Pinecone Gnomes::

 

 

Our school has a winter event every year.  Celebrating the coming of King Winter and the holidays.  There are crafts for the children such as felted soap making, building fairy houses, and making candles.  The fourth grade class is in charge of pulling together the children's store.  No parents are allowed!  The children love this.  They are guided through by angels, moms and dads in disguise, to help shop for their family members.  All the items in the shop are handmade.  Handmade by those same moms and dads in disguise.  It really is a beautiful thing.  The children feel so grown up.  

Maybe a pine cone gnome wouldn't be your first choice of a gift for the holidays but when your child hands you that wrapped gift bag, that they picked out, well let's just say your hearts melts a little more.  

So, we moms and dads are in a flurry to create items in this next month for the big event in early December.  I thought it would be fun to bring to you some of the group projects we are working on as well as the items that I myself am creating.  Plus, I thought I would show you how to create your own so you too can have some pine cone gnomes sitting in your home this winter.  

A "wee gnomie tutorial" if you will....

 

First things first...Find pine cones that sit flat.  Or don't and have some tilted gnomes like we did.  The off kilter ones actually became some of my favorites because they each end up wtih their own personality.  

Then, find either hazelnuts or acorns for the heads.   Attach with a glue gun.  You may need to clip off the top of the pine cone to create a flat space. 

 

Then, the beard.  Use fleece or roving for the beards.  I had some un-carded fleece from two sheep in Washington that turned out to be loads of fun to use.  The curls and the "organic-ness" of it created quite unique beards.  Again, attach with a glue gun.  Watch your fingers here.  Glue guns are hot.  I seem to always need to remind myself of this a few times before I stop burning myself.  

 

On the the hats.  I recommend wool felt if you can find it.  There are lots of sources on-line as well as some local fabric stores that carry it.  Cut out the right size for your gnome.  Fold in half and then sew together.  

Then, use the glue gun again, last time I promise, to attach it to the hazelnut or acorn.  I found that a dot of glue inside the front of the hat and one inside the back was all it needed.  Then you don't get the smashed down glue look.  

Loving that each one ends up with its own distinct personality.  Some wear their hats with a more jaunty style.  While others really have long, fluffy beards.  Gnomes pride themselves on their beards I've been told by my children.  

 

When you're done you'll have a sweet little gnome for your nature table at home.  Or make a few and you'll have a village.  

Have a great weekend and loads of fun creating.  See you on Monday. 

***By the way, Maya*made just put me on her "Enjoy" category.  If you haven't seen her fabulous blog please do check it out.  She also has an Etsy shop full of treasure.  Thanks Maya!***

Comments

[Silvia]

Just posted my gnome hat tutorial...I LOVE gnomes!!! Adorable these ones you made. Your kids are sooo lucky, you know that!

[Faith]

What a great tutorial, so fun for kids, thanks for posting it! I love gnome crafts and I see that this could be made into a whole day activity...going to the park searching for pine cones and acorns, coming home making the gnomes! Exciting. Congrats on being mentioned over at Maya's enjoy column, she listed my art there last summer!

[Jennifer]

What cuties. They are adorable, will have to search for some pinecones. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

[mayaluna]

What's not to enjoy? You're absolutely amazing, and I'd love the world to know it! I agree with Silvia about your lucky children! I spent Friday gathering pine cones with my daughter.Sticky business. Ours are quite long and skinny. I like your stout little gnomes, and am wondering how I may reconfigure my cones.hmmm.

[Kellen]

Maya, Maybe your gnomes need thick warm coats for those cold eastern winters. That would certainly add some girth to the lot of them. Also, you have a friend who has lots of stout pinecones hmmm, Maybe a west coast east coast swap is in order.