Keeper of the Purple Bottles

Gnomes like shiny things. Who doesn't? In most cases a gnome will stumble upon a shiny item while walking through his little garden. Maybe it is a bead that a person dropped? Or a bottle cap that was tossed as trash? Even a penny is often viewed by the humans as worthless, but the gnomes know better. Every time a gnome is lucky enough to stumble upon such treasures, they get all giddy with excitement and rush home to show their loved ones. Shiny gemstones, missing earrings, lost keys or buttons... as long as it's pretty, the gnomes are more than happy to keep the treasures safe for us. Most of the time, though, the treasures that are found are small in gnature, (you know, items that a human simply doesn't gnotice is missing) but that's gnot the case for the treasure that this little lady found! GREAT. BIG. PURPLE. GLASS. BOTTLES. An entire forest of bottles! Gnever before has she seen such a beautiful sight! This forest of purple glass must be protected, just like the other smaller treasures. Oh goody! As the gnome who was lucky enough to stumble upon such a find, she gets first dibbs at accepting the responsibility of protecting this place of magic! She is giddy with excitement! When can she start?

Book Worm

Most gnomes live in the garden, each in their tiny little cozy gnooks. Be it in under a mushroom, or in a hollow log, everygnome allows one thing to guide them to finding the location of their home - their gnose. You might have gnoticed by gnow, but everygnome has a big gnose, and for very good reason. The sense of smell is most important to gnomekind. Think about it... the reason most gnomes live in the garden is the variety of smells the outdoors offer. Some like the smell of the moist ground after a rainfall most of all. Some like the smell of the flowers in the garden, while other like the smell of freshly cut grass the best. Gnot this little fella. As luck would have it, he once stumbled into a grand old library and his gnose instantly told him he was home. Oh the smell of grand old books! There was gnothing like it in the entire garden! Gnever before had he felt so cozy, for as you may know, where ever you may find a happy gnose, you will also find a cozy gnome. What about you? What scent tells your gnose that you are home?

Patches

Sometimes you can just look at a gnome and know that she has been through more than any one gnome should have to go through. Her patches may be quite apparent and you can't help but wonder what the story is behind them. Yet, you also question if it matters. Yes this little patchwork of a soul has a story, but what amazes me is that you wouldn't know it by the way she acts. She wants to be just like any other gnomeling, and gno one can stop her from doing just that. She's going to jump and run and laugh and play and sing and leap and love just like all the other friends in the garden. She might actually enjoy those things more than they would because even if she doesn't say it, she knows that there will be bad days. There are some bad days when she has to stay inside the gnursery, too weak to run outdoors, but that doesn't mean the magic has to stay outside! Oh My Gnomes, the magic follows this soul where ever she may go. Maybe she has that effect because she doesn't like to see her loved ones worrying about her? I happen to have my own theory. Magic follows the good souls. And hers is as good as good can get. For a soul who is so much bigger than her body allows her to be, there is gno doubt that the garden has more magic because of her, as we can all use a tiny reminder that life is good, patches and all.

Sweet Wings

Awww, just look at this tiny soul... Such a sweetheart she is. She wears cute pink glasses so she can see better, and I have to say - I like her outlook. It seems as though she is just too happy to stay in one place for too long. She loves to dance over here and then flitters over there to sing. She'll leap across the stage in her imagination and curtsie when the music is done. Perhaps the one thing she loves more is to color pretty pictures to hang all around the garden. The more colorful the garden, the better, I say! She even adds a certain magic touch above and beyond the wonderful colors! She loves to take her creations and play with them like they're real dolls, and who's to say they aren't? With the imagination and love of a young gnomeling, I think anything is possible. Add one or two of her signature hugs and kisses and you'll feel like you can fly on air too.

Busy Bee-ing

This busy bee may look small to most gnomes in the community, but trust me on this - he has great potential and a wonderful future. He is a gentle soul who is kind to evergnome he meets and is always trying to help others. He's so easy-going that you may be surprised to know that he has had to over come some of his own challenges. perhaps it's because he has adjusted so well that he is able to inspire his friends and loved ones to make the most of what you've got. He's gnot going to lay back and let the day pass! Oh My Gnomes, no! As soon as the sun peeks its rays over the horizon, this little one is ready to go play! He is ready to practice practice practice so that he can be the best gnome EVER. And what does that mean? Oh, that means he's going to be a daddy gnome some day. Oh, won't that be grand... when he grows up... He already knows what he wants to gname his little gnomelines and knows what games he will teach them. He's going to be great for his True Love someday, but for gnow... he's practicing to be perfect. Between you and me, though, I think he's got it.

