Daisy and Bright--the circles in the mushroom caps were done with bubble wrap. I pre popped it (so the holes wouldnt be too deep) and then lined my glass bowls with that instead of saran wrap. Then we just poured some thin set mortar (bought at the home improvement store for 8 bucks for a big box of powder that you mix with water). We used toilet paper tubes inserted in the mortar for the stems and, since we didn't have any rebar on hand, i put old butter knives down the middle as a "stake". Basically, just a modified version of some instructions i've seen on this board! :) THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE! You're all so so friendly! I can't wait to post my next project--i just have to decide which project is next! I used to look forward to the weekends because it meant a break from work---now i primarily look forward to them because it means i will have free time for my yard art! When we bought this house 2 years ago (our first home--we closed 2 weeks before our wedding and bought the house instead of taking a honeymoon), the place was a wreck. It was a foreclosure owned by someone who clearly hated yard work. They had replaced all the grass with tons and TONS of river rock and had taken a huge part of the yard and put up 3 massive chain link dog kennels. Between all the hard work we've done getting rid of rock, taking down kennels, and planting grass, I hadn't had much time to enjoy the yard. This spring was our turning point and, between the fruits of our labors and my newfound love of Garden Junk, I'd rather be in my back yard than any other place in the world!

Oh yes, I have a fair amount of 'yard art.' It is definitely more to the informal, country, whimisical side, some might call it kitschy. For example, I have a sundial, 3 bird baths in various gardens, a 2-tiered fountain (these are nice), an old wagon wheel, an old water pump (country), a toad house, various statues peaking out here and there, quite a few bird houses on the fence posts, wind chimes, and even some old candlesticks (3 different sizes together) with colored marbles on top instead of candles. Oh also have a gazing ball. Many of these items were rescued from Hurricane Katrina and are not in the best of shape, (like the candlesticks) but they are valuable to me and each piece really tells a story. Like the wagon wheel was given to me by a dear neighbor, who we don't see anymore due to the Hurricane. But I am definitely a bit kitschy, even nailing my first Mississippi license plates to the fence (have a magnolia motif in the center) when they replaced the plates with the Biloxi Lighthouse (love those too). And don't forget a bottle tree with colored bottles to catch evil spirits, a very (informal) Southern gardening thing. I like the ideas that you have for your yard art, definitely more refined and I think would be lovely. I am not sure I would have the discipline to pass up all the cutesy novelties I see, I even recently had to retire a dying plastic pink flamingo! Laurie

Definitely Yard Art !!! All of it! And it's yard art of the VERY best kind since there is a story to go with all of it. I LOVE IT! May others please join with in pictures of their yard art. I did a little yard arting this morning. We collected a number of cypress knees when on vacation to Florda many, many years ago. We made a glass topped coffee table and lamps from them which have long been dismantled, but I kept them. Just a few minutes ago I lined them up on the top of the lattice frame that borders the deck. Looks kind of silly, but oh well; nobody will ever up there anyway ... LOL ... but I finally did something with them after all these years and they do hold happy memories. So what's your bit to offer in the yard art category?

Thanks Rosie. That painting is a pleasure for me on so many levels - the crazy coloring, the "art" labeling, the primitiveness... I am way too constrained to create that freely. And then there is the personal - knowing all DH was going through at the time and his very surprising decision to try painting for respite. It inspires me. For the OP, reflect on what is appealing to you about those museum pieces you like. Crystalize that as best you can. Any gallery would be happy to help you discover works you love, for a price. If that price is prohibitive, try 'lesser' galleries, student art shows, resale shops, art fairs - just look and trust yourself to respond. Let yourself make a mistake or two, it's the only way to learn what you really love. And yes, framing can make all the difference.