the smooth look like the stuff that comes on the kits. (You may also be able to run the quikcrete through a sifter of some sort to cut down on the rocks.) The kits a definitely strong enough to walk on! It is concrete. I’ve had mine in the garden since I did the project and they’re still all in one piece! A couple did lose some mosaic pieces that weren’t stuck in very far, so make sure they’re pushed in well.
Thanks. That is great news. I was just sitting here wondering if I sifted out the rocks if it would still work or if it needed the rocks to make it hold together, but you confirmed that for me. I am excited to start this project again. I knew it couldn’t be that difficult because I see beautiful examples all the time. Thanks again.
Glad I could help – good luck! I actually plan on making some more some time this week.