Little Lady Smiles

Meet Little Lady Smiles. It seems to me that she is a perfect little bundle of absolutely everything a gnome would want to be, and "smiles" is the theme. She is very young and innocent at heart, but has a gnomazing imagination. She gnever has a problem coming up with ideas for ways for her brother and sister to play with her, always bringing a smile to their faces. She is very kind to others and gnever seems to pass an opportunity to do something to make somegnome smile. When she doesn't have somegnome else around to make happy, she loves to be independent by doing the things that leave a silly grin on her own face - like playdates and sleep overs with friends. Ahh... even more giggles and smiles! And just when you think it isn't possible for her to bring any more joy into the garden, she focuses her attention on her animal friends. Whether it be a fish or a dog, small or large... She takes good care of them and always has plenty of hugs and kisses for the most fuzziest of loved ones before she goes to bed, or when she wakes, or leaves for school, or comes home... With Little Lady Smiles around, there is gnever a shortage of love and smiles in the garden.

A True Mountain Gnome

This soul may look small to you and me, but she has had more adventures than you can count! She loves to travel and has seen gardens in every corner of the world. She has seen ancient Gnomish cities and isolated frozen forests, but her favorite place is the harbor Down Under. You could even say that her ideal afternoon would be sitting in the harbor and enjoying the view with a cup of tea. With all her amazing adventures, you might be surprised to know where she calls home. She lives amongst the branches of a tall Conifer tree, where she is always surrounded by the scents that the fresh mountain air brings. For somegnome who tries to immerse herself in beautiful things, the Conifer tree makes the perfect home, where she can enjoy her time with her grandgnomes, doing crafts or hiking down to the stream. She has a knack for making treasured memories with her loved ones - like spending long weekends at the cabin eating Piragi and her GNOMAZING fresh baked scones! She is a true mountain gnome, this one. How she does it, I don't know, but she makes the world seem so small - cozy and filled with love.

Tiny Passenger

This tiny soul is small even by gnome standards, but that doesn't mean she has small adventures. Oh, just the opposite is true. She absolutely loves to hop into the car and see where it takes her. Sometimes the car will take her into town, in which case she loves to people watch from the window as she cruises by. Other times she'll find herself in the countryside and she rolls down the window and soaks in the fresh breeze and warm sunbeams. Sometimes she even drives with gno destination in mind, gnot having a clue where the road will lead, but knowing it will put a smile on her face regardless. Every ounce in her body tells her there are more adventures waiting for her and there is gno time to waist. So fasten your seat belt little lady, let's see what fun we have in store for us today!

A Dragon's Skin

This tiny soul has always been drawn to dragons, though I'm not sure why. I suppose if I had to analyze it, I would say it's because they're powerful and magestic but at the same time they're so beautiful. All too often we hear discouraging words like "she would be prettier if she lost a little weight" or "he would be better looking if he didn't have such a big gnose." It's sad, isn't it? Luckily, those in the gnome community know better than that. They know what's truly important in life - it's gnot about the size of your gnose, but rather knowing it's perfect for you. Being comfortable in your own skin, gnow THAT is beautiful. This little gnomette understands this even more than the average gnome because she looks at the dragons for inspiration. Think about it... with a dragon, they are everything meshed into one giant powerful creature of beauty. Yes they have scaley skin. Yes they have big tails. Some even have big teeth and all are simply big beings. These are all true qualities, yet you will gnever see a dragon focusing their energy on anything other than being inspiring.

Pastel

This shy little gnomeling might gneed just a tiny bit of encouragement. She often looks up at the sky, in awe of the bright rainbows above. She lives on the coast, right gnext to the sea, so her garden gets a lot of rainbows, each more stunning than the last. Someday she would like to be as bright as the other rainbows, but she fears she may gnever be that bold. Pssst! If you can keep a secret, she'll tell you her dream... Someday she would like to find a little family to love. Perhaps one who also likes to spend their time together in the vegetable garden, enjoying the magic that the fresh breeze seems to bring? Or maybe a little family who loves to sit down to share a cup of tea together and talk about their dreams? Someday she wants to find a family. She will help brighten their days, and maybe, just maybe she'll realize that because she can dream big, she is just as bright as the bold rainbows she so admires.

