May's Challenge: Stashbuster Wreath

For May's challenge I made this Gnome and Toadstool wreath:

I had been wanting to make another little gnomey wreath for my front door.   I dug around in my stash and found everything I needed....some of the toadstools were ones I made last year for Christmas.  I made the flowers using hot glue and ribbon.

This gnome takes center stage:

Get your posts in by June 1st so I can send someone something for participating!

Gunter is happily watching "Lord of the Rings" while we all wait for the New Year to arrive.

Wishing you all a happy,  healthy New Year in 2014!   
May you and your families have much joy and happiness in the year to come.

Gnome in a fishtank

I found this fun project on National Geographic Kids so it's a safe site to visit.
While surfing for something (I can't remember lol) I came across this cute project.
I thought this would be a good project for people who can't or don't wish to have a Gnome area outside.
It would also be a good project for anyone who would like to bring a little Gnomie-ness inside.
I think I might try this one later.
It would also work with real plants or some little fake guys. Or you could just skip the plants and make a little fairy garden.

Gnome pattern

Girls, I squealed with delight when I saw this pattern while scrolling through the pages on Craftgossip.com.
http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2011/07/july-stitchalong-mimilove.html

If you LOVE gnomes (that's all of us taking part in YOE, I'm sure), you really need to check this out .... it is SUPER CUTE!!!!
I'm popping back there now, to print off the pattern in all 4 sizes:-D
I'll be back a little later today, to share with you the truly enchanting ladybug package I recieved from Melinda yesterday - she is so awesomly talented!!!

gnome gift tags

I was looking for gnomie ideas for this month's theme and ran across these cute gnome gift tags from allendesigns.typepad.com :





HERE is the link....go check out Michele's blog.....it is AWESOME! (or as Barney Stinson would say LEGENDARY!

gnomies, toadstools and cocoa, OH MY!

I received my winter swap ornie package from Kendall today!

Here is a look see altogether....Mr. Gnomie, a cute toadstool card, some fun earrings, a precious toadstool scene (which is begging to be turned into another ornie) and some peanut butter hot cocoa....which sounds delicious!



Mr. Gnomie, up close and on my YOE tree already!




a close up of the earrings....I think she made the toadstool ones with shrinky dinks.....total cuteness, they will be worn tomorrow!



Thank you Kendall! Your package is en route...can't wait for you to get it!

A Gnome Package from an "Angel"

I received an Angel package from our wonderful host, Val.

Val made me the cutest little gnome and a gnome home for him to relax in.

Val also sent me some wonderful goodies. I opened the box and it smelled so good! There is a lavender sachet, Fairy Bath Salts, flower seeds, a bookmark, and some fabric cutouts. Oh there is a container with some little mints in it, but it somehow dissappeared? I wonder if my kids know where it went?? I think so!

Here are the gnome ornaments and gnome trees that I had made for my partner. I got the pattern from Elizabeth's blog, Creative Breathing, and just did a few alterations.


I also made this gnome garland out of felt.


Thank you Val for the wonderful package!

Gunter!

Meet Gunter.



Gunter is a Black Forest gnome from the toadstool clan. Black Forest gnomes are happy, helpful creatures who like beer.

Here's the problem: Gunter can't HANDLE beer.

So I sat Gunter down and we had a little talk about the get together we were having over the 4th. We talked about how much beer he could have.....which is NONE. We talked about the bad gnomes here and here and how he had better not behave that way.
Gunter gladly agreed and told me that if I just made sure to have some good music, sparkling conversation and yummy snacks, he would be on his best behavior.

Gunter is a liar.

Shortly after our guests arrived, I saw him doing THIS!



And THIS! I didn't even KNOW he liked margaritas!



Then he started hitting on the ladies







Then the complaining started....

He did not like the music because we didn't have any good drinking songs.

He did not like the spinach dip because he doesn't like the color green.

He did not like the sparkling conversation because no other gnomes were present. Now in his defense, he did request I bring Gretchen gnome because he had the hots for her.
When invited, she politely declined saying she had a 'headache....'
(When pressed after the party, she admitted that she KNEW Gunter was a liar. I asked why she didn't warn me and she said "ALL gnomes are liars." She was REALLY adamant about it. I got the feeling she'd been hurt in a bad gnome relationship so I just let it go.....yikes.)

I decided he had gone too far and shoved him into my birdcage for a much needed time out.

After much begging and pleading, I let him out...only to catch him later looking for leftovers!


The next morning I found Gunter snuggling up to Ginger. He apologized profusely and said he would never, ever, ever do it again.


But I think Gunter is a liar. What do you think?

Gnomes, Gnomes, Gnomes

Kim was my partner for June. I  made her a felt ornament and a crocheted stuffie. Once again this poor Gnome has no arms or legs. Keeps them out of trouble that way, right?

