I am moonlighting as a Mason!
Yes, you heard me correctly. Mason or “Brickie” if you are British. A skill that I don’t talk about unless I have to. A skill that I possess without even realizing it. Don’t ask me how or why, but I do.
Take the project that got me started.
My husband and I built a walkway to connect our front porch to our side yard. First time ever laying stone…. and it wasn’t to be the last. Feeling cool, confident and cocky we then tackled this…..
Yes, a pond and water feature in our backyard. This project actually took two summers and was done in phases. It was a true testament of our skill level and marriage! Note: We are still married- happily!
Feeling like retirement was imminent for us, we called in some professionals to create this addition
Just like Michael Jordan, we decided to come out of retirement to play a few more NBA seasons work on one last project, which ironically was the easiest of all so far. We created steps.
First it was two simple stone steps.
Then it was three simple stone steps
Steps that take us from the front yard to the side yard, from the pond to the pit, from the pit to the play area
and back to the front porch again.
I love how things come full circle!
Anybody else a Mason?
PS- click here for the behind the scenes DIY
Beautiful stone work….can't believe you did it yourselves! It is gorgeous! Linda
Wow you have some mad mason skills! I have done zero brick work….but I grow some mean rocks here in my fields in Missouri. Let me know if you need some!
Good job! My husband built the stone wall on one side of our pond and along the driveway extension to his garage, but no cement was used.
Now those are some incredible skills to possess!!! IMPRESSIVE Laura!! 🙂
You are sure handy to have around! Do you hire out? lol
Seriously, you guys are talented and the paths, and steps are amazing.
Laura your grounds are beautiful! Wish the hubby and I had that skill! We have to hire out all our mason jobs, but we found a great guy and we have him back every year to do a project so he's been very reasonable with his prices. You guys have talent!!
Wow Laura- that is something that I will likely never embark upon but kudos to you, talented lady!
Enjoy your weekend.
xo~
T
You talent never ceases to amaze me! And silly me, I thought the steps would be the hardest part …
🙂
Linda
wow!! looks gorgeous…good for you!! we have stone for our patio…costs like$$$$$$$$!
Raising my hand….. mason and mason's assistant. Or Brick layer and brick.
~Bliss~
You did a great job! I have done some stacked-stone walls in the past, never anything done with mortar. Would love to, if I could only turn back the years, but if I tried that now, it would undoubtedly be the end of me!
I can't even begin to express how impressed I am 🙂
Oh my goodness it's beautiful! You two were made for each other, I don't want to test my marriage!
Laura…your walkways, steps and waterfall/pond are amazing…What an incredible job you and your hubby did!!…I am in total awe!!.
Have a great weekend! Oh and i love the fire pit!!!
Your stone work in very impressive!
Fabulous! What a beautiful blog and gorgeous projects! Thanks for sharing!
Cheery wave from Bev
http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com
So glad Brenda shared your blog and I was able to take the tour. I hope to visit as often as I can and invite you to mine, too.
Betty
I'm in love with your front porch and stonework. You did such a beautiful job, Laura!
Wow, incredible job on all the stonework. I love the pond! I enjoyed the tour, especially like the blue garden bike! I'm you're newest follower.
Laura- I have just discovered your blog through Brenda over at Cozy Little House- I am your newest follower- You are VERY talented! xo Diana
The steps look beautiful but be very careful when you step on them. Sorry to mention it, but stone steps are harder and harder to maneuver as one gets old and older; bricks are better because they are not slick on top but are rough and since they have sharp, squared off sides, tops and bottoms, you can lay them into much safer steps.Just watch your step, please! 🙂
I just came over from Cozy Little House. I love your "Brickie" work. Well done. I could not have done this. Looks absolutely beautiful. I'm your newest follower 😉
Hi there! Visiting from Cozy Little House! You have done a wonderful job! I know all about stones…we did all of ours on our patio. Looks like your firepit will provide many years of service!
I'm very impressed with both your skills and the end result. Your yard is so lovely!
sharon @ mrs. hines class
I learned how to lay bring a looong time ago. I'm pretty sure I could still do it.
Your stone all looks great! If you want to come out of retirement and need a yard to work in, you could come to my house…my yard needs a lot of work.
I popped over from Brenda's blog. So happy to find you. Very impressive work. 😉 My husband laid a brick terrace in the back yard of our previous house, built a huge deck, remodeled the inside of the house, painted the outside, . . . I could keep listing his projects on our first home. He went into retirement when we moved to this home. 😉
I'm off to see more of your space………Sarah
I think you did a great job! Also , I love your blog. Good job on the masonry.
I love stone..what an amazing job…I have a pond as well…rubber liner!! I suggest you don't put any fish in it..Much, much less trouble and cleaner…
Laura! You did fantastic! I love your masonry. Impressive. Come link it up with us at the party http://www.finecraftGuild.com/party
Oh my goodness…I love the results! Well worth all your efforts! Featuring you tomorrow. XO, Aimee
Your masonry work is really amazing, Laura!
Awesome! No, I have no masonry skills but wish I did. Your stone features are gorgeous!