Magical mushroom

Hands-on time: One hour
Total time: Two weeks for curing
Skill: Easy
Cost estimate: $20 to make one (28cm wide and 18cm high)

Materials and Tools

• Newspapers
• Large plastic bowl as a mold for the mushroom cap (30cm top circumference, 13cm deep) and a plastic pail (the type children use to play in the sand) to make the mushroom stem (16cm top circumference, 19cm high), both available at dollar stores
• Leaves in assorted sizes and styles. Choose leaves with a lot of texture (gather on a nature walk or from your backyard)
• Spray adhesive
• Large flat glass nuggets and marbles
• Masking tape
• Stepping-stone cement mix by Milestones (two 7-pound boxes)
• Dust mask and gloves
• Bucket or disposable container
• Old spatula and a large spoon
• Water and measuring cup (500mL of water are needed for each 7-pound mixture
• Damp cloth or an old towel
• Plastic wrap

Fairies, gnomes and mystical creatures are popular garden trends this summer. To harmonize any whimsical garden theme, why not add an ornamental mushroom made with stepping-stone mixture.

For a natural textural interest, leaves are used to line the containers used as molds. Shimmering jewel-like glass beads garnish the structure.

Cover your work area with newspaper. In a well-ventilated space, lightly spray the front of the leaves with adhesive, and lay them inside the bowl and the pail. Place each leaf one at a time, pressing them into place to fully line the bottom and the sides of the plastic containers. Lining the containers with leaves will make it easier to release the shapes from their molds.

Place a few large glass beads face down at the bottom of the bowl, creating a design of your choice. Smaller beads are placed at the sides of the bowl and pail, using small folded pieces of tape to secure them.

Wearing a dust mask and protective gloves, make the stepping-stone mix according to manufacturer's instructions in a bucket, add the necessary amounts of water and mix. To make the mushroom stem, gently fill the beach pail with the mixture, one big spoonful at a time, pushing and pressing it down with a spatula or your hand to avoid any air pockets. Repeat until the pail is almost full, and then smooth out the surface.

To make the mushroom cap, fill the bowl as above. Once the bowl is three-quarters full, smooth the surface. Place the cement-filled pail in the centre of the bowl and press it down into the mixture about 5cm deep. This will create a depression in the mushroom cap that will rest on the stem. Use a damp cloth to smooth out the surface around the pail. Leave the pail in place for at least two to three hours to imbed the depression.

Cover the pail and bowl with plastic wrap to keep in the moisture to allow the cement to dry slowly. After two days, uncover and gently turn over the shapes to remove them from the molds. Remove the leaves around the shapes. Use a damp cloth if needed. Remove any tape to reveal the beads, and with a damp cloth smooth the entire surface to remove any residue.

Place the shapes onto a flat surface and re-cover them with a damp cloth or towel for at least five more days. Leave the structure at least two weeks to completely cure before placing them outdoors. The curing process requires a long time to avoid cracks.

Find a spot in your garden to place your mushroom creation, then position the stem securely and place the cap on the stem.

Once the mixture is fully cured, your creation can be painted with outdoor acrylics or ceramic paints.