I also made her this felt Gnome banner. I guess I can only do "cute" things. I've tried to go over to the "dark" side but I guess it's just not me lol. I used mushroom ribbon for the tabs. I love being able to add little touches like that. The ribbons were sent to me earlier in the swap. Sorry, but I don't remember from who. I'm rotten that way.


***Gary the Gnomes 4th of July***

As usual it rained for most of the day. I can't remember a year that we didn't have rain for most of the 4th. Gary watched the rain fall hoping it would let up in time for fireworks.

While it rained outside Gary was inside telling me how to sew properly. Ha! Gary has no sense of color. He's even worse than I am!

The rain let up enough later in the day so we could go outside and play with Robbie on the dome.

Gary helped Daddy grill up some burgers. They were delicious! I am horrible at grilling burgers so we let Daddy take care of the burgers. I made 6 pounds of tater salad and we also made some pickled beets. Open a can of Bush's grillin' beans and you have a nice meal.

No fireworks pictures because I was in charge of holding the dog's leash. She was determined to jump up into the sky to catch the bright lights. Silly dog. After fireworks we went inside to eat some red, white, and blue Jello cake. A sweet end to a sweet day :)



A little extra bragging...

I was featured to day over at Stitchin' Heaven. WooHoo!!

Great minds think alike...

Yesterday I recieved my enchanting gnome package from Melinda. I told myself that I WAS NOT going to open it until I got mine in the mail (I mailed mine today, I was a little late). It was a torturous 24 hours...but I made it...and when I opened it, look what I found inside!!! A whole gnome family complete with a gnome home!! SO FUN!
Are they not the cutest little gnome family ever?? You can see baby in the gnome home behind the family. And the GREAT thing about them is that I'm pretty sure Melinda and I were inspired by the EXACT same source. :) So they were an automatic *LOVE-LOVE* She also made a cute little card holder out of the funnest floral fabric, two different chapsticks and a very creative card. THANK YOU Melinda...they are all AWESOME! My three year old has already played with them...carefully with a watched eye, and wants to play with them some more...especially the gnome that is "his."

We've also been working in our yard some. I finally got around to a toad abode. I tend to collect vintage green pottery, like that 1970's shade of green...it's so ugly I just LOVE it. Well, one of my pots with a plant in it broke, so I turned it upside down for a very fashionable abode. I also stacked a few rocks to one side to support that "cracked wall", the rock pile is also exactly where the water drips from the faucet. I also planted a little plant next to it, I hope it survives, it was from a plant stores freebie corner.

Oh, and here's a teaser pic of what I sent to Melinda...the gnomes are pretty obvious....but hey...that's what June's ornament theme was...gnomes. :) hahaha

Gary the Gnome

This is Gary the Gnome. Poor Gary doesn't have any arms or legs lol.  I used this pattern (on the sidebar) but added the eyelash yarn for the beard instead of the felt that the pattern called for.

A day out.

This month, I had the pleasure of swapping in PERSON!

My partner was Courtney. She lives far away but was going to be close for Father's Day weekend. We got together for lunch and to swap and visit.

I had more fun and I loved meeting a fellow blogger in person!

I was seriously spoiled with the goodies she made me

sweet embroidery patterns, a lovely necklace and handmade tote bag, a darling embroidered hankie and a hootie! The dammit doll is in LSU colors...of course!

Here is a close up of the cutest gnome ever!

and a sweet pincushion with handmade pins...

She even made a sweet bag for Curly Girl...


Now for what I created....

Here is the gnome I made using this tutorial

and I made these 2 for her also...

and some cupcake toppers..in case of a party...you know how gnomes love a good party!


and an acorn gnome with some cotton tape with my mini mushroom stamped on it


other goodies were some bias tape, clover seeds, a crocheted pattern for some gnome dolls and other stash goodies...all ready to be packed into the red paper covered box.


I had such a great time, I wish I could meet ALL of you!

June's challenge

I think she turned out pretty cute! I can't wait to 'use' her for next month's activity!

I couldn't wait any longer to announce June's theme! I've also emailed everyone their new partner information. Please email one another if you need too. Also, remember that all ornies must be hand made.

June ornament:
GNOME!!!!

June challenge:
to create a gnome toy/doll to use over the next couple of months.
I encourage everyone to do this month's challenge. I can't tell you WHY yet.

June activity:
place a "toad abode" in your garden near a leaky faucet.
A flower pot tipped on its side works great...the frogs and toads will thank you during the hot days of summer. If you do this, please post photos for us all to see!

"...because garden gnomes dance 'round the toadstool at night, singing merry little cheerful songs."

June's partners!

Val & Courtney
Robin & Kim
Nikki & Missy B.
Anna & Gin
Sandy & Kerry
Jenny & Natalie
Sherry & Missy H.
Ramie & Melinda