Red White and Blue

We the gnomes of the United Gardens, in order to form a more perfect oasis, establish laughter, ensure aromic tranquility, provide for the common beauty, promote the general optimism, and secure the blessings of simple joys to ourselves and our loved ones, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United Gardens of Gnifferland...

Keeper of the Fireworks

I don't think this tiny fella can keep calm anymore. If you ask me, it kind of looks like he is about to burst with excitement and I know just the feeling! This is the time of the year when the sun shines brighter, the grass looks greener and a good picnic is a common occurance in any corner of the garden. But best of all, it's time for fireworks! There is nothing better than a good display of fireworks. Oh the big cracks and booms! Oh the bright colors! And we owe it all to this tiny little cracker of a gnome. After all, it's his job to make sure the fireworks are all as colorful as possible and have the appropriate level of bang. I think he should get a promotion, or at least a raise, don't you?

Busy Bee

This little bug of a guy is as busy as a bee, but to those in the gnome community know that's not a bad thing. Sure, it seems like he's always running here and there and barely has the time to stop to stay still for even a moment, but I bet he has noticed one thing about bees that you may have over looked. Have you ever noticed what bees are so busy buzzing about? Flowers, of course! So if you were to call a gnome "busy as a bee" I am certain he would be touched, for no one takes more time to stop and smell the flowers than a busy buzzing bee! Aww now look what you've done... you've given him a reason to buzz himself.

Guardian of the Strawberry Patch

It's no secret that strawberries are delicious, but the ones that are grown by gnomes are particularly sweet and juicy. So it should come as no surprise that the town council voted unanimously the strawberry patch needs to be protected. Not just anygnome can qualify for such an important job. We need a master of the mind, a master of disguise, a master of all things green... who better to protect the patch than a master gardener?! Now that the strawberries are safe, the gnome colony has no worries about having enough berries for their upcoming strawberry festival. It's one of the best events of the year!

Love Bugs

Ask anygnome what ladybugs love to do, and the answer will always be the same. Ladybugs simply adore hanging around gentle souls who have a positive outlook on the garden around them. So it is no wonder why they can't get enough of this little gnomette. It seems that she is almost always smiling and if a reason to smile doesn't come to her, well then she just makes one up! How she stays so cheerful, we may never know. Perhaps the ladybugs know her secret, but just try to get it out of them... the most luck I've had was for one ladybug to tell me "We (heart) her!" over and over again.

Guardian of the Strawberry Patch

It's no secret that strawberries are delicious, but the ones that are grown by gnomes are particularly sweet and juicy. So it should come as no surprise that the town council voted unanimously the strawberry patch needs to be protected. Not just anygnome can qualify for such an important job. We need a master of the mind, a master of disguise, a master of all things green... who better to protect the patch than a master gardener?! Now that the strawberries are safe, the gnome colony has no worries about having enough berries for their upcoming strawberry festival. It's one of the best events of the year!

Gnew Home

This little lady has recently moved into a gnew home. She has been looking forward to this moment for so many seasons and now the time is finally here! She is so excited to fix up the place to make it feel homey and cozy, but most of all she's excited about the garden. It may not seem like much to the others in the community, but finally she has her own little space to "pretty up" with whatever flowers and plants make her happy. She can't wait to get started! Congrats, sweet lady on your gnew home, and as the Gnomish blessing goes: May your home be wee but your garden be grand!

Secret Admirer

This little fella is all twitterpated. He has found his Love and wants to be around her all the time. The only problem is that he is a little shy, thus he dons a disguise so that she won't recognize him. When he's ready, he'll tell her how amazing he thinks she really is, but until then he is just happy to watch her from afar. If she does happen to recognize him (how could she not, after all he's her love too), then all the better. He's ready to give her his heart at any time.

Treasure Hunting

These two little spirits found each other years ago and have been exploring the garden together ever since. There is nothing better than a good exploration with your soul mate! As they go along on their adventures, the two search for treasures to take back to their nest. Sometimes the items are hidden in plain sight but other times they have to get creative and sneak up on the treasure, incognito if you will. Either way, the hoard is always worth more to these two because they found it themselves, and this time is no exception. Just look at this heart gem! Who knows how the little couple will manage to get it home, but at least it'll go perfectly with the other treasures!

