Prepare concrete.

Make the Stones

4. Prepare ready-mix concrete following package directions. A 60-pound bag makes four 14-inch-square stepping-stones.

 

Fill mold.

5. Scoop just enough concrete into the wooden box to cover the design (about 1 inch thick). Place a piece of chicken wire, cut smaller than the mold, over the concrete for reinforcement. Continue pouring concrete until the box is filled.

 

Smooth the surface.

6. Smooth the top with a trowel and tap the box on the work surface to remove air bubbles. Allow the concrete to set for 24 hours out of direct sunlight.

 

When dry, remove from mold.

7. Loosen screws on the box, invert it, and gently tap it to release the stone onto a cushioned surface. Gently remove rubber mold from the stone. (If the stone is left in the mold longer than 24 hours, it will be more difficult to remove and may tear the mold.)

 

Smooth rough spots.

8. Use a brick to smooth rough edges and to remove imperfections in the stone. Allow the stone to cure for one week.

 

Paint if desired.

9. To color a stone, dip it in a bucket filled with a mixture of equal parts of exterior latex paint and water. Or, use a large paintbrush to apply the diluted paint onto all sides of the stone. Allow it to dry for about one hour.