Let's just say that this post has been in the works so long that I forgot I had a draft sitting around....the half scale projects stole my time away...so now I have the time to write about stones (and found time to edit pictures). The room box is long since done, but I will catch up telling you about it! Did I mentioned it started snowing last week? Did I mention I now really, really regret not taking pictures of the finished room box is the sun and heat of the Christmas weekend. I really, really regret being lazy. Sigh.
It's been a loooooooooooong process making egg carton stones. First, I realized that Miniland.ca has revamped their site and their brilliant egg carton stone tutorial is no longer there. Think of all those dead links on Pinterest....... Oh well, I thought, I can wing this, right? I had made the stone fireplace so I made the assumption I could make a few stone walls.
So. Many. Stones. Then I thought, well, why not brick the steps for something different. So. Many. Bricks. Then, lets make some cinder blocks for a foundation. Not. So. Many. Blocks. But, enough to make me no longer want to look at eggs and sand paper for a while.
I tinkered with this post for a bit and decided to make it a tutorial in case you have the (mis)fortune of landing on it when you were looking up how to make stone.
What You Need For Stones/Bricks
- Egg cartons (the paper kind, not Styrofoam)
- Glue - I use No More Nails, but white glue, tacky glue, Quick Grip, etc. works)
- Ruler
- Sharp craft knife
- Moss for effect
- Scissors
What You Need For Cinder Blocks
- 60 grit sand paper
Painting/Sealing
- I used the following craft paints
- Martha Stewart Gray Wolf
- Martha Stewart Vanilla Bean
- Martha Stewart Arrowhead
- Martha Stewart Lake Fog
- DecoArt Black
- Amsterdam Acrylics Neutral Gray (any medium grey paint will do)
- Painters tape/cardboard
- Sponge
Grouting
- Wall plaster
- Water
Before we start, I both glued (with construction adhesive) and screwed a wood block to the front of the room box to act as the front step. It's actually attached to the wood base I adhered the room box too.
Step 1
I separated the 2 halves of the egg carton. I didn't flatten out either side because when you cut up the stones, I like the weird raised bumps and lumps. I do press them down a bit, but they really add to your stones appearance.
Step 2
Paint! I used a plastic pallet and loaded it up with all my paint colours. Using my sponge, I started with the darkest colour and sponged thin layers on to my already grey (my cartons are grey generally) cartons and then repeated the process with each colour working towards the lightest shade. Vary your dabbing pressure and make sure that some areas are darker, others lighter...like natural stone. Let it dry thoroughly.
Step 3
Some people rip up their egg cartons. I prefer using my scissors and make random cuts. All shapes and sizes. Cutting gives a neater edge, especially when grouting.
Step 4
Glue it down! It's a miserable jig saw puzzle that might take a few nights since I couldn't look at it for too long even with wine. Cut and fit....find interlocking pieces...ensure the colour varies...gah!
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| Glued Stone - No Grout |
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| Glued Brick - No Grout |
Step 5
Before I move to grouting, I was concerned that the grout was going to sink into the egg carton, so I taped off all my wood (and cover ALL you plastic on windows and doors - unlike me) and then sprayed the stone/bricks with a clear matte finish spray paint.
Step 6
I made grout from regular hardware store wall plaster. I made it a bit thicker then usual to ensure it wasn't a drippy mess and smeared it with my fingers into the grout lines. I worked in 10cmx10cm areas so I could go back and wipe each stone off (2-3 times) with a damp cloth and remove excess grout. This is where the clear matte spray pays off - the water absorbs less into the stone. I love how the grout got into stone crevasses and left some there for effect.
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| Grouted! |
Step 7
To make the grout less glaring white, I used a brown wash (Martha Stewart Vanilla Bean) over the stones, bricks and grout. Applied with a paint brush then blotted off. I also went back and touched up stone colouring with my sponge and paints. Sometimes the grout sticks no matter what you do and you need to paint over. It also may take a few washes to get the colour you are aiming for.
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| Brown Wash Comparison |
Step 8
Seal the deal! Yes, bust out the matte clear coat spray paint and give it 1-2 coats! This seals the grout and the paint. Then glue some moss into the stone and brick grout lines for realism
Step 9
Cinder blocks!!! I made this 1 step on its own. For the "foundation" I made cinder blocks from 60 grit sandpaper. I painted it the medium grey acrylic (any brand will do). I accented with DecoArt black paint (dry brushed on) and then with the Martha Stewart Vanilla Bean wash. I also used the same sealing techniques. No grout was used. I placed the "blocks" close together and minimized the gap. I was worried that over time the bottom edge of a grout line would chip and break.
C'est Fini
I went to The Little Dollhouse Company today. I behaved myself. Got a few treats. 2 more kits...one is basket weaving and the other, a tray with a tile insert. It's a mini making party at my house right now!
