New Members...

G74 Petunia from San Antonio, Texas

G75 Grendle from San Antonio, Texas

G76 Ahio from Nepean, Ontario

G77 Talmai from Nepean, Ontario

G78 Chili from Milford, Massachusetts

G79 Pansy from Laporte, Indianna

G80 Giggle from Olalla, Washington

G81 Razz from Columbia, Missouri

Another milestone for the Gnomes...80+ members strong!

November Birthdays...

G2 Colin, November 3

G29 Katya, November 15

G55 Heinzel, November22

G8 Molliefae, November 22

G9  Gnomenut, November 28

This is picture number 3 in the series by Andrea Marie Elwood. Andrea has advised me that she plans to release a second set of gnome pictures sometime in the future. I have asked her to send me this first set and let me know when her second set is available. Please support this artist by either purchasing a set of these wonderful prints (cost $30 for the set of 6) or by sending her an email praising her work. You can reach Andrea at artxpres@sccoast.net

Here is some information on Andrea from emails ...

"Barbara, thank you for appreciation of my work! ... I also appreciate your promotion  with your newsletters and hope those that see my little gnomes get a kick out their happy little faces. Most of my work is very realistic in my paintings, but I've drawn cartoons for years off and on, it's a great outlet to let the mind wander and be less serious. The gnomes are so fun to design thinking of the things they would do. My first inspiration was from the collectible Tom Clark gnomes when my mother started to collect them. Are you familiar with his sculptures?  I look forward to painting the next set when work slows down a bit. I just finished a mural that took 4 weeks to complete and have another house to start before the week is over- I'll be there for a while. After that another house ( actually a mansion) to paint a sky in the ceiling of a master bathroom and a mural in one of the other bathrooms.... I get to do allot of fun things for other people but I definitely like doing work at home the most. I have so much to catch up on ( like book work) and it has been difficult to set the time aside to handle personal business.  Join the crowd right!!?   I just thought of something..... the gnomes are all printed on one sheet of paper 11x17, it would probably be less to send if I separate the six images  into individual prints. Each print image is 4x4 inches and would have a white border of 3/4 of an inch surrounding the image for framing purposes....let me know how you want these sent and then I'll go to the post office to find out the postage. Thanks so much, Sincerely,  Andrea"

And..."I have sculpted gnomes in the past and have a set waiting for reproduction some day.  A gnome riding a snail, gnome riding a fish, and a gnome riding a rabbit. And two other gnomes standing - one feeding birds and the other feeding a squirrel.  Some day when I'm not busy I'll get around to photographing them....they have glass eyes and none are over 51/2 inches tall.  I have other characters I've designed and created...they either have crystal balls or pearls, I also hope to have these reproduced and marketed...Sincerely, Andrea"

An Introduction into "Nanology"... from, The Complete Book of the Gnome by Martin Cornwall [ISBN No. 0749507098] published by AA Publishing in 1997.

What is Nanology? The term is derived from the Greek word NANOS - DWARF. I know what you are all thinking, "Dwarfs and gnomes are different." I agree, but sometimes you have to admit it is hard to tell them apart. Many gnomes are shy and retiring creatures, preferring to hide in the depths of our gardens. And many garden gnomes are protrayed as throwbacks to the time when dwarfs toiled underground in mines, carrying picks and shovels, hammers and axes, their faces rough and ruddy through their labors. Because of this, it does become difficult to tell them apart.

So, it appears that the humble garden gnome comes of an ancient stock. The little red-capped gnomes which wheel their barrows or sit with fishing rods by garden ponds are descended from the dwarfs of Northern European mythology and folklore. They are part of the army of 'the little people' or fairy folk, whose existence was firmly believed in virtually everywhere in the world, in centuries gone by.

November Craft...Soft Dolls

Soft dolls are easy to create utilizing a simple basic pattern. Start with a good quality plain muslin fabric. This fabric is easy to sew and accepts paint very well. You can use regular acrylic craft paint, like Americana or DecoArt. These are noted as non-toxic paints. Once you have a pattern transfer it onto your fabric with tracing paper or carbon paper. This doll pattern was marketed some time ago by Unieboek. Use your imagination and you can turn this basic pattern into a Christmas doll with the addition of ribbon, glitter or you could even paint something in her hand that reminds you of Christmas in your home...holly, a star or a string of Christmas lights. Once painted sew it with right sides together and remember to leave an opening to stuff it! Then turn it right side out, stuff it and hand sew it closed. If you want your doll to have a flat base to stand upright simply cut out an oval and sew it to the bottom prior to stuffing. If you are interested in making a soft doll send me an email and I will send you an electronic pattern. Barbara aka QueenGnome@foundus.com

 

A Book Review by Gnome Member....Alva Anderson, aka GnomeNut

I discovered 2 books that every Gnome collector will enjoy. (They’re hard-cover, 8 ½ x 11.)

The illustrations are positively magical. I ordered them from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Both are by Erik Forsman (Scandinavian illustrator), published by Derrydale Books, and distributed by Crown Publishers, Inc. (1986/New York).

As Christmas time approaches, it’s especially important to highlight Gnomes and their uniqueness that adds an extra measure of magic for all of us who hold them dear. Their precious faces brighten our homes throughout the year … at Christmas, however, Gnomes bring an added glow of warmth, comfort and security so needed in our troubled world. (If you think you hear voices on Christmas Eve, it’s probably the Gnomes in celebration around a tree.)

"At Home With The Christmas Gnomes"

(ISBN 0-517-62732-9)

This story takes place on Gnome Hill. It’s busy because Christmas is coming. Everything must be sparkling clean. Animals are groomed and sleds made ready. Lots of extra food is prepared. Gnomes set aside extra flour throughout the year. (They’re so careful not to waste flour and sugar.) Gnomes always share their baked goods with Gnomes who are too old to do much baking.

Gnomes have a fun race on Christmas Eve, to see who can get to their Christmas Depot first. The Christmas Depot is a secret place unknown to humans (always near a cave for shelter). Gnomes prepare carefully, so as to have enough Christmas cakes and porridge for animals (who prefer the Gnome porridge recipe to that of humans). After all, it’s Christmas for animals, too! Horses, deer, goats, even oxen, pull the Gnomes’ sleighs with presents. While porridge is cooking, the Gnomes gather around a Christmas tree to sing. (The tree is generally decorated only with white candles). The Gnomes then enjoy their warm porridge, share food with the animals, and depart to deliver presents.

* * *

"Footnote" -- In Sweden, Gnomes deliver Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve and surprises during the year. A Gnome is called a "Tomte" (pron. "tomb tuh," as in "tomb"). Being Swedish, I grew up with the legend of Gnomes firmly ingrained! We never sat down to a Christmas Eve smorgasbord without first feeding the birds in a special feeder. In Sweden, a thick bundle of hay is tightly wrapped around the top of a tall pole. The pole is inserted deep in the ground, so seeds can be placed in the bundle of hay all winter long.

Check your December Newsletter for the review of the second book by GnomeNut!

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

1.  If you do not want to receive these monthly newsletters please let me know and I will remove your name.

2. Jani has placed previous newsletters on the member site for new members.

QueenGnome