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This post came up in my memories feed from 2013 and as I was cleaning my yard up for Spring, I realized just how great these stepping stones still look six years later! So, yes I can still say:
"However, my best project yet? Stepping stones. Now you might be wondering why this is such a big deal? I have wanted to put a stepping stone pathway from the gate to the backyard and back towards the patio/pool area for eight years. Eight looooong years. You wouldn't think this would be such hard thing to do now would you? But it was either the money (means about 15-20 stones which can get quite pricey), needing a truck or trailer to haul them, needing help to lift the suckers, or just life that got in the way."
1. Buy a bag of Quikrete or regular concrete (each bag makes about 3-4 stones)
2. Dig the sod out, sculpting the size and shape that you would like the stone to be. Depth is about 2".
3. Pat down and shape the dirt then stomp on it a little to pack it down tighter.
4. Mix the concrete to a thick milk shake like consistency and pour into the hole, smooth top with a trowel or hand shovel and let dry. Read more about mixing Quikrete.
So simple and so happy with how they turned out! If you wanted to get more creative you could add mosiac tiles or paint glitter or tint the concrete. The sky is the limit really!
This post came up in my memories feed from 2013 and as I was cleaning my yard up for Spring, I realized just how great these stepping stones still look six years later! So, yes I can still say:
"However, my best project yet? Stepping stones. Now you might be wondering why this is such a big deal? I have wanted to put a stepping stone pathway from the gate to the backyard and back towards the patio/pool area for eight years. Eight looooong years. You wouldn't think this would be such hard thing to do now would you? But it was either the money (means about 15-20 stones which can get quite pricey), needing a truck or trailer to haul them, needing help to lift the suckers, or just life that got in the way."
Recently I read some articles about quick and easy stepping stones and it got me thinking that I could make that project quicker and easier by cutting a few corners. You won't believe how easy this was!
1. Buy a bag of Quikrete or regular concrete (each bag makes about 3-4 stones)
2. Dig the sod out, sculpting the size and shape that you would like the stone to be. Depth is about 2".
3. Pat down and shape the dirt then stomp on it a little to pack it down tighter.
4. Mix the concrete to a thick milk shake like consistency and pour into the hole, smooth top with a trowel or hand shovel and let dry. Read more about mixing Quikrete.
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| Add enough water to make it a milk shake like consistency. Remember, if it is too thin, let it set for a bit to thicken. Too thick? Simply add more water. |
So simple and so happy with how they turned out! If you wanted to get more creative you could add mosiac tiles or paint glitter or tint the concrete. The sky is the limit really!
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| Stepping my way to the backyard of my dreams! |
i love this quick and easy ideal,even i couldnt mess it up.
ReplyDeletei love this quick and easy ideal,i cant mess this up!
ReplyDeletelove this idea! I think I will press leaf patterns into mine!
ReplyDeleteHope you live in a warm weather location because this might not last too long where ground freezes for 6 months. Just a caution to others looking at & considering this. Be sure to look for things you will have to do in cold climates to make this last.
ReplyDeleteIt would be no different than buying a step stone. None of them will last forever but for the low cost and little time, worth the risk.
DeleteI think I'd like to put my grandchildren's hand prints and names on mine. Love this.
ReplyDeleteOkay, way too easy. What is the catch? :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a good idea. I have had the same limiting circumstances and even had thought of molds, but why bother. Too smart.
ReplyDeleteLove it. What should I use to tint the concrete?
ReplyDeleteSomething water based. Maybe even craft paint. It's cheap to experiment with!
Deleteconcrete stain or dye the whole batch with latex exterior paint. Dying it will give subtle color. You can also add acrylic paint if you want brighter colors, but that is pricey.
DeleteI LOVE IT! I MAY JUST DO IT MYSELF.
ReplyDeletethey make tints you can buy at the hardware for concrete...they are fade resistant,Don;t know the price, they are powders you just mix in. Some other suggestions may not be,a consideration if they will get lots of bright sun for most months..
ReplyDeleteFriends of mine made their entire patio this way. In fact, they didn't even remove the sod. Granted, they love the rustic look, so any future cracks are expected and accepted.
ReplyDeleteIt freezes here, but the whole thing still looks great after 3 or 4 years.
Did they use forms since they did it over the grass?
Deleteso glad i found this post i lost it some how going to do this to our yard this summer xx
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome if you had a video of this project. I love the idea. Easy and not costly.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! Might be more stable if you add chicken wire to the middle just like you would if using a mold.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Hope to try this, although not looking forward to digging out the hard GA clay :0(
ReplyDeleteOnce hardened, one could also use a concrete sealer to help them last longer --especially through colder temps.
Any downsides, compared to putting ready-made stepping stones in?
ReplyDelete