Bruce the Chef

Use your imagination to create a stepping-stone for your backyard oasis.

what you’ll need
Plastic tub for mixing
Trowel
Cement mix
10-inch-diameter disposable round plastic planter tray
One 25/8-inch square green tile
4 tiny terra-cotta flowerpots
4 iridescent purple marbles
Fourteen 1%-inch square red tiles
Large spoon
Brown sand

1  In the plastic tub, mix the cement with the trowel using small amounts of cement mix and water. It should be the consistency of a pourable dough, thin enough to pour slowly without running from the container. Mix a little more than what you think you need.
2  Pour the cement into the planter tray, filling it to the top. Shake the tray from side to side and tap firmly to settle the cement. Smooth the surface with the trowel.
3  Place items in cement in desired arrangement. Tap the items with the back of a spoon until they are firmly in place and settled to the desired depth. For container items, such as the tiny terra-cotta pots, spoon cement into the hollowed portion to stabilize the piece.
4  Pour sand on top of wet cement, covering the entire stone.
5 Leave stone stationary for 24 hours. Let it dry. Pour off the excess sand and wash off any remaining cement from embedded items, wiping with dry cloth. Gently turn stone over to remove it from the tray.