HOW TO MAKE CEMENT PAVERS
If you know how to make pancakes from a box then you can make cement pavers. Seriously, working with cement was as easy as making pancakes. My craft curse took a hiatus for the summer with this fun tutorial on how to make cement pavers.
The best part of these DIY cement pavers was the supply list was short and so was the prep and set-up time; just like pancakes. I had so much fun with a medium that only needed water and dry time.
Cement Paver Supply List
- plastic or metal trays
- Quikrete Setting Cement
- cooking spray
- bucket to mix
- utensil or tool
With a short supply list, the only item I needed was Quikrete Setting Cement which I found at Home Depot. I used this brand. And, as a side note, the brand’s name answered my blog post dilemma- are they cement or concrete pavers? I stuck to cement.
How to Make Cement Pavers
The cement worked just like boxed pancake mix. It was a bit of trial and error to figure out the proportions of water to cement.
My first form was a round, metal serving tray from the dollar section at Target. A little bit of cooking spray was all I need to flip the dried paver out of the tray; just like flipping a pancake.
I decided to make lightweight, smaller, round pavers for the garden. What I found was the DIY pavers were much lighter than similar ones at garden centers.
These pavers looked great with the mint. And, they were a nice way to transition from one herb to the next. I love the different textures between the pavers, mulch and the mint. They are like petite stepping stones.
Depending on the trays or recycled plastic containers used, some of the pavers will have a fun, unexpected pattern on the opposite side. I stuck to the smooth side for the herb garden, but I had fun with a Qdoba tray ;0).
I love, love, love how these pavers turned out. My plan was to make the cement pavers for my herb garden, but I had so much fun I ended up using a few pavers for my indoor plants.
If you can make pancakes from a box then you can make these cement pavers for your garden!
If you are looking for another fun craft check out this craft that arrived in a box at my front door. This is an easy DIY for the kitchen or office.
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Laura, I have made stepping stones before and they are fun! We added designs with broken dishes. We made square forms and poured them in a sand box. I am needing some round ones by my new grow box. I put log slices that I had. It looked cute, but they were too thin and are breaking. I’m going to go to the dollar store and see if I can find some trays. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you, Jann! It’s my new favorite activity!
These are really neat, Laura! I love the patina of the cement…is that weird? I have to tell you – years ago we went to a garden tour. The lady had made cement stepping stones and she pressed leaves into the top of them to get the pretty shape in the surface. They were gorgeous! I’d love to try that with your method.
Thank you so much for sharing this at the garden party. Be sure to mark your calendar for May 25th and come again. 🙂
Pinning and sharing.
Thank you Stacey! I am working on a few spinoffs of the stepping stones. I love that idea of pressed leaves. laura
I love stepping stones. We have them winding down from our back lawn to the sidewalk leading to our driveway. I’ve never tried making them, though.
Linking from Poofing the Pillows,
Ricki Jill
Thank you Ricki!
Really fun! I have made stepping stones using cement and broken pieces of glass to form a mosaic. Loved making them! Thanks for sharing them with the Garden Party.
hugs,
Jann
Love!!!!! Isn’t concrete so addictive. We started playing around with it a few months ago and I want to kick myself for thinking it would be too difficult to use. Especially the Quikrete stuff. It’s almost fail proof.
Totally agree Michelle! And, do you find yourself saving all kinds of “forms?” Ha! Thanks for stopping by! laura in CO!
Love these! I haven’t made anything concrete in a long time..perhaps I should revisit it!
It is so much fun! I just made cement coasters! It’s fun to save plastic trays with fun patterns in the mold!
Happy 4th of July! laura
I haven’t made stepping stones, but I’ve played a little bit with hypertufa. It’s a fun medium to play with.
Hi Vanessa! Thank you for stopping by! You have a great website! laura
These look so easy to make, Laura. I’d really like to make some. As soon as it quits raining and the mosquitoes quit breeding here in mid-Michigan! Geez, it’s been terrible! Just want you to know, also, that I read your candle-making post and went over to Grow and Make and ordered a kit! I’m going to use it to make a couple presents to give to special people. I’ll let you know how they turn out. We used to make candles using regular wax when we were kids. It’s pretty simple. I’m glad to not be using a petroleum product this time, though. Much more environmentally clean.
HI Naomi,
Thank you so much for stopping by! Yes, please let me know how your candles turned out. It’s such a fun gift idea for friends and family who need a chance to “be still.” laura
It’s been a long time since I played with some concrete. I used to make stepping stones with my kids when they were young. i still have all of them in my flower beds and they make me smile. Pinned to share 🙂
Thank you Marie! Happy Friyay! laura
I keep thinking I need to try this cement! Thanks for the inspiration friend!
Happy day!
karianne
HI Karianne! Thank you for stopping by! I love my cement (concrete) accessories. Thank you !! Loved the sugar packet story! laura
wow you made it so neat and beautiful … I used to play with building material when I was a kid but not anymore… truly love your work… thanks for inspiring….❤️
http://www.geniusenough.com
Thank you for stopping by! laura
Is this something that you can mosaic on after it dries?