Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A Family of Twig Gnomes!!!!

I LOVE simple crafts that have a great end result!  Here's a quick and simple way to make some twig gnomes of your own.  The inspiration comes from "The Gnome Craft Book" by Thomas and Petra Berger.


We started by going out and cutting some fallen branches from our yard.  We found a thick branch and then a thinner one.  Cut them into various lengths, (on an angle), and then sanded them, so that they'd have a little space for a  "face" in front.


I used a small electric sander, which was super fast!


Then, paint some little faces on them...(they're starting to come to life now!!)


Next cut out their hats out of felt...this is how we did ours, you'll have to play around with the width, (depends on the width of your twigs)...basically you want something you can just glue up the back, (and the little arch in the front is so there is room for your gnomes face to be seen!).


So...glue the roving to the front of your twig...to make a beard and a bit of hair...then wrap the hat around and glue up the back...I used a hot glue gun for this part.


And there you have it...a little family of gnomes!
My kids were so excited to find these little enchanting toys this morning, they were immediately scooped up and off on an adventure! 

Happy gnome making!
xox maureen

33 comments:

  1. Those little guys are just adorable!! Thanks for sharing..think I know what we're doing this rainy afternoon ;)

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  2. Such a wonderful idea!!I am so happy I discovered your site!!Thanks for your comment.
    Enjoy nature

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  3. this is waaay too cooolll!!!! Squeal.

    I've been collecting sticks. Have to get out the saw now...
    thanks for sharing

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  4. Such an earthy bunch of fellas! LOVE them. I wonder how they would turn out with sticks of driftwood...

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  5. They'd probably look fine with any type of stick...so long as the driftwood is big enough...I know you'll want to make some dear Wabi Sabi friend!!
    xo maureen

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  6. Sweet!
    I just received my window star....it looks lovely in middle girls room. I will take a picture and post it.
    Have a great day.

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  7. Wow, these are the cutest!!! I am visiting after seeing your dragonflies on 733, and now I can't stop reading all your ideas. You guys take the most beautiful pictures and I LOVE love love your projects.

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  8. How adorable. They are so earthy. My lot would hide them around the garden for the others to find. Just the sort of thing a child loves discovering.

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  9. very cute and such a simple idea!! i can see we may be making Gnomes over the summer hols!!!

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  10. they are so cute! i need to get some sandpaper and a little hand saw and then i'll be set! xo m.

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  11. So cute! putting it on never-ending "to do" list!!

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  12. Great inspiration to do something with all the sticks my children keep collecting at our front door.

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  13. thank you i love them you have the best craft ideas!xx

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  14. Hi! I just found your blog and it's so adorable! I also enjoying teaching and crafting with my daughters. Cute ideas, loved these little guys. Have a great day!
    Blessings, Jill

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  15. this is so sweet and simple. Perfect for my tree house I am trying to start for my little guy for the first handmade holiday. Not too hard but so creative and just the right size. Thanks!

    blessings,
    Kat

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  16. Oh! so cute! But one quick question... If it's a family of gnomes, which one is mama gnome? (and does she have a beard, too?!?)

    I will have to hunt down the Gnome Craft Book! Wonderful...

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  17. I just love these! Wonderful:)

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  18. These little gnomes are just so cute. They have made it on to my never ending to do list. Thanks for sharing.

    Blessings, Elizabeth

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  19. M Bloom...Ruby insists that the one with the yellowish hair is a lady gnome!!!! haha!!!
    xo maureen

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  20. Saw your dragonflies on Seven Thirty Tree -- brilliant! I just had to come by to see what other magic you had in store, and I'm not disappointed. I love your creative ideas and am happy to have found a new crafty blog to follow! Cheers! Jenn

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  21. In my opinion, there can never be too many gnomes. These are adorable and a very kiddo friendly project. I'm going to have to give these a go. Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  22. Opps... almost forgot... I'll be linking on Facebook!

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  23. Oh my cute!! I love it. Can't wait to make my own twig gnomes. Thanks to Kimara for leading me to your blog!

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  24. Gorgeous - my girl would love this craft so thank you very much. We will add branch hunting and gnome making to our list this weekend!

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  25. thanks for your inspiring ideas... check out my blog, you and your kids might enjoy visiting it together. it's called "adventures in garden village" and it's right up your alley!

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  26. How precious, just the sort of thing my children love, must make these one of these days:)
    Warmly,
    Christina

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  27. What a sweet little draft! My kids will love trying this one out! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Rachel

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  28. Oh Maureen, they are so adorable! I have so much wood I can use to make some of these precious little gnomes. Wonderful idea

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  29. They are so cute! I have added a link to www.lovelifelovecraft.co.uk

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  30. Santa had so much fun making 20 gnomes for his visit to the family. All sizes and colors of beards and hats. :)

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