If you’re familiar with my hugely popular website that has lots of DIY unique garden art projects The-Artistic-Garden.com, then you KNOW you’ll be just as pleased with all the great information and how-tos found on this new site.

So come on in, and take some time to look around. If you’ve got information to share after reading a specific post, then please leave a comment or helpful suggestion. Everybody can benefit from each others trials, tribulations and great tips in making handmade garden art items. Me included.

I received an email the other day from Pat, one of the many The-Artistic-Garden friends who contact me to share their ideas and photos. Pat thought we’d all enjoy seeing these gnome photos, and I agreed. So here goes:

Hi Claudia,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your web site and also to send you a photo of the gnome display my step-dad has in his yard. The round balls you see are something he got years and years ago from a place where he worked. I have no idea what they are made of but probably cement.

Additionally, I also have included a photo from a company that is selling these “gnome stealers” and they are getting about $40.00 a set for them. I’m sure some of your readers could make their own and they are just toooooo funny!

All the best,
Pat

Well thanks Pat for taking the time to send these to me. LOVE those gnome stealers – way too funny!!! I’ve never seen those before, either.

And Pat, you’re right, I’ll bet there are many people that know how to weld, or know someone who will help them, to make their own homemade gnome stealers. (If anyone out there reading this blog has ever made garden gnome stealers – please let me know. I am sure there are lots of other garden art enthusiasts who’d would want to give that project a try.)

Thanks to you, and your step-dad, for sharing the cute garden gnomes display photo with all of us.

I received a very nice email recently from “Twigs Way”, the author of a new book about garden gnomes, asking if I’d be kind enough to review it and make a mention about it on my blog. I am always happy to try and accommodate these type of requests when I can, but only if I think my readers would be interested in the review of the product. In this case, I do think many of you would be interested in adding this informative book to your reading library.

This 50-page book has GREAT photos and wonderfully interesting information about gnome history. You’ll find facts tracing gnome history and their public appeal throughout time. I give this little book two thumbs up. Garden Gnomes: A History

Product Description

This is the intriguing story of garden gnomes and how they have come to reside in the flowerbeds of gardens across Britain. Originating in Europe, gnomes made the leap across the channel in the nineteenth century, where they were welcomed warmly by wealthy Brits who saw them as the must-have garden accessory. But the fortunes of the humble gnome were not to last, and they soon found themselves sneered at by serious gardeners. Turned away from fashionable gardens, the little gnomes found a friend in many a working class gardener, who adopted them in increasing numbers, and in a variety of humorous poses. Today, gnomes are as popular with the masses as ever, and this entertaining illustrated history will appeal to those who love, and hate, these small bearded characters.

About the Author

Twigs Way (yes – this is the author’s pseudonym) is a garden historian and writer, and the author of a number of books on garden subjects, including Crocodiles in the Fernery and Allotments. The author lives in Cambridge, England.

A delightful little book, indeed. Click here to learn more or order a copy now: Garden Gnomes: A History

Just because I get so awe-struck every year when this Dahlia, cultivar ‘Contraste’, begins to bloom in my very own garden, I thought I’d share with everyone what this particular Dahlia looks like. I am always glad to see the new little buds pushing up from the ground in Spring, letting me know it made it through the winter.

I admit, I don’t dig up the tubers and divide them and then store them in the Fall like Dahlia aficionados would do. But I’ve never lost one of my Dahlia plants (I’ve got two other varieties) by leaving them in the ground. Maybe it’s because I’m in planting zone 6B and our winters aren’t as brutal as the more northern states.

Click here “planting zone maps” to find your particular zone if you don’t know it.

Purple does happen to be my favorite color, so the deep purpley-maroonish color of this flower certainly helps it inch on up to the top of my “most favorite flowers” list!

The Dahlia in this photo measures 6-inches wide! It brings a smile to my face every time I see it and I marvel at what God can create.

Hey – Google (yes that #1 most used search engine) is having a fun contest for one child’s doodle art to end up on their home page May 21st. That’ll be a pretty neat honor for some talented kid.

Personally, I hope a younger child can beat out an older kid – like a kindergartener wins out over a 12th grader. Anyway … that’s just me (I like to root for the “little guy” not to make a sort-of pun here) but I’m getting off the subject, so back to what I was posting …

Here’s an example from the Grades K-3 division that I really like. I also like the student’s description of his doodle:

The public voting is NOW – May 11th – May 18th. Please take a minute and place a vote in each age group. You can see the doodle art and vote right here: Doodle Art Finalists.

I wish all the kids best Doodle Luck!