| What
to do:
 Step
1: Use the yardstick/ruler and your pen to place marks
up the side of the concrete forming tube at a distance of 3 inches
apart. Turn the tube and repeat at least four times around
the tube. Always start from the same end of the tube so that
your marks are level.
Step 2:
With adult supervision or have an adult use the knife to cut the
tube into sections. Follow your marks around the tube in a
circular direction trying to cut as straight as possible.
These will be the concrete ring forms used to make your decorative
stones.
 
Broken pottery
Rhubarb leaf
 
Pea gravel
Old tools
Step 3:
Collect the decorative items you want to place on top and embed
into your concrete stone. For our project, we wanted to feature
the history of the farmstead where our garden is located.
An old dumping area provided all kinds of neat finds - broken cups,
plates, saucers, crockery pots, canning jars, rusted tools and a
horseshoe. We also used a rhubarb leaf to get our large leaf
print, and colorful pea gravel for another stone. Allow your
imagination to run WILD with ideas.
Step 4:
Mix the concrete according to the instructions on the bag and
follow the safety rules. For this project, you'll want a fairly
firm (less soupy) mix. That means you should add less what
then recommended.
Concrete is
made up of three things - water, aggregate (sand and gravel) and
Portland cement. The Portland cement is the fine gray powder
in the concrete mix. The Iowa Department of Transportation uses
concrete in the construction of roads and bridges.
 Step
5: Place a plastic garbage bag(s) on the ground.
Put your concrete forming rings on the bags. Then pour your
concrete inside the rings.
Step 6:
Wearing your rubber gloves, place your decorative items on top of
the concrete. Press gently to make sure the materials will
stick to the concrete when hardened. If you press too hard,
the object will sink in the concrete. If this happens, remove
the object, rinse with water and replace.
Step 7:
Let the concrete harden overnight. Then use a knife to cut
the cardboard ring and release the stone.
Step 8: Place your stones amongst your plants and mulch
materials where they can be easily seen. The stones are heavier
than they look and may take a couple of pairs of hands to carry.
Safety
Notes:
The stones
created for this project are for decorative purposes only.
Because broken glass and other sharp objects were used, they are
not suitable for stepping stones. If you want to create stepping
stones, make sure that you use objects safe to be walked on or pressed
imprints.
If you want
to include a hand, foot or shoe print in your stone, make sure you
first protect your skin with plastic wrap before placing it in the
concrete. The chemicals in the concrete mix can cause skin
irritations or burns.
When mixing
and handling concrete, it's always a safe idea to wear rubber gloves
and safety goggles.
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