Rhubarb Leaf Stepping Stones
iowagirl2006
15 years ago
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Linda Wayman
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Patio blocks and stone retaining wall caps
Comments (4)Hi Rainsend, 2" thick would be pleanty for concrete blocks. We made some with a purchased mold for making path/patio blocks and it is only 1 7/8" thick. We used an integral color and they've held up fine. They've been through 3 or maybe 4 winters in zone 5. I had planned to put a concrete sealer on them but never got around to it. We did have some that crumbled but they are near the driveway and were exposed to salt( concrete's enemy). However they are the same blocks that were made with a questionable bag of cement and I suspect that is what caused the problem. I can't recall exactly how much we figured the savings to be - about 1/3 the cost of purchasing even the cheap ones - I think. And seeing as you already have the sand it should be a good bit cheaper. However the time factor is another matter. It's definately a labor intensive project. We did a 12' x 12' patio and a 50'path. It took about 2-3 weeks but DH and I did it together and we have a cement mixer. If you would be mixing by hand I suspect there's a good possibility getting sick of it about halfway through. I also have 1 rhubarb leaf stepping stone but it's only been out this past winter - so far so good....See MoreHomemade Stepping Stones
Comments (9)I made stones for myself and my mother last year. We had leftover slate tiles from a bathroom project so I broke those up and used the tiles to decorate the stones. I used various things as "molds" because I wanted a variety of shapes and sizes. One of the things that worked the best for me was the plastic liners placed under planters to catch excess water. I would first break up and lay out my pieces of slate for finished top. I would then take some leftover wire mesh (chicken wire would probably work just as well) and cut to approximate size to use as rebar. I then mixed up portland cement and filled the bottom half of the stone, then place wire mesh in center and continue to fill to top of stone with cement. I then decorated the top with my slate pieces and let dry for a few days. I would take a picture, but still under 2 feet of snow. Anyways, I like them and think with same basic process you could make an infinte variety of stones to fit your style. Have fun....See MoreWhat's Your Favorite Garden Accent/Art?
Comments (46)This is a really fun thread. I like to see what everyone has in their garden and how thoughtful about art and creative you all are. I often think I'm going to "make" some garden art but then never get around to it. I don't decorate the garden with a whole lot of art. I have a few decorative stakes and then a few glazed birdbaths and some copper sprinklers that I use more for decoration than watering. My mom has a very cute piece of garden art. The story behind it is that we were at Hever Castle in England and they were selling all kinds of cement statues. We fell in love with so many of them. My mom couldn't part with this guy. Hever Castle was down a hill so we had to hike back up the hill, carry him on the rest of our tour and then carry him home on the plane. He weighed between 30-35 pounds so it was like carrying a little person around. He was well worth it though!...See MoreLeaf Stepping stones
Comments (6)I make these all the time. I use fig leaves but any large leaf will do. Use clusters of small leaves or even flowers for a different effect. I use a 5-gallon plastic paint bucket for the form. I slice it with a saw into little hoops about 2" high. I use readi-mix concrete with some extra portland cement powder added for strength. I have left the extra portland cement out a few times but the paving stones are more likely to crumble and break. You can use any flat surface to make the stones. I use some scrap painted plywood. Formica, plastic or sheet metal is also good. Put it on the ground where it won't bend from the weight of the concrete. Put the leaf with the veins up. Arrange the plastic hoop around the leaf. I like to have the stem going to the edge so I squash it down under the rim of the hoop. Plop the concrete in the form. I put a few lumps around the edge first to keep the hoop from moving, then I fill it up. It is important to pound on the concrete to make sure there are no air pockets. I use a trowel but a big stick or flat board works almost as well. The side you see will be hidden when you place the stone so don't worry about the cosmetics of it. Let it sit overnight. The next day take off the plastic hoop. The longer you wait the harder the hoop will be to remove without cutting it. Flip it over and dig out any concrete covering the stem. Don't try to remove the leaf and don't step on it yet. Stack up your stones and keep them wet for a few days. The concrete gets harder every day for years but they should be ready to use in a week. The leaf will turn brown and blow away in a few weeks. A 60-pound bag of ready-mix makes a half dozen or more of these, depending on the thickness of your form. You can also make these with pebbles, marbles, coins and rock salt. The rock salt washes out and leaves little indentations randomly on the surface. (I wouldn't wash it into my garden though!) If you are using river pebbles or money you need to flip the stone when it first turns hard and wash the surface of the stones or money with a wet sponge. Not too much or the stones will fall out. If you wait too long they get harder to wash. Practice on one before you do a lot. I don't use wire mesh but I suppose it will be stronger with it. It seems risky with leaves because you need to pound the concrete down well, especially on the edges and it's possible to rip the fragile leaf with the wire mesh....See Morecaflowerluver
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