How to Make Butterfly Garden Stones

Buy a concrete mix. Stone concrete and Quikrete are both popular mixes for making garden stones. Stone concrete contains fewer pebbles in the mix and dries smoother than Quikrete. Quikrete costs a lot less, but dries rougher.

Choose a mold. There are kits available that contain everything you need to make a butterfly stepping stone, including the mold, cement and embellishments. They can be expensive, though, especially if you make more than one. Plastic ice-cream buckets, pizza boxes and plastic plant saucers are all good substitutes and much cheaper. Whatever you choose, make sure the mold is at least 3 inches deep.

Line and coat the mold. For easy removal, liberally spray it with a mold release spray or cooking spray and line with wax paper or plastic wrap. If you bought a kit, follow the directions on the box.

Look for embellishments. Butterflies are colorful and easy to decorate. Shells, pottery shards, tile shards, glass shards, fish tank gravel, colorful stones, painted stones, marbles, river rock, beads, marbles, jewelry and silk or real flower petals and leaves are all good choices.

Draw and design a butterfly on paper first, unless you know exactly what you want. Arrange decorations on the pattern and set aside for future reference. Butterflies are easy to freehand, but for a more detailed design, use a stencil or store-bought pattern. Use butterfly cookie cutters, leaves and hand prints to make interesting designs and imprints.

Mix five parts Quikrete with one part water. With a long spoon or stick, stir thoroughly until concrete has a thick batterlike consistency. If you use a kit, follow the directions on the box.

Pour concrete about halfway up the mold. Lay screen, chicken wire or a coat hanger in the concrete to give the garden stone extra strength. Fill the mold with more concrete, or until it's at least 2 inches thick. Tap sides to relieve air bubbles. Smooth the top with a spatula.

Wait for concrete to set 30 to 60 minutes before starting the design. If concrete is too wet, imprints will disappear and the embellishments will sink. Using your pattern as a guide, freehand or trace around the butterfly with a chopstick, stick or pencil tip. Press stencil or other imprints deeply in the concrete and remove. Add embellishments.

Cover the butterfly garden stone with plastic wrap to keep out insects and debris. Let it set for 24 to 48 hours before removing stone from the mold.

Outline butterfly with black acrylic paint. Paint unadorned areas, if desired. Seal with weatherproof varnish or sealant for protection.