I love random junk.  I also love re purposing old random junk.  One of the places around my house that displays the most "junk" is the backyard.  I've got lots of "yard art" that I've purchased at different places.  One of my favorite places to get yard art is the Byrd's Nest in Kennett.  If I could fill the entire yard with yard art, I would.  I would be "that" person in the neighborhood.   

{Yard art.  This one is from the Byrd's Nest.} {Bird "tea party."  This once held water and bird seed.  The recent drought has left the tea cup empty and dry.  I bought this one here.} {Another drought stricken bird bath with hail damage.  This yard art has seen better days.  I got this one here.} {Yard art around the fish pond.  I found the turtle under our back steps after we moved in and I bought the metal butterfly piece at a flea market.} {This yard art holds a mosquito repellent candle.  This one is from the Byrd's Nest.}

Some people don't understand my yard art, but that doesn't stop me from buying and making more.

I recently went to the NARTS conference for work.  One of the workshops I attended was on closet chaos.  This is an interesting topic for me, because I'm always looking for new ideas on organization, especially organizing closets.  Two books were recommended for deciding what to keep and what to toss when cleaning out and organizing.  I checked out both books at the St. Louis County Library.

{Nothing to Wear? by Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo (please ignore the goofy cover photo.} {Wear This, Toss That! by Amy E. Goodman}

I'm half way through Nothing to Wear.  I would recommend it for those who are stuck in a clothing rut.  It has great tips on how to get rid of all of the stuff you don't need.  Reading this after watching an episode of Hoarding:  Buried Alive caused me to have crazy dreams. 

Our neighbors don't have to wonder what baseball team we cheer for.  Somehow Jason's love of the Cardinals has taken over our yard. 

{Stepping stone by the front door.}

{A flag for the porch.}

{The wreath I made for the front door.}

{And finally, Norm the gnome.}

Obsess much?  I think so.  You should see our guest room.

I originally saw this project on the Today show when Emily from my favorite blog shared this as one of her 5 must-haves for summer.  It's an easy way to take an old brooch and make it new.

{I bought this brooch at a thrift store last week.}

{Take any nail polish you have and start painting.  I used bright, fun colors.}

{Finished.}

{Paired with a cute bumble bee pin.}

 This was a super easy project that only cost me the $2 for the brooch.  Try it!