Chelle - "get rocks" is on my forever list

Well, it's on ours too, Vic, but the roundish field stone we gather regularly end up being used for barbeques and such. The new list is for special stacking stones.

I think I might ask for a faux wishing well with a field stone base for Mother's day this year. What do y'all think? Overused, or *coming back into style*?

Personally, my feelings are if you like it, go with it! I think one with a field stone base would look awesome!

Same here Chelle - it doesn't matter if it's over used. If it makes YOU smile and happy go for it.

As for me personally, I would LOVE to have one and in stone would be awesome!

Cool!

I've got a great spot for it dead-center in the middle of the partially shaded yard, in direct view from the kitchen windows. It needs to be in an area that doesn't already have a lot of plantings because my fella will want it to have a proper foundation, and all of that. The last two years I've asked for things to be built around plantings ...this year he'd probably appreciate a break from that!

Thanks for your input!

Great - be sure to post pictures!!

I will, Chris! I'll probably get most of the process, although I do get *the look* when I include the builder in the picture!

He's just too shy!

Naw...just a bit scruffy (in his opinion, anyway).

He likes to let his face "rest" on Saturdays.

believe me I can relate!!
Chelle you could plant sedums and sempervivums on the roof of it!! (oh wait...wrong forum!)

I think our demented squirrels would probably knock them all off, but for those with normal critters that sounds like a great idea! It sure would look nice.

Hey Vic..... Nice thought and I am also link you blog. It was awesome. thanks for posting, It was very helpful to my garden.

Well here is my attempt at the stone balance (with some support) that started this thread.

I used all beach stone. The base is a large piece of white quartz, then angular piece of red beach stone followed by a green flat piece, finished off with alternating red and dark grey stone. It is about 3' tall and very heavy, really happy with the way it came out.

WoW! Breathtaking.

What an absolutely fantastic AWESOME job you did

Was it easy? Did you enjoy doing it? How long did it take? Tell us all about it

Love it !!!!! It is so wonderfully structured.

thanks all

to answer vic's questions.

was it easy - not easy, had to be real careful with the drilling, as i could not afford to crack any of the rock used, especially the red angular rock above the base and the thinner green one above it as they were the only ones i had like them. only ended up breaking the last stone at the top because i was rushing to finish, and had to use another, the second one looked better than the first so all ended well.

did i enjoy building this - anytime i play with rocks it is enjoyable, i did enjoy building this, my only concern starting was if the 1/4 brass rod i used would be strong enough to support the weight. from there i just took my time and picked the right shape, color and size stones were chosen. most of my beach stone supply was chosen for a different type of project so my choices were limited.

how long did it take - i took about 3 hours, although most was spent just choosing the stones. started at 4 in the afternoon until my wife came outside at 7 and asked if we were ever going to eat dinner just as i finished. then i showed her what all the noise i was making was about.

How did you stabilize it so it does not turn in the wind?

It looks you put a rod into one rock to the next but not all the way through?

Did you then use glue to hold in together firmly?

Just curious ,, I do not plan to try it. But I really admire yours.

GREAT job Bill!

i drilled 4" into the base and 4" into the large red rock and inserted a 1/4" rod cut to length for added stability. then drilled through the flat one and into the red one above a couple inches and inserted rod. drilled into the top and through the first black grey rock. you need to be very careful when drilling as you will break out the back of the rock, so you go through half way and come back at it from the other side and hope that you meet in the middle. had perfect holes for these luckily. there is no glue used as the 1/4" drill bit is a nice tight fit for the rod. each hole in the rest of the rocks is 1 1/2" deep or so, wind will not move these around.

i just hold the rock down in a bucket of crushed stone and hope it does not move much while drilling with the other hand and hope the holes are true. if the hole is off a tad you can bend the rod by tapping it with a hammer to offset any small difference.

you cannot see any of the rod, using the right shaped rock to match the one below it insures that it is invisible.