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:)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Making of My Cement Patio....Rock On (for two days)

Today I decided to join you all in the fun and show a post that has been the answer to so many of your questions left for me in my comments. I am sharing the garden room post. I made this room by hand using my cement mould. Here is that post! I hope it will help those who are interested in maybe making a cement pad for their gardens!

Last July....this area became the target for a project. This is how it looked then
I pulled out my cement mould...
Bought myself 15 bags of cement...(that's all my little truck would handle)
Got my little cement mixing barrel out....
put on some gloves (I learned my lesson about not wearing them when working with cement)
and went to work...one 55 pound bag at a time.
Placing the mould....
15 bags got me only this far! (and I ached all over from rolling that mixer )
looks good so far! And those 15 bags were as far as I had gotten last summer...
BUT....this summer....I still had this project on my brain....SO...
I got one of these babies!!! woo hoo....I was rockin'
sorry little guy...Tootsie is a year older....and a little wiser this summer...you'll have to watch
Lets fire this baby up! looks like a witch's brew....
Bob helped get us started ...looks like the cement is mixed! 3 bags at a time!
The parts with the green in between are last year's work...the dark stuff is 20 bags poured on Thursday last week! But...still I was not done! I needed 18 bags more!
Now...for those who are wondering why I did not dig them into the ground and remove the grass underneath....I didn't need to. The grass degrades underneath and they sink into the soil below and this helps...the grass also grows up and holds them in place between...they are really quite sturdy!
And then I was done! 53 bags of cement!!!!

34 comments:

Simple Man Makin It Do said...

Hi Tootsie! I've missed coming to visit! I love this post, I still do not have one of these lovely gardens patio you have created. It so wonderful, I know you are enjoying it so much!!!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Oh, I do remember this...it was an awesome project! So nice of you to show us the process, too! Have you enjoyed using it?
susan

xinex said...

Wow! That's hard work, Toots! But it looks great and functional!...Christine

Simple Man Makin It Do said...

Hi Tootsie, I just realized I am signed in with my hubby website! Its leaving his name Simple Man instead of mine! Lady Katherine!

Janean said...

I like it when grass grows up between the "stones." Will you set your mower on a high level and mow over them?
So cost-wise, was it worth it?
Details, girl! Details! I've wondered about these molds since seeing them at home improvement stores.

adsgram said...

My son and DIL are putting one in at their home using a mold as well. Theirs is the more structured block shapes..kind of like different sized bricks. I like yours better, but we won't tell anyone...lol! Yours really is nice...enjoy it...you have worked hard to deserve a nice rest and a tall, cool drink!

Lynne
dlynne172@yahoo.com

Beca said...

Tootsie your patio set looks great there! I love the front view of your house. Those green vines growing on your porch. It's beautiful! Girl, your amazing!

Becca's Dirt said...

I love it. Looks like a lot of work - well I know its a lot of work. Girl you did a fabulous job.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Girl I so remember this post...But just looked at the finish project and one word WOW!! I can not believe all you can do my friend...This is just awesome...do you hire out ha ha!! Just beautiful my friend...No one can beat your when it comes to gardens my friend...May you have a Great day...I pray your Dad is doing better girl...Love ya...Hugs and smiles...oh thanks for coming by and Girl those photos were 20 years ago...I look like an old bat now ha ha!!Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Blondie's Journal said...

I have seen these molds but never knew the process involved. How cool!!

2 questions. About how much does a bag of cement cost?? I know it will be a bit different in the U.S. Just want a little idea. 2nd question. How did you do the edges and corners?

Love it!!

xoxo
Jane

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Loved this...thanks for showing us how....I am printing your post.....

Sue said...

I'm glad you shared how you did this. I've been looking at those molds and wanting to do a path with them, but wasn't sure how hard it would be to do, and how much ground prep was involved. I didn't realize you just put it on top of the grass. That's easy and it looks great!

Anonymous said...

You are so talented! I love your new garden room. I was so impressed I drug Bob in to see it a while back. Great work!
Oh and yes, I'd love some of your 'Mutant' seeds. ;-)

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Tootsie...

My friend, what a pleasure to have you join in with Sunday Favorites this week...welcome, Darlin'!!!

