Saturday, February 1, 2014

Creating with Cement

Last weekend I had a little fun with cement and made some hearts and stars. When used for decor purposes, it's got such a great industrial vibe to it that I love! Plus it has amazing texture and who can resist that perfect shade of gray!?! The best part is almost anything can be turned into a mold which means the possibilities are endless for working with cement! 

Anyways, I put together a little tutorial for anyone interested in making some hearts with Valentine's day coming up!  

You will need: 


Quick setting cement. Make sure you get cement and not concrete. I found mine at Lowe's for around $7.00.
You will also need some kind of mold. I found the star silicone baking mold at Joann's and the hearts are actually an ice cube tray I found at a thrift store. I wasn't sure how the ice cube tray hearts would turn out since it's not flexible like the silicone, but I had no problems at all getting the hearts out once they dried. 


Before you fill your molds with cement use some kind of cooking oil (I used canola) to grease each of the stars and hearts. 

 To mix the cement you can follow the directions on the bucket, which in my case was 5 1/2 parts cement to 1 part water. That was just way too confusing for me, so I just mixed it by eyeballing. 
Use any old container, like a coffee can, and a plastic spoon. 
Scoop out your cement powder into your container and start to slowly add water. Stir just until it's all mixed and there are no lumps. 

I kept adding water until I got the consistency of slightly watered down peanut butter, if that makes sense. I found that if the cement was a bit more on the watery side it filled the molds better and they came out much smoother when dried. 

When you get the consistency you like, start filling your molds. 


Once your trays are filled make sure to tap them down to get the air bubbles out and help it all settle. I just lifted one end slightly and let it drop. 

Since the cement was a bit watery, I let them dry for about 12 hours in front of a heat register. Then just take them out of the molds. They should come out with very little effort. 






 Wouldn't some of these look so cute painted as well? 


If you have any other questions just let me know. I will be happy to help. 

I'm linking to the parties listed HERE and to:





23 comments:

  1. I love this idea. Might put names on them and use them as place names for the table.

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    1. Great idea. It would be cool to find/make some kind of mold with a hole in it to make napkin rings.

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  2. What a cute idea! I love the look Melissa. Your so Creative girl. Thanks for sharing, Dee from My Painted Stuff.

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  3. I'm a fan of Quikrete and I think I have a bit left over. This is a great idea and I'm pinning!

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  4. These are so ridiculously awesome & seem easy! I thought there was no way I would attempt this, but I totally can. Pinning!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  5. What a clever idea. These are adorable.

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  6. Love these!! Just might have to mix me up some cement!! Thanks for a great tutorial!!

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  7. Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    Oh my, I LOVE these!
    Thanks so much for the inspiration!
    Have a great week,
    Suzanne

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  8. I love the simplicity of cement. These are just wonderful. Please stop by our Link It or Lump It party and share with everyone!

    http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/02/link-it-or-lump-it-party-no-24.html

    Amy

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  9. LOVE this!
    Cement is definitely on my shopping list!

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  10. I love this!!! These would be so great in the garden. I am thinking Mother's Day gifts!!!

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  11. So cute! I must do this, wonder if you could put food coloring in the mix? Or just paint it afterwards and bake it? I'd love for you to share this on Worthwhile Wednesdays! http://thecraftiestallie.blogspot.com/2014/02/worthwhile-wednesdays-3.html
    Thanks,
    Allie

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  12. I love those … super super cool! did you really just whip those up in your kitchen? You are creative AND brave!

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  13. What a cool idea!!!!! Love it! Stopped by from "Common Ground". I'll be back.

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  14. Love this! Maybe I'll use my Kohl's cash to buy some molds:) Pinning

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  15. You are so clever...great idea!...Thanks for sharing!
    Judt

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  16. LOVELOVELOVE this idea thanks for sharing
    can't wait to make some too

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  17. Sweet!!!! Love your blog and I'm now getting new posts via email.
    You and your little family are not too far from us, we're in Otter Lake, just a jog over to Davison and up M 15! It's so cool to read a 'local' blog!

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  18. This looks so fun! I shared your project on Friday Finds today!

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  19. I am going to have to try this cement idea...Wonderful!
    Your newest follower.

    Gigi @ Old World Patina

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  20. I love both the hearts and stars...i have been wondering is there a product that needs to be added to the cement to prevent it from cracking? I heard fume needs to be added and fibre...is this necessary?

    Look forward to hearing from you...please send me your blog address.

    Warm regards
    Elpida

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