Gnome Sweet Gnome II

Working in the yard can be so rewarding! We have finished the bridge and have started working on the goldfish pond. DH talked me into getting a "shell" pond. This is the kind that you can buy from Lowes in the garden section. I had wanted to free form the pond and have it disappear under the decking, but since  I am not allowed to dig holes, I was out voted :(  My digging is kind of hap hazard and it falls under the category of things I have attempted but failed, good for me but not so for hubby. I can dig holes for plants and stuff like that but not ones that require precision. He used a level to make sure that the water level would be "level". This is why I like free form. You dig a hole, round out the bottom of hole with sand, place liner on top of sand, run liner around sides and over top of hole, lay decorative rock around sides of hole and wha-la, you have a nice pond, no levels involved-at least not in my book. But I wasn't the one digging, so shell it is. "It's easier this way," said hard working hubby.  He trucked around 12 wheelbarrows of dirt out of that hole. Well....the shell is in the hole. We will fine tune it and fill it with water this weekend if the weather holds out. Anyway, getting back to my bridge. I call it my Gnome Bridge(and sometimes it is called a Troll Bridge, shhh don't tell the gnomes).  I have my old, weathered, Gnome under the bridge now, keeping guard from the Trolls. Hopefully this weekend I can get some pictures and post them. It is a simple bridge, with a Japanese influence, that is a home to a weathered German Gnome. Speaking of gnomes. I have some gnome sisters to share with you.  I also made them a mushroom house. I was going to make the house out of felt, but alas, I ran out of white felt. Only scraps in my basket. So this mushroom house is made out of scrapbooking paper with felt accents. I think it turned out cute. You could easily make it out of felt too. I had planned on making it 3D, made the same way as my shakers, of course without the shaker and stick. So even though this pattern was originally intended for felt it works perfect for paper. I think that all of my patterns could be made using paper, except maybe the character trinket boxes.

Sister Gnomes

  Little sis comes with the fawn and big sis comes with the rabbit. The fawn and rabbit were made using Elizabeth's (Creative Breathing) easy to follow instructions. 

Little sis is $20 (shipping included in the price), paperclay mushroom included and the fawn is a free gift with her. She does not come with the red stand. The stand is simple to make. Purchase wooden plaque at Hobby Lobby, paint it, and then glue the ribbon on. Add a bow and pearl accent.

Close up of face. She does have a nose and mouth. She is much smaller than normal clothespin dolls. She stands at 3 1/4" tall, not including hat.

Big sis is $25 (includes shipping). She comes with a paperclay mushroom and the sweet little rabbit is a free gift with her. Red stand not included.

The Sister Gnomes were made using my Holly Gnome pattern. The only difference is that I painted their hair on instead of using yarn.

Paper Mushroom House. I used my Cuttlebug to cut the flowers out but you could use buttons or circles cut out of felt. The vine is painted on with felt circle flowers (used my smallest hole punch). Grass is cut out of felt and so is the bluebird.

Add a hand painted welcome sign and slats for the windows.

I used a cereal box to stabilize the house. The stand is also made out of a cereal box. 

(sorry, corners of mushroom top were clipped off, please add them to your pattern)

If you would like to purchase one of the clothespin dolls, just leave a comment and I will get in touch with you and send you my address. Please make sure that your email address is connected to your comment link. I will send you the doll after I receive your check, easy peasy, no credit cards involved! After a week, if the dolls have not sold, I will list them in my Esty store <:)

I hope that you enjoy making some sweet little gnomes and a mushroom house! If you have any questions about the dolls or the house, just ask, I will be happy to explain anything!

Next up: Birthdays!!

Have a wonderful and blessed day,

Holly