- BIRTHDAY WISHES...
- Jacob D (Chizl) JDTwoEagles@webtv.net September 3
- Russell (Gnone) Anderson@NS.AMAESD.K12.MI.US September 13
- Donny (OneWhoFlies) onewhoflies@foundus.com September 14
- Jimmy (JIM GNOME) FLIC-JIM.GNOME@xtra.co.nz September 17
- JD (Tomte) judsonclark@hotmail.com September 20
- Patty (GnomeClass2) tibuckri@cs.com September 20
- Maylee (Lady Maylee) nita@cpros.com September 26
- Juanita (Dian Cecht*DeeAnnSet) nita@cpros.com September 28
- Belated Birthday Wishes to three of our new members, MeMe, Regis and Fern.
SHOPPING FOR GNOMES...
The gnome in the picture here is a one of a set of six whimsical Christmas Gnomes, each print is 4x4 inches. You can order from the award winning artist, Andrea Marie Ellwood at www.successstreet.com/andrea/gnomes.htm or email her at mailto:artxpres@sccoast.net Cost is $30 plus $7.50 shipping and handling.
Another site offering gnome items www.houseoftyrol.com - thanks to gnome member "Gnome Nut" for this link!
World Wide Gnome Association Convention 2000!
Check your telephone books for a map of time zones. The Convention will commence at 7:00 p.m., Central Time and run for 3 hours on Saturday, October 7th. You can join in at any time. I will be in the chat room for the duration. I would like to discuss our new improved site (thanks to the many woman-hours put in by ~~Marafae) and your newsletter. I will also be available to answer folklore questions.
SEPTEMBER'S CRAFT
Want to paint gnomes onto something quickly...maybe even a dozen or so? You can purchase "compressed" stencil-making sponges. Trace an outline of a gnome onto your sponge and then cut it out. These are thinly compressed cellulose sponges that can be easily cut into any shape. They expand when wet! After wetting with water dip it into paint, or apply paint to the sponge with a brush, or use with an ink pad. Great for decorating ceramics, plaster, wood, party favors, fashions, walls, stationery and more. They can be attached to a paint roller to make uniform repeat patterns, too. Great for children. Re-Usable and easy to clean. The ones I use are made by National Artcraft Co., Twinsburg, Ohio 44087. I purchased them at my local ceramic shop. They are also available at some art supply, hardware and craft stores. They must be compressed so that when you cut out your pattern it does not distort. I am creating a series of shadow gnome paintings using this method.
Do you know the legend of the Shadow Gnomes? For those who do not here it is...
From The Secret Book of the Gnomes, Volume 5
Many, many years ago, before wood gnomes even existed, there were two types of gnome living in the great forests. They were the sparkly, glass gnomes and the mischievous, grey shadow gnomes. At night you could hear them muttering and grumbling as they squabbled with one another. The transparent gnomes tried to be patient, but the shadow gnomes simply teased them and tickled their toes.The forest just wasn't big enough for both of them and something had to be done.
There was one main problem...Although the glass gnomes sparkled under the moonlight, their shadow cousins were virtually invisible in the dark forest. The glass gnomes realised that to win the great squabble, they would have to camouflage their shiny bodies. They made up a thick, messy mixture of mud which they rubbed all over themselves. This dried as hard as concrete and made them very difficult to spot as they raced through the undergrowth.
So began the great battle of the gnome armies. Unlike human wars, the battle had one important rule. The gnomes were forbidden to wound or kill their enemies. It lasted for a hundred nights. On the 99th night, each side had captured exactly the same amount of prisoners. The whole thing was becoming rather ridiculous and all the gnomes were getting very hot and bothered.
The glass gnomes called a truce while they held a meeting of all the glass gnome elders. These wise old men worked out a very clever plan to finish the fighting. All the glass gnomes had to do was keep the shadow gnomes busy until dawn. The sun would take care of the rest.
The next night, the glass gnomes told the shadow
gnomes very silly jokes and left them laughing so hard they couldn't walk home. Morning
came and the shadows were still rolling on their backs giggling. The sun was so cross to
find them still up, it sent down hot rays of sun to glue their bodies to the ground.
From that day on, the naughty shadow gnomes have been ruled by all other gnomes. For when the moon shines, the shadow gnomes must quietly creep behind every gnome, wherever they may roam. But at night, when the moon hides behind the clouds and no shadows are needed, the shadow gnomes are free to play in the forest.
Barbara aka QueenGnome