Stepping Stones

Page 68 in "Marian Devotions in the Domestic Church"

Catherine Fournier and Peter Fournier

Stepping stones or garden markers through your Mary Garden will last for years. The stepping stones can be decorated by pressing patterns of stones, marbles, shells, or bits of colored glass (sharp-side down!) into the wet cement, or by drawing pictures and messages into the wet. cement. 

• A "form" for your stepping stone. Make a form by nailing pieces of 3-inch wood together, or use existing forms—such as a plastic plant saucer, a sturdy cardboard box, or an old cake pan. Stepping-stone molds are also available for purchase. 
• Large plastic garbage bag (to line the form) 
• Ready-mix cement mix 
• Wire coat hangers (2 or 3) 
• Wheelbarrow, or large bucket, to mix cement 
• Water and a hose with sprayer, or a spray bottle of water Shovel or trowel, to mix cement and scoop it into the form Decorative items, such as stones, marbles, shells, leaves (to leave a surface impression), bits of colored glass, and special mementos and souvenirs 
• Popsicle (or similar) stick, to draw designs 

1. 1. Prepare a work area, outdoors; use a heavy plastic drop cloth if you're working on your picnic table. Have clean water ready nearby to wash your hands and tools when you've finished. Avoid leaving wet cement on bare skin for any length of time it's not instantly dangerous, but it will cause a mild chemical burn if left for more than an hour.
2. 2. Prepare the form:
   
   —Wet a wooden form well. The grain of a wooden form set on a sheet of plywood will leave its impression on the sides and bottom of the finished stepping stone. You could also use a plastic liner inside the wooden form.
   
   —Line a cardboard form with plastic, to make it easier to unmold the stepping stone when it's done. Smooth the plastic to conform to the bottom, sides, and corners.
   
   —A plastic form needs no special preparation.
3. 3. Mix the cement. Measure about twice the volume of your form in cement mix into the mixing bucket or wheelbarrow. Gradually add small amounts of water, and mix well with a stick, trowel, hoe, or shovel until the mixture is wet and pliable, not soupy.
4. 4. "Plop" trowelfuls of cement mix into your form until it is half full. Optional: Reinforce your stepping stone by laying two or three metal coat hangers on top of the cement, bending them into shapes that fit in the form without touching the edges.
5. 5. Continue to add cement to the form until it is full. Tap the sides lightly a few times to remove any air bubbles, and smooth off the top with a straight board. Allow to sit and become stiff—about half an hour (less if you're using quick-set cement).
6. 6. Begin embellishing your stepping stone by pressing stones and other objects firmly into the surface of the cement. Place them randomly or in any desired pattern. If an item sinks too far, simply scoop it out, re-smooth the surface, and position the item again. Use a Popsicle stick to scratch letters or designs on the surface. Allow the stone to dry for another half hour.
7. 7. Brush away the loose pieces of cement from the top of the stepping stone, and mist the surface lightly with the hose or a spray bottle. (Keeping the surface slightly damp as the cement sets will slow its curing rate and give a stronger result.) Repeat the misting two or three more times, at an hour's interval. (The cement reaches its full strength in about 30 days.)
8. 8. Allow the stepping stone to set up overnight, then carefully "pop" it out of the form (or tear away the cardboard)—and decide where to place it in your garden!