Garden Decor

Got an extra set of state quarters? By the end of this year all 50 state quarters will be out. 
If you’ve been saving those quarters like me, you probably have more than you know what to do with.

Here’s an idea: Make some patriotic garden stepping stones with state quarters on top to blend with your outdoor garden decor.

First decide how many garden stepping stones you would like to have. i.e. If you want 10 garden stepping stones, select 5 quarters per stone. After waiting 1 hour for the cement to set up in the mold, press the quarters (state side up!) into the cement, deep enough so they will be secure, in the pattern that you have planned.

You could incorporate national memorabelia such as USA flag lapel pins. Add a nostalgic item for each state: a metal toy oil derick for Texas, or a toy metal alligator for Florida.
(Of course this particular stepping stone will be located close to your flamingo gazing ball garden stakes!)

Perhaps you will arrange the garden stepping stones by region. For example, one stone may have the Gulf states quarters: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisanna, & Texas. You can have fun learning about our geography while planning your garden stepping stones for stepping about in your patriotic garden!

God bless America!

Garden Stepping Stones

What you need:
 •  Ready mix cement - kwikrete or equivilant
 •  Newspaper, old tablecloth or other dropcloth - completely cover the area where you will be working.
 •  Container - plastic cover from fast food dish or grocery store cake, plastic gallon jug, large cool whip or margarine tub, cardboard box (must be lined with plastic)
 •  Decoration: Beads, seashells, bottle caps, key rings, marbles, pretty rocks, ugly rocks, beads, buttons; other sewing items: all-metal dollar-store scissors, thimble, very large needles, metal bobbins, crochet hook; coins. Look in thrift stores, junk yards, attic, under your bed - with an active imagination!
 • Protective clothing: eyewear, gloves long sleeves, long pants, shoes (Wet cement can burn and should be washed off with warm soapy water immediately.)

Directions:
1. Select the container that is closest to the size and shape that you want your garden stepping stone to be.
 
2. Mix the cement according to the manufacturers instructions. Pour the cement in the container.  About two inches is thick enough.
 
3. Before the cement dries (30 - 60 minutes), press your decorations, beads, shells etc. into the cement.

 ─ Here is where patience kicks in ─
4. Wait at least 24 hours (2-3 days is better) for your garden stepping stone to dry before removing it from the container.

5. Place your new garden stepping stone on a level surface, and let it set for 5 - 7 more days. To strengthen the cement, wet it every day.

 ─  Enjoy your creative handiwork on a table or on the porch for a while before placing it in your garden. This way your new garden stepping stone will be strong and weather resistant for a long life as outdoor garden decor!

Place your garden stepping stones mold onto a flat surface that can be left unhindered. Once you’ve got your ingredients finalized in the mold leave it for 3 days. Do not move it so that you won’t risk cracking the stepping stone.

After removing the stepping stone from the mold, “cure” the cement for 1 week by wetting it every day, before placing it in your garden.

When working with cement, it is advisable to protect your skin, and especially your eyes. Direct contact with wet cement can be harmful. It should be washed off immediately with warm soapy water.
Always wear protective eyewear and gloves. Long sleeves, long pants and shoes definitely offers the best skin protection.

Sand is a great tool for creating a level, even surface area for the bottom of your garden stepping stones. If you’re adding embellishments onto the top of the stepping stone, you don’t have to cover the sand. When you remove the stepping stone from the mold, just brush the sand off and use it again.

Here’s an idea I found while surfing for garden stepping stones, engraved garden stones, and general outdoor garden decor.

Start with:
5-gallon plastic nursery pot
Cement mix
Wheelbarrow or large bucket
Hardware cloth or window screen
Sand
Plastic sheeting
Modeling clay

Line the bottom of the pot with plastic sheeting. Then pour a layer of sand to create a smooth, even surface. Then line the sand-filled pot with another layer of plastic sheeting to keep the steppingstone clean.
 
To personalize your garden stepping stones, make a design by rolling clay into small balls or strips, and arrange the clay directly on top of the plastic lining.

Mix the cement in a wheelbarrow or large bucket, according to package instructions. Pour about 1 1/2″ of cement into the bottom of the pot.
Lay a piece of hardware cloth or window screen over the surface of the cement to reinforce it.
Cover the cloth with a little more cement, and let the steppingstone harden inside the form for a day.

