At this point, our garden could use all the hope, prayers, and well-wishes it can get, so we spent this afternoon making some garden stones using quick dry cement (very inexpensive, and we had some leftover mix in the garage), empty cereal boxes, sea shells, and some glass gems from the dollar store.
I had initially planned on doing this activity outside, but it started to rain. However, this project wasn’t nearly as messy as I thought! I pre-loaded the box with the cement, and then Emily took over from there.
Cut the front off of the cereal box. Mix up the dry cement and load it into the box. Level the cement with a ruler. Emily loved making a hand print in the cement.
We decorated our garden stones with the glass gems and seashells.
Once the cement is dry, rip off the cereal box to reveal your beautiful garden stone. I’m hoping ours brings some good luck to our garden!
Once the cement is dry, rip off the cereal box to reveal your beautiful garden stone. I’m hoping ours brings some good luck to our garden!
July 29th, 2009 on 7:08 pm
We have a bag of quick dry cement in our garage waiting for us to make garden stones. I am glad to hear it wasn't too messy. That is what has delayed us from making them.
July 29th, 2009 on 7:28 pm
Awesome idea!! I LOVE it! I think this might be a great gift idea for the grandparents this Christmas!! Thanks for the tip!
~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com/
July 29th, 2009 on 7:41 pm
I was just going to say that this would make a great gift, but someone mentioned that already! I like this a lot.
July 29th, 2009 on 7:50 pm
@ Booklover1212 — Ooo… I didn't think of that, but you are soooo right! And we have a bunch of quick dry cement. I think it is sold in 40 pound bags for $3 or something, so I think we'll be making more of these… Should keep Emily busy for awhile.
July 29th, 2009 on 8:27 pm
We have been wanting to make garden stones. Too many crafts with not enough time! Fun stuff!
July 29th, 2009 on 8:49 pm
Hmmn, maybe we should make these for my ILs for their home? I have no garden, but it sounds like fun, anyway!
July 29th, 2009 on 9:31 pm
We have a kit to make these and the kids love it. Never would have thought of the cereal boxes — great idea!
July 29th, 2009 on 9:37 pm
@ Andrea — Oh, I bet your in laws will love them!
@ Ivy — Hee hee! You know how I love using recyclables! The cereal box worked perfectly!
July 29th, 2009 on 9:38 pm
@ Ivy — Sorry, forgot to add, I sealed the opened end of the cereal box with packaging tape. It worked really well!
July 29th, 2009 on 9:59 pm
What a precious garden stone this will be. A perfect keepsake that will add an adorable personalised touch to your garden.
July 29th, 2009 on 10:48 pm
Great job! Clever idea with the cereal box. I made one of these for father's day, but was disappointed that the handprint didn't leave a better impression, so it's less personal than I had hoped. Good luck with your garden plot! We were really lucky that the house we recently bought has a beautiful garden with raspberries, blackberries, sage, mint, and even an apricot tree. I'm hoping we can keep it all alive.
July 30th, 2009 on 4:37 am
thanks for explaining how to do this
Looks like she enjoyed herself!! great addition to your garden
July 30th, 2009 on 8:12 am
That looks like fun! I wouldn't have thought of the cereal box either. That is genius.
July 30th, 2009 on 12:43 pm
We had been thinking about making stones, and I was going to buy a kit. Not now, thanks to my frugal tipster.
I think I like rectangle stones better, anyway. And so sorry about your garden. 
July 30th, 2009 on 1:19 pm
Now I really like this idea. I wonder if I can remember it.
It's something we can make, personalize and actually have somewhere to put them. Excellent. Quick-dry cement? Okay, got it. Wish me luck. LOL
I'd like to do this before my oldest daughter goes back to college then we all can make one and put it in the little space in front of our front stoop.
I even have stones, gems and shells already. Thanks!
You're gonna get me on the crafty kick yet. LOL
July 30th, 2009 on 1:59 pm
Looks lovely, great idea to use a cereal box!
July 30th, 2009 on 9:19 pm
What a fun idea. This would even be fun to do with my preschoolers–thanks.
July 31st, 2009 on 5:45 pm
I love these. We do a garden stone each Mother's Day with all of the kids hand or foot prints. They are great outdoor keepsakes!
August 3rd, 2009 on 1:44 pm
I love this idea, especially as a grandparent gift, how wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing, I'll be linking.
August 4th, 2009 on 3:44 pm
I love this idea!! Our oldest started back to school this week (year round school)so I'm lining up various crafts for August in an effort to keep summer going for him. I think this is the perfect thing for the seashells we collected from our beach trip!! It's going to the top of my list & I'll post about your wonderful idea when we do it. Thanks so much
!