First, in the interest of full disclosure, let it be said that I -- that would be Dennis -- do not have a close, nurturing, loving relationship with power tools.

Oh sure, the chain saw and I have an understanding of sorts -- I'll only use you occasionally, and you'll let me keep all 10 fingers, at least for now.

And then there's the hedge trimmer, which I used to trim, well, hedges, and to sever the wiring of the "invisible fence" for our dogs at least twice a year -- although I'm getting quite good at reattaching electrical lines, at least.

Marcia's relationship is, well, a little different, as she will not hesitate to tell you.

I worship power tools. For example, one day I called Dennis at work after I had bought my first compound miter saw and proclaimed, not entirely seriously, "I have found God."

All very interesting, for sure, but that doesn't change the fact she almost ate a slug. Well, not the slug exactly, but most certainly, she ate food that slug left a slimy trail on, and seemed to enjoy it, too.

In my defense, it's not like I picked a slug up off the ground and ate it. The slug had crawled into our dish we'd taken to a potluck in our friends' backyard. We inadvertently took the slug home with us (it was dark, after all) and put the dish and the slug into the fridge for lunch (the food, not the slug) the next day. It wasn't until I was finishing up the food (or so he claims) that Dennis noticed the slimy little critter on the inside of the lid. I'm sure it crawled all over the food and did what slugs do, if you get my drift. I'm still freaked out!

But enough. What, you're probably asking yourself, does this have to do with anything?

Well, as for the first one, this is all about using power tools, which is why you'll find me indoors for most of it, watching whatever sports -- NFL exhibitions, anyone? -- or movies ( I heard the third "Mummy" movie isn't bad) I can find on TV. As for the slug, well, it was just too juicy a tidbit to let pass, don't you think?

But enough, you're saying -- and if you're not, you really should be -- what about this week's project?  Good point.

This week's project is carving stone, which is precisely as easy as it sounds to you (to me, it sounds impossible), as Marcia will explain (not that I won't interject at times, of course, since I have nothing better to do).

Go to the rock yard. Pick out some flagstone that is appropriate for the project -- larger pieces should be 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick; smaller pieces should be thinner but not so thin they would fracture. Make sure the pieces are not layered and flaky (yes, I could mention Dennis here, but I'll pass). Harder stone, such as quartzite, will take longer to carve and will dull your blade quicker, but will be more durable. Softer stone, such as slate, is easier to carve, easier on the blade, but might not wear as well. Consider whether the stone will be used indoors or outdoors.

The saw should have a general-purpose diamond blade, which should be either continuous rim or turbo rim (a segmented blade would buck; don't use one). They run anywhere from $30 to $50.

I've carved a lot of leaves for my clients, including one that I delivered nine leaves to only to find that two had been inadvertently broken before they were installed into a patio. All this is a long way of saying that if you plann to use these outdoors, be careful with them and plan to mortar them into a patio or walkway or walls.

Use a Sharpie or grease pencil to draw the pattern on the stone. I use a portable worktable and clamp the rock down with the edge I want to work on slightly hanging over the side. This way I can use both hands to carve the stone. Make sure the table is stable.

Cut the stone -- make sure you wear a mask (my husband thinks Nixon would be fine, although a dust mask is a little more effective) and earplugs and safety goggles.

For a leaf, cut off the outer pieces with gradually deeper cuts until you have a leaf shape, then carve in the details. I run the tip of the blade at a 45-degree angle along the cut edge of the stone to remove the sharp edges and add texture.

Use a hand-held angle grinder for larger pieces. I use a 7-inch hand-held angle grinder for larger, thicker pieces and a 4 1/2-inch grinder for medium pieces and to carve details into the larger pieces.

Use your hand-held angle grinder outside because it makes noise -- a whole lot of noise -- and creates a lot of rock dust that coats everything, including your car and your neighbor's cars (Dennis: and, if they're watching you, your neighbor's kids). What you're looking for -- unless your neighbor's kids are driving you batty -- is an isolated place that can be hosed off afterward, because you will make a major mess.

If you are planning to use the stone indoors, make sure the thickness is consistent with the level of the surrounding floor.

Remember to be careful at all times when using power tools. Like Dennis, I still have all my fingers.

If I'm cutting smaller pieces, I use my wet tile saw, but the approach doesn't change.

Instead of something elaborate, you might want to start on a simple pattern and get the feel of carving rock, then go from there. Let your imagination run wild.

Marcia and Dennis Peck Slide show photos by Marcia Westcott Peck

In our next column -- if I can pull Dennis away from the third "Mummy" movie, which he insists really isn't that bad once you buy into the fact Brendan Fraser,  who wasn't even 40 yet, has a 25-year-old son -- we'll teach you how to make rock mosaics for your garden out of the stones you just carved.

Marcia Westcott Peck is a landscape designer (pecklandscape.com) and Dennis Peck is not. He is the editor of The Oregonian's Living section, which is a good thing for him, because if he actually had to use his hands for anything other than typing, it would not be pretty.

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