Remove your new garden stepping stone from the form, and pick out the modeling clay. Repeat the process to make as many stones as you need.

*Anyone have any other ideas on the use of color?

Take a visit to your local junkyard or “little sisters of the poor” yard sale or your attic or basement.

You may prefer to shop in a local nursery or visit your favorite www.GardenDecorEssentials.com website. You’ll find lots of nifty, beautiful and expressive stuff.

However, your budget and/or inherent creativity may call for an alternative. Here’s a few:

 • Think of new and unorthodox places to put old outdoor garden decor item.  Perhaps use an angel garden birdfeeder as a plant stand.
 • You can think of your garden as an artist’s easel and arrange your unique garden decor items like things painted on the canvas. Read the rest of this entry »

Decorative birdhouses can be used for beautifying any space, indoors or out. Most birdhouses do not require a large area and can be effectively placed right in a terrace garden or patio. There are many many different types of birdhouses available on the market, from wooden birdhouses constructed of teeny tiny lumber, to huge hotel type birdhouses to accommodate purple martins.

Enjoy nature in your home with the help of decorative birdhouses.

Garden decor birdhouses are available a wide price range, so one has a generous selection of decorative birdhouses to fit your garden decor taste and your budget. The decorative birdhouses are the perfect choice for adding charm to your own backyard or garden, and offers a great variety of gift ideas for your loved ones.

  Decorative birdhouses serve the same purpose as any other type of  birdhouses, but are unique in their character and style.

  Imagine a splendid mansion: and you are sure to visualize a front lawn and garden complete with birdhouses, birdbaths and a fountain; and of course many elegant birds chirping and flying around!

  Whether you live in a splendid mansion or a little house, or even a garden apartment, decorative birdhouses are the perfect kind of accessory for your garden or lawn or deck. Think of your favorite places and things, and you can find decorative birdhouses to show them off! Dream of the ocean with a lighthouse birdhouse, or just imagine kicking back in your little dream cabin in the mountains with a log cabin birdhouse.

  All the while, you will enjoy being right where you are watching your newfound splendidly colored feathered friends!

–Whatever materials you choose for your garden paths: grass, garden stepping stones, wood chips, gravel, pavers, brick; your garden can become something of a “dreamland” for wandering and meditating.

–You may prefer narrow paths that let you get up close and personal with your plants, especially if you have fragrant flowers and you like to put your nose in and smell them.

–Maybe you’d rather employ walkways wide enough to stroll along without worrying about stepping on sprawled stems or being bothered by bees. This kind may allow space for unique garden decor and garden statuary, and a bench for quiet meditative times - perhaps to read a book.

Keep in mind, gardening is an excellent hobby. Enjoy the beauty of a perfectly designed masterpiece. Or delight yourself in a thrown together, utterly chaotic mass of nature. Don’t let the unorganized garden prevent you from enjoying your life…

An idea for garden markers is to make garden yard stakes by painting  flowers, fruits or vegetables with exaggerated faces onto clean paint stirrers. Acrylic paints can be used with a brush, or try paint markers, both of which can be found at a craft store.  A good wood clear coat or a shellac will keep your garden markers brilliant much longer than a cheap spray clear coat.

Other ideas for garden markers, garden signs, and garden yard stakes will be forthcoming. We’ll explore organizing your outdoor sancturaries using garden stones, metal and copper garden markers, and making garden stakes and garden signs of wood, clay, and other materials.
 
Happy gardening!

Do you ever find yourself scratching your head wondering what will be coming up in this little bed? Which seeds you planted in that little spot?

 I’ve tried drawing a map of my garden to remind me where each perennial is located to help plan where to plant more bulbs and annuals.

Perhaps a better idea (and easier to keep up with!) is using garden markers and garden stakes or garden signs.

 One way to make garden markers is to paint rocks that can be placed to indicate what’s planted where. Collect some rocks that you had to dig out while planting your garden. With Delta Ceramcoat (or equivalent)  paint a  picture of the flower or vegetable you just planted. Then paint a white rectangle underneath the picture. Let dry & paint the name on the white square.

Good idea to seal the painted rocks with lacquer (available from most places that sell spray paint) to keep them weather resistant.

Avoid breathing the fumes!