Step by Step 'Leaf' Stepping Stones by Delmar Germyn

This is a simple to do project that will get you fantastic compliments. You will be asked to “make some for me please”. When you hear that you know you did it right!

Getting started.. You will need your usual cement, sand and water. Or you can get a sack of redi mixed concrete for your first one. Once you see the result you will want to make more. That means that you will need to mix your own concrete. Redi-mix can get a little expensive.

You will need enough 2” x 4” lumber to build a mold. That means if you want a paver that is 18” square you need enough lumber to frame it up. Make a frame with your 2 x 4's and to make it easy to get your stepping stone out I suggest you use screws to assemble it. When you want to take it off you just take out a few screws. This saves a lot of aggravation. . (A note here – You should not make these any larger than 24” square. They will be very heavy! Even if you make them 2” thick it will be difficult to move them alone without a cart or wagon.)

Now place your frame on a flat surface that you have covered with a sheet of plastic. Next line the inside of your mold with plastic. I use a garbage bag that I have cut so that it is a single sheet. Once you have done this find a leaf or two, depending on the size of your mold. Using your artistic instinct place the leaves in the mold. Have you got them just right?

Mix and pour your concrete on top of the leaves. Wait a couple of days and unscrew the form. I turn the form over before I unscrew it so I can take the plastic off without damaging the still “green” concrete. You might want to leave the plastic for a couple of days. If you are like me you will want to “see how it looks” and will pull the plastic off as soon as the form is out of the way. Be careful! More than one stone has been spoiled this way. Let the paver sit, keeping it damp for about a week. You will be able to wash the leaf out of the concrete with a garden hose. If it does not all come out, don't worry you can get the rest later when the stone set up more.

These stones look great and each one is a little different so they are truly unique. Once you have seen how good they look you will want to go into full production. I have seen people start with a couple and finish with a complete patio done this way. Others have done driveways! They all looked terrific!

Go ahead and do a test stone today. You will love it.

Copyright © 2005 Delmar Germyn. All rights reserved.

Author - Del Germyn Web site http://www.delsmolds.com

My web site is setup to help you and I learn more about molds and casting in general.

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