Estimated time to complete gift:
hour or so, plus 3 days drying time

Description of gift:
Make your own concrete Stepping Stones, to decorate your garden pathway with Memories.

Materials:
Quickrete, Ready-Mix, or Portland cement. Portland is the smoothest and priciest, at near 6 bucks a bag; Quickrete and ReadyMix are closer to 2-3 bucks a bag. Yield should be 4-5 stepping stones (for 12 inches or smaller).

pigment(coloring) optional

water

wheelbarrow (or very large Rubbermaid type container)

hoe (for mixing)

molds*: pie pans/disposable cake pans; plastic saucers; 'hoops' cut from large PVC pipe (one slice, taped shut w/Duct tape, facilitates easy mold removal!)---Imagination is key here. Mold ideally is 2 inches deep. Wide stones (more than 12 inches) need reinforcement w/chicken wire in bottom...in some cases, pizza boxes make good molds!
;-)

covering for workspace (tarps or plastic)

items to imbed in the concrete after pouring:

Instructions:
Protect your area w/tarps/plastic. Work Outside, if possible!! Read the bag for mixing guidelines...but basically, you are making some serious Mud Pie Magic; add water about a quart at a time, stirring thoroughly after each addition. (The proper texture will come back to you ;-) Lumpy oatmeal is another visual...use a bucket or can to portion mixture into molds.

Decorate with items like: beach glass or marbles, shells, old costume jewelry, beads; tiles; footprints/handprints; ferns, twigs and leaves (will pull off easily OR biodegrade)...use your imagination.

If the concrete is 'weepy' wet, you can lay newspaper or paper towels on top to absorb some of the excess moisture, but really, a little 'set-up' time affords you the opportunity to lay out your decorations and Plan a little. Items should be deep enough into the concrete to be level with the top surface...or in the case of things not entirely smooth 'round the edges, just a skosh Below the surface ;-)

Allow to dry for 3 days before gently pushing/tapping your mold to remove the stone.

Other suggestions or comments:
Some people like to push a little pie pan into the stepping stone, to create an indentation for Water for the Birds. Larger birdbaths can be created by digging a bowl shape directly into your garden soil, or by using a plastic-lined garbage can lid for a mold. These should be decorated with Smooth pretty things.

We made some stepping stones using broken ceramic plates from a thrift shop. Pre-cut small tiles are a little more user-friendly 'cuz they don't have to be pushed quite as deep, but if Grandma's heirloom plate hits the deck...make a new memory ;-)

Pre-cut tiles also offer options like floral-printed tiles, letters and numbers. We also raided the goldfish bowl (ding dong, the goldfish died! ;-) in the garage, for pretty turqoise blue glass thangs that are marble-ish, but flat; I think those sell in craft and floral type supply outlets, too.