Wings for Destiny

Young or old, all gnomes gneed to believe in miracles. It's just in their gnature to do so. Everygnome is destined for greatness, whether that be through great acheivements or small ones. Perhaps a gnome will one day save the entire garden, or perhaps their Destiny is to just remind their loved ones around them that life is good. Either way, each gnome's journey through life is a magical one. Take this tiny soul, for example. It's uncertain what her Destiny will be, as it is with everygnome I suppose, but it is so apparent that she is so much bigger than her little body will allow her to be. Perhaps that's why she has such large wings? Her potential for greatness is so high and she's just waiting for the right moment to take off and soar. There are still rainbows to be explored and treasures yet to be discovered!

Such a Talent

Take a look at this gnome! Such a talent! She has a way with just about everything she touches. Don't ask me how, but she is able to take a lump of clay and turn it into a piece of art. Sometimes she makes something beautiful that is small enough that anygnome would be honored to wear it, but other times she makes creations that are large enough that they seem to come alive. Perhaps that's where her magic really lies? Whatever she touches brings such beauty into the garden. As if that wasn't enough, she even teaches the younger gnome folk how to let their own imaginations take shape. She's such a lovely lady, so easy to get along with, gno wonder all who know her are inspired.

Princess to Be

This little gnomeling is so excited! Her special day is coming up and she gets to go to a castle - a REAL one! You know what that means, don't you? A princess was sure to have once lived there! She whole heartedly believes in princesses and all the tales she has heard. After all, she knows that fairies, goblins, unicorns and all manner of magic and whimsy live in her garden, so princesses MUST be real too! There is gno doubt in her mind, as she knows that magic exists. She's practically an expert on how magic works, as she will never blow a candle out without making a wish and cannot pass a fountain without throwing in a coin! I have no idea what she wishes for (that is a secret, of course) but she is a very content little lady so I assume her wishes are coming true! She is so confident and knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up - a princess! She is incredibly shy but once she gets to know you, she is a little ball of energy that delights in making people smile. It sounds like she's off to a brilliant start!

Respecting Flowers from the Past

Most gnomes in the community focus their attention on the abundance of life in the garden, which comes as no surprise. After all, it's easy to see the beauty in life. This sweetly twisted gnomette, though, thinks it's important to remember our loved ones from the past too. She has always liked things a little edgy and is able to see beauty in the completion of the life cycle. She understands that the garden would have gno seeds to grow if gnot for the flowers that came before. Gnaturally, it's her job to tend to the plants and flowers that die in the garden. It's such an important job because all flowers die every year and if somegnome did not take care of them, they would not be able to return to bloom in the spring. It goes without saying that gnot all gnomes understand her fascination, but that does gnot matter much to her. She understands better than most that the true enchantment of the garden comes from the completion of life's cycle and that would gnot be possible without flowers from the past. She is honored to play such an important role in giving them the respect they deserve.

Gnoble Gnellie

Grab any historical book on Gnomish culture and you will learn that the capitol of Gnifferland is located on top of a small Boulder, in the garden known for its Red Colors. It is from here that most gnomes part ways to find their own little gardens to tend to. It is this very Boulder that little Gnoble Gnellie calls home, though every ounce in her body is calling her to travel beyond her little rock garden. There are so many places she has only heard about and she wants to explore as many garden gnooks and crannies as possible! World Atlas so not to get lost? Check. Plane tickets? Check. Passport with a standard photo that you think looks gnothing like you? Check. Her bags are packed, she's ready to go! She's all bubbly with excitement. Where shall her gnext stop be? So many choices... so many adventures!

Picture Perfect

My guess is that this little lady has always been a visual gnome and artsy. When her boys were just young gnomelings, she always tried to take the yummy closeups of them, all the while thinking "That is going to be the best shot ever 'cuz he is just the cutest!!!" Much to her disappointment, she would get the photo back only to discover that they were blurry. Sigh... those were the days before the gnome community adopted digital technology. Oh, don't be too surprised. Even gnomes embrace the changing of times! And look at her gnow! She finds inspiration from so many places, but especially her loved ones who have always had the talent to take magical photos. Her goal is to do that too! And she LOVES it all! There is gnothing like documenting little toes and gnoses and smiles. While she's gnot rich by any means, she really does like what she does. Personally I would call that wealthy beyond compare. She's one lucky lady.