PERSONAL GNOTE:
This gnome and his mushroom friend are made from wool that was bought in the Cotswolds region in England. You might think that buying wool there would be easy, since the region is known for its wool history, but you'd be wrong. Most people just looked at me like I was crazy for wanting just plain wool. In the end, we bought a wool duster. Yes, you heard me. I figued I could cut the wool off and make a gnome out of it. Why? Well, that's a story for another blog. Let me just say that I now know that not all wool is created equal and I certainly will not be looking to purchase more duster wool for making any future gnomes.

A Bug's Life

These gnomes have been assigned to bug duty, a job that every gnome in the community has to serve on occasion. While serving bug duty, one is responsible for counting all the insects in the garden (to help determine if there is enough yummy stuff for them to eat)! This is no easy task, as I'm sure you can imagine. Some bugs are fast and they zip around trying to avoid being counted. Other bugs like to hide and hope to not be ever be seen for the count. And finally, there are bugs that hop back and forth, hoping to be counted twice. They all think it's just fun and games. This time is different, though. This time the bug patrol has decided to disguise themselves so they can get close enough to get the most accurate count in history. Wish them luck, because for such small beings, I don't think they realize just how big those numbers can really get! It's a bitty job, but somegnome has to do it.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
I thought I'd make this set a little more whimsical and chose to do bright colors instead of "black." I think I like how it turned out, but I'd like to know what you think. Should I have stayed with standard colors?

A Tiny Present

This little gnomette is so excited! Look at the beautiful yellow blooms that she has found! And her most favorite color, none-the-less! I'm sure you've heard the story before: Gnome finds great treasure; Gnome wants to keep the treasure; but Gnome knows the treasure is even more perfect for somegnome else; so Gnome gives up the treasure; and Gnome rides off in the sunset, happy to have been able to brighten a loved one's day with a smile. Gnomes are all about the happy endings, and this little lady is no different. She's so excited to present her flowers to her pal, Princess Pat, that she even has a little skip in her walk as she hurries on her way. Oh, I hope she can make Pat smile, but something tells me she will.

Kinder Garden

Though this tiny teacher loves to tend to the little seedlings in her own tiny garden every chance she gets, her friends and family understand that's not the only garden she brings to life. It's in the garden where all the tiny gnomelings play that her true talents really shine. She LOVES to cultivate their imaginations and zest for life. She teaches the little gnomelings how to be big in a world that expects them to be so small, and if her own three grown daughters (and two beautiful grandgnomelings) are any indication of her success, then the garden is going to be a beautiful place for years to come. It's no wonder that her own parents are so proud.

All the Small Things

If there is one thing everygnome understands, it's that the physics of karma work like this: small acts of kindness lead to great rewards. Don't ask me to explain how, but if you just take a moment to watch this little lady, it won't be long before it all makes sense. It seems that everywhere she turns, she is coming up with new ways to bring a smile to somegnome's face. And by the way she helps those who are less fortunate, it's obvious that this little gnomette is rich on life. She just radiates happiness and I can't help but believe that it must be contagious. Those whose lives she has touched know that they were blessed by her kindness. As for me, I know she makes the garden all the more vibrant. Thank you, little lady. Thank you for all the small things you do.

The smallest suprise

Sometimes, when you least expect it, a surprise will come to you and force a smile upon your face. Take this little fella, for example. He was just walking along one day, minding his own business, when he stopped to admire the corner garden patch of red and purple flowers. There was just something about the flowers that seemed to make him smile, but the best part came when he turned to head home and was stopped by the gnome tending to the garden. "Here, take some of the flowers with you and put them in a spot where you will see them often." Wow! What a surprise! The little fella rushes home, with a perfect spot already in mind!

Gnomish Wedding Blessings

This little lady is all giddy with excitement. She has too much of it to contain in her tiny little body. I think she might just bubble over with joy! From what I hear, though, she has good reason to be so whirly twirly. She's getting married today! Sometimes she has felt like her love has always been a part of her life, yet other times she felt like this day could not come soon enough. And now it's here and she is dressed with her best flowers and rosy cheeks. I think giddy is a good look on her, don't you? Well, congrats little lady! I hope the best for you, and as the Gnomish Blessing goes, "May brooks and trees and singing hills join in the chorus too, and every gentle wind that blows send happiness to you."