Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: When we first moved into our house, the back yard patio was mostly overgrown with shrubs and bushes. After removing them last fall, we found new ways to use all the "new" space just unveiled. By adding a birch tree, hostas, rabbit's ear and other plants separated from my mom's garden, and making a brand new fence, this space is beyond enjoyed -- both usable and lovely to view.

How did you create it?: My husband, Josh, wanted to create a gabion style wall as our fence (there had previously been a low chain link fence with large shrubs in front). He got 6' tall steel posts, stabilized them in the ground with concrete, and then welded two layers of wire mesh with enough room in between (and at the top) for filling with river rock. Josh made the door from old wood paneling that we ripped out of our home. We later used the left over rocks to edge our small garden.

Recommended store, site, product or resource? Talk to neighbors and friends! Our sun sail came from a friend in landscaping who had a stockpile of extras; the welded wire mesh was offered to us from a neighbor who saw our project (she had extra left over from shop displays at work). Josh had initially used a lighter, flimsier wire mesh, but when this material was offered, he happily started over. We had the river rocks delivered from Des Plaines Landscape Supply.