Mommy Magic

There is gno doubt that there are few things as magical as a gnewborn gnomeling. There is just something about their tiny gnoses and caps that make even the strongest of hearts melt. Even their toes seem so small! I can think of one thing more magical than a gnew baby, and that's the love that he receives from Mommy. Mommy's love might even be the most powerful force in the entire garden! It must take some powerful magic to calm even the most upset baby by a simple warm touch. To embrace a gnomeling and love him with absolute abandon - gnothing can conquer a Mommy's love. What I find the most gnomazing is that a gnomeling's possibilities are endless. There is gno telling what he may do when he grows up and finds his own place in the garden. Will he have wings to fly? Will he explore beyond the garden walls? Will he find a way to bring different Gnomish communities together? Each young soul has so much potential - they're so big in a garden that expects them to be so small, and it's a Mommy that believes in that potential first. It's her love that brings potential into reality. Magic.

Our Little Monkey

Oh my gnomes! This little soul has one heck of a sense of humor! And for one who everygnome expects to be so small, her sense of self is so big! She loves to do the opposite of what she is told, always with a huge confident grin on her face (which always makes my heart sing to see). Even at such a young age, it's so apparent that this extremely bright gnomeling understands how life around her works. Such a happy little gnomeling, she always seems to be surrounded by smiles. I think it's because she has that special silliness that makes the eyes of everygnome around her light up, especially Baby Sister. I'm sure you'd agree that she is quite the loveable silly little monkey, full of love for life... and cheese... but not bananas!

The Little Things

Don't let this little sweet soul fool you, he's a sly one I tell you. He is always putting CDs into the VCR and sneaking tasty treats into his two most loyal buddies (who happen to be dogs, but that's beside the point). Quite the character, he absolutely loves music and pretending to be a rock star. Gneedless to say, he is always looking for the best way to have a little bit of fun and can turn even the gloomiest day into a fun adventure! For such a tiny gnome, he sure does put a big smile on your face and makes your heart sing! Perhaps it's his mischievous smile that lets him get away with anything? And if you thought he was hard to keep track of, just look at what is in store for you now! This sweet little Thing is now a big brother! Oh how exciting! This little prankster of a gnomeling has a new partner in crime. Though he is always so helpful and knows just how to make his baby smile (a silly dance is always a good start), you just know that he is already forming plans for sibling adventures in the future. He's sure to get both him and his new brother into bushels of trouble! Oh let the fun begin! Yes it's the little Things that make you smile... both of them.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
These were inspired by Dr. Seus' Thing 1 and Thing2.

Gnome of Protection

I hope you’re prepared to meet the most wonderful of all protective gnomes in the garden! Every gnome community has a special soul who, above all other, is protective. In this side of the garden, this brave fella is that gnome. Anygnome in gneed can turn to him and know that they will be safe. He has a knack for being able to calm those around him so that they are able to continue their daily frolicking. He may look tough, as he always puts on a façade of toughness, but I can assure you he is simply a big teddy bear at heart. Just look at the way he loves the animals around him... especially the shy hummingbirds... You know he must have a big heart to be so willing to protect them all. Gnow that I think about it, he also has a way with the plants too! I don't think there is a living thing that is gnot touched by his protection in one way or another. I suppose it should come as gno surprise that he's so protective of the great outdoors - after all, he's always been a woodsgnome type. Personally, I am so blessed to have him in my life.

Princess in Training

This tiny gnomette is quite shy and doesn't know what to say about herself. Luckily for her, I do! For as long as she can remember she has loved listening to fairy tales. Stories about a pretty princess in long gowns and her prince in his shining armor just seem to be so exciting and filled with magic. If there is one thing she wants to be when she grows up, it's a princess! Gno doubt about it. Princesses are kind and generous. Everygnome she meets loves her sweet and caring gnature and would agree that her politeness makes it easy for others to follow her lead. There is gnothing she enjoys more than helping to bring a smile to the faces of the gnomes around her. A princess loves to learn and is always trying to explore new corners of the garden. A true princess is brave and loves to go on adventures, but above all else a princess wants to live happily ever after with the one she loves. Oh how grand it must be to be a princess! So everyday this tiny gnomette strives to be more princess-like, gnot knowing that she already is one. Shy or gnot, she has all the best qualities, as a true princess would.

