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Garden · Mother's Day · Adults

Mosaic stepping stones

Concrete garden stepping stones with a tile mosaic pressed in the face, sturdy enough to walk on and pretty enough to gift.

Mosaic stepping stones
LevelIntermediate
Time2 hours plus a week of curing
Cost$25 to $40 for 2 stones
SummerMother's DayOutdoorsGiftsGroups

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Wear gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses when mixing concrete and nipping tile, since wet concrete burns skin and tile chips fly.

  1. Step 1: Plan the design
    1

    Plan the design

    Trace the mold on paper and lay out your tiles on it. Nip pieces to fit with safety glasses on.

  2. Step 2: Set up the contact paper
    2

    Set up the contact paper

    Spray the mold. Lay contact paper sticky side up in the bottom.

  3. Step 3: Place the tiles face down
    3

    Place the tiles face down

    Move each tile from the paper onto the sticky sheet, face down, in mirror image. Press them flat.

  4. Step 4: Mix the concrete
    4

    Mix the concrete

    Mix concrete to thick brownie batter. Too wet and the tiles float.

  5. Step 5: Pour the first half
    5

    Pour the first half

    Spoon in concrete gently to 1 in deep. Lay the hardware cloth on top for strength.

  6. Step 6: Fill and tap
    6

    Fill and tap

    Fill to about 2 in deep. Tap the sides for 1 minute to release bubbles and cover it with plastic.

  7. Step 7: Unmold and clean
    7

    Unmold and clean

    After 48 hours, flip it out and peel off the contact paper. Wipe the tile faces with a damp sponge.

  8. Step 8: Cure it
    8

    Cure it

    Keep it damp and covered for a week before you step on it.

Edie's tip

Push smooth-faced tiles only. Rough or curved pieces trap concrete under their faces.

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