I have been wanting to make a new walkway from my current walkway on down to where we park our car. We tend to never park in the garage and the current walkway goes from the back door to the garage. I found this really cool idea for stepping stones. I have not used this pattern as of yet but do plan on using it in the spring. It seems to be really easy to make. It seems to be a great way to use some items to recycle things from around the house. These would make a wonderful gift for kids to make for parents or grandparents. Kids could put their handprints in them. You could even add small fish tank stones to make it different colored. The possiblities are only limited by your imagaination.
Pizza Box Stepping Stones
4 wire coat hangers for each tiele Approximately 13 inch take out pizza box (one box may be used to makee 32-3 tiles
You will also need: brick mortor mix, a large heavy duty garbage bag, coarse sandpaper, small rocks, utility knife and 2 inch packing tape
1. use utility knife to cut lid from box
2. To Strengthen sides of box, apply several layers of tape to top edges and sides of box.
3. Cut a square from garbage bag about 3 inches larger on all sides than the box. Line each box with palstic square
4. To reinforce mortoar, place hangers in bottom of box.
5. Follow manufacturer's instructions to mix mortar. Pour mortar into box, filling box to about 1/2 from top. Before mortar sets up, use either finger or a stick to write message in mortar or press small rocks into mortar, smoothing mortar around rocks. Allow mortar to set completely.
6. Using edges of plastic to lift tile and remove tile from box. Remove plastic from bottom of tile. If necessary, use sandpaper to smooth edges of tile.
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Comments: 31
I can't wait for the weather to break here in Michigan to try this method. The temperature is -6 degrees below "0" right now. I have a rock garden I wanted to put a path thru. I am going to use this idea!
if you want round stones, buy a few of the cheap flimsy plastic (don't know the technical term here?] 'water catchers' for indoor houseplants. Those clear plastic 'dishes' that you place under the pots. They come in a bunch of different diameters [allowing you size options] and if you lined them with the garbage bags as above [tho I was told to use cooking spray on these] I would imagine it would work the same...just a thought.
I was thinking maybe putting one in first and one in middle. Would that work?
Thanks for posting this Connie. I'd forgotten about using hangers... to reinforce the stones.
Diana
I'm going to put this to good use.
That sounds really cool. I have never thought of that.
It is so much fun to color cement with that paint. My husband used red paint to color the cement in the bird baths that he made. Looks so cool
We did a similar project using molds for pathways and patios.
For a larger project I would suggest considering a stable, solid form to make your job easier and get a professional looking result. Lowe's has forms to pour your mixture into. My son helped with this project and instead of doing a walkway we did an entire terrace from this one 2 foot by 2 foot mold. Very sturdy - we still have the mold and I wouldn't hesitate to use it again for another huge project.
Lowes had a good selection of forms everything from brick - herringbone patterns to flagstone patterns.
We used the dye from Lowes to match the house and the landscaping stones. The process was simply, but it was hard work, because of the size of the project, the heat and the mixing requires some muscle.
I do some outdoor mosaic work - so I may try the pizza box method with a mosaic inset. It's warm enough here to get started - I'll be the guinea pig and let you know how it all worked out:)
Did anyone ever do this? Please let me know how it turned out!