Little Gnester

If you're feeling a little bit down
This little gnome is always around.
He helps you with the hand you were dealt,
Taking away the doubt you have felt.
He will make you laugh; he will make you smile
... He will carry your sadness away for a while.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
The majority of the poem was written by Lauren Higgins, submitted with a doodle.

Mommy Magic

There is gno doubt that there are few things as magical as a gnewborn gnomeling. There is just something about their tiny gnoses and caps that make even the strongest of hearts melt. Even their toes seem so small! I can think of one thing more magical than a gnew baby, and that's the love that he receives from Mommy. Mommy's love might even be the most powerful force in the entire garden! It must take some powerful magic to calm even the most upset baby by a simple warm touch. To embrace a gnomeling and love him with absolute abandon - gnothing can conquer a Mommy's love. What I find the most gnomazing is that a gnomeling's possibilities are endless. There is gno telling what he may do when he grows up and finds his own place in the garden. Will he have wings to fly? Will he explore beyond the garden walls? Will he find a way to bring different Gnomish communities together? Each young soul has so much potential - they're so big in a garden that expects them to be so small, and it's a Mommy that believes in that potential first. It's her love that brings potential into reality. Magic.

The Raven

The Raven walks a silent path and stands alone against nature’s wrath. He sneaks “Deep into that darkness peering… wondering… fearing…Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” The deep dark black of the Raven’s wings cast a purple hued shadow over all things. For the Raven is an intellectual being who walks among us and remembers while seeing. All that there is and that will be, the raven has seen beyond the sea. With wings of night and tales of legend this character will change your life as is destined. A magicians familiar, a lost souls guide, there is no end to the tale from a Raven’s side.

PERSONAL GNOTE:
Written by Amber P.

Gnomish Blessings

This compassionate, giving and loving soul always remembers the things that matter the most. The wee lass knows that life is good. She can feel it deep inside her tiny body. She looks around her and can't help but smile at what she sees. Whether it be the shamrocks from the clover fields or even the acorns from the oak trees - it all just makes her warm and fuzzy inside. And she loves to feel fuzzy! So she tries to surround herself with such beauty no matter where she goes. And if she happens to pass somegnome along her travels, she's sure to cheerfully greet them with a Gnomish Blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!

Wee Wizard

This lovable little fella can't help but find a cozy place in your heart. He has been trying so hard to learn the ways of wizardry, but just can't seem to get it quite right. It seems that gno matter what spell he tries, it gnever gives him the results he was hoping for. One day when he was trying to coax a rose bud to open into a blossom, he was pleased to see that it started to grow right away, but then it didn't stop! Oh my gnomes! That was the largest rose the garden has ever known - so large, in fact, that the gnomelings were able to slide down the petals all season long, giggling all the way. Another time he was trying to magic a flower for his love when suddenly the garden heard a big bang, and he found his love with a big smile on her face as she danced in a shower of daisies falling from the sky. As you can imagine, gnognome is bothered by his mistakes. He may gnot get his spells right, but because he gnever gives up, at least he gets them great!

My Hero

This tall fella (by gnome standards) is head over heals for his Love, and why wouldn't he be? He has fallen for one of the most generous souls I know. In fact, he has fallen so hard, you would have thought he had tripped over a bottle of love potion or something. He knows he has found something good and tries to think of tiny ways in which he can remind her of his love every day. It almost seems as though he thinks of her happiness and safety with every thing he does, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if he did just that. Gnot long ago he was on the floating down the gnearby stream with his love when a few large stones knocked her off their leaf. It didn't take her long to rush to shore, but oh my gnomes did it scare him! He did gnot hesitate to grab his Love's face and start kissing it all over, for he had thought he lost her. Gnever again. Though he knows that she tries to keep him laughing, and always tries to make him glad to be home, he spoils her to gno end. She knows it too, for he is her Hero, and the love of her life. She knows this could all be gone when the sun rises, so she doesn't take advantage of him... but she does of life... it's good!