Ohhhh my goodness...I'm in love with your little garden room...well, shoot...it's not so little! Hehe! I was just doing the happy dance when I seen this post...I have seen those cement moulds before and have always wondered what they would look like...now I know! Ohhh...and I just love the look of these pretty little stones!!! This really is fabulous, my friend! Okay...Girl, I can't believe that you hand mixed all that concrete your self! I've done a little concrete work in my time...of course that was years and years ago...but sheeeshhh...that's no easy feat!!! I certainly admire your gumption...it sure paid off!!! I love the look of the grass growing between the stones...soooo beautiful!!! Of course, I had to click on your link to see how it looked all finished...love your pretty table and chairs! You really did create a fabulous garden room, my friend!!!

Thank you so much for sharing this post with all of us today on Sunday Favorites!!! Sure do hope that you'll join in again...

Warmest wishes,
Chari

Cathy said...

Awesome- thank you.. I wondered how you did that and it looks great. How do you maintain it..mow it, weedeat?

Barbara said...

Tootise, Your new patio is awesome, you are doing or did a magnificent job.

You can certainly just run over here and help me to the same thing.

Have a Blessed Sunday....I guess I missed this post when you posted it originally.

Barbara

Darla said...

I remember this post...and I love the cement!!

Salmagundi said...

I had forgotten all the work you did! But, it sure looks good this year all grown in - definitely worth the effort. Sally

squawmama said...

Good Morning Tootsie... I just love your patio and will keep this in my mind (I hope) for when we ever do settle down and get another home...☺☺☺ It came out so good and I know that you're happy with it!

Have Fun!
(((HUGS)))
Donna

Stacey said...

So, fabulous, Tootsie!!! I've been wanting to do this in my weed pile for years, and every year, I get older and weaker - Did you rent the (new) mixer? and what kind of concrete was that you used? Also, your mold is unique; I've only seen the smaller paver molds. If I can, I may start said project this fall in a corner, and work my way out next Spring!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

I do remember you taking this project on. what a gal... you had such a vision and brought it to life.. I hope you've spent alot of time enjoying it.. hugs ~lynne~

Lori E said...

Isn't it unbelievable how much concrete it took to do this. Your mold held up really well.
You should tuck some thyme in the cracks to get a lovely scent when you walk across it.
I checked out the post with the table set up. You really have a green thumb.

Keetha Broyles said...

That is gorgeous!!!

I didn't know such a thing as a "cement mold" like that even existed!!! It is AWESOME.

I would NEVER have thought of doing all that on my own.

Kim said...

You are AMAZING!!! I've seen that before, where the grass grows in between the mold - I love that look. I may have to try that some day. 53 bags - WOW!
Have a wonderful week! Kim

Anonymous said...

Hey, Sweetie! Now you know how much I love this patio you've made! You're just amazing at all you can do! I remember all the times when my kids were little and how busy I was! Take care and cherish each and every moment with them.
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Jill said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! That looks great... but too much damn work. You are super woman.

Kranky Granny said...

I believe that visiting your post today has solved a problem for us. Hubby and I have been wanting to extend out patio but could not afford the estimates we received. This seems the perfect solution and I'm sure we could handle it if done in small sections.

So glad I stopped by. You did a terrific job. I love the look.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Hi Tootsie! I have to say you make everything look and sound so easy...and I KNOW it's not! I love this project!! What a lot of work, but well worth the beautiful results! Thank you so much for the step-by-step. I was thinking of doing something similar for our yard but was hesitant. Now, thanks to this post, I feel a lot less intimidated by the prospect!
Warmly,
Tracey

Unknown said...

Thanks for becoming my 100th follower! How sweet of you. You can grow flowers so beautifully....I'll cook for you. I hope you will keep visiting, however, and be encouraged to try some of the great dishes that show up especially on Crock Pot Wednesday.

DeeDee said...

oooooooh so dreamy. Love the steps you showed. lol

The JR said...

Tootsie the wonder woman. Totally amazing lady.
Ramona

Sandra said...

Hi Tootsie! Omgosh! I love it!! I'm going to have to show this post to my hubby wubby and begg that we do this too! I LLLLOOOOVVVEEE it! You are soo talented and i'm so grateful that you share with us! I gotta make something like this!
Blessings,
Sandra

Anonymous said...

I usually do not leave a comment, but you really impress me, also I have a few questions like to ask, what's your contact details?

-Johnson

Brandi said...

This is so beautiful. I love the way the grass has filled in between the concrete. I want to do something similar in my backyard where the grass doesn't grow. You have inspired me.