Headed to Strasburg, IL Next Saturday

Strasburg, IL has been in the news lately due to their decision in 2007 to make Strasburg the “gnome capital of the world,” The small town (human population 603) was floundering and needed to revitalize their community and bring folks together. They also worked on more serious aspects (taxes, new businesses, etc.) but the Gnomes are what interest me the most, of course.

This April they held a Gnome Census which led to articles in local newspapers and even the Chicago Tribune. Come to find out the gnome population of Strasburg rivals that of the humans (405 so far...more coming out of the woodwork.)

A coworker of mine in the library showed me the article in the Trib, because he knew of my obsession with Gnomes (anyone I work with can easily see it due to my large collection of Gnomes in my office.) We investigated and found out about Strasburg's town-wide rummage sale on June 5. So me and 2 of my coworkers are planning on going. They like yard sales, I don't. But I love Gnomes. So I'm in. I hope to be able to buy one of their pottery pieces that have a Gnome imprinted in them somewhere. And maybe some Gnomes or other Gnome merchandise. Or even if I get some photos, I'll be happy.

Here's Strasburg's website:
http://www.strasburgil.com/

I read they are considering having some type of Gnome festival in the fall. That would be very cool. Here is the latest newsletter:
http://www.strasburgil.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gnome-news-may-2010.pdf

I will let you all know how it goes after next Saturday...hopefully it won't rain!

If I ever make it to Australia...

If I ever travel to Australia, it will need to be in January, as that's when the Australian Gnome Convention is held every year. This past January was the 6th annual convention. Here is the website of the Convention. Lots of great photos of Gnomes from past Conventions. The Australians know how to rock the Gnomes!!!

http://www.australiangnomeconvention.com.au/index.htm

If I ever go to England...

If I ever make it to England, I definitely want to visit The Gnome Reserve & Wild Flower Garden in North Devon (don't even know where that is...)

Here's their website: http://www.gnomereserve.co.uk/

" The 4 acre Reserve comprises woodland, stream, 30 yard pond, meadow and garden - home to 1000+ GNOMES  and pixies, and about 250 labelled species of wild flowers, herbs, grasses and ferns."

Sounds AWE-some!

And..."Gnome hats are loaned free of charge,,," What more could I ask for? Look...this will be Richard and me in a few years! HaHaHa!!!

Working on my Gnome Embroidery piece

A couple evenings ago I received one of my eBay purchases...an embroidery kit of Gnome in the Garden. This is what it's going to look like:

I think the last embroidery project I worked on was 4 years ago when Daniel was born. I made an embroidered birth record for both of the boys after they were born. But then I started focusing more on vide games in the evenings, and I don't have time for both.

But when I found this kit on eBay, I had to have it. And now I'm very excited to be doing another project. I really do enjoy it. I'm even having to learn a couple new stitches for this project. I've never done the Loop stitch or Turkeywork stitch before. The rest of the stitches I'm familiar with (Back, Straight, Outline, Split, Solid/Satin, and Lazy Daisy.) So this is fun! And when I'm done I'll have an awesome Gnome wall hanging! Win-win!

Then I also bought the embroidery floss and cross-stitch fabric for one of the Gnome Cross Stitch patterns I have. That will be the next thing I do. This Gnome I'm working on now will take a few weeks though.

More eBay purchases arrived!

Yesterday I received 2 more of my recent eBay purchases, then one more today.

Yesterday I got the Gnome holding the salt and pepper shakers. And also the Lady Cowboys Gnome.

I must agree with my friend, Clyde, that the Lady Gnome looks older than she should. I think I figured out why though...most Gnomes do not have glasses. She is the only one I can think of that I've ever seen with them. Therefore, she looks more like Mrs. Claus than a female Gnome. But she's still cool. I think I will call her Clyde the Gnome's mom, rather than his wife.

The salt and pepper shaker set is very cute! Love having it in my kitchen.

Now today what I got was an embroidery kit that was from the 70s but no one ever did it. So it's the fabric, thread, frame, etc. I just need to do that embroidery work, which I really enjoy. So I'm excited to get started!! It's a Gnome in a Garden. Can't wait to post a completed photo.

I also have patterns for 4 Gnome counted cross-stitch pieces. But I'm not as big of fan of counted cross-stitch as other embroidery work. It's harder on my eyes. So small. But I really want to get one of those done this summer too.

I did a lot of embroidery work in 4-H while growing up, so I'm a pro. ;o) But it's been a while.

Gnome Undies

That's right...you read correctly! Gnome undies!! My friend (and follower) Courtney sent me a link to Gnome undies that JCPenney is selling. I just might have to buy a pair, even though NO ONE would want to see me in them. I certainly would not look like the model. ;o) But I would still know that I was wearing them, and it would make me smile.

Here's a photo of them...



Thanks again for letting me know, Courtney. I love having my gnome helpers out there on the lookout for me. Every once in a while I'll get a message from someone letting me know they saw something Gnome-like somewhere. It's the coolest thing ever.

And the eBay purchases start trickling in...

Last night when I got home from work, the first of my latest eBay Gnome purchases was in the mailbox. It's the Gnome with Lantern charm/zipper pull. At first I thought I'd use it as a zipper pull on my purse, but since it was a little smaller than I thought I felt it would make a great necklace pendant. So I worked my magic with pliers and put it on a silver chain I had. I'll use it as a necklace for now. I'm wearing it today!

I also had a slip telling me I have 2 packages at the Post Office. I'm pretty sure they are the Salt and Pepper Shaker Gnome and the Lady Cowboys Gnome! I won't have time to get them today, as I have to rush right home after work to get to an appointment. But hopefully I can pick them up tomorrow after work.

A special shoutout to my first follower, Courtney!!! Thanks so much, Courtney!! Great to have you here.

Gnomes on TV

It was a pleasant surprise this evening when we were watching the latest episode of Til Death...Garden Gnomes showed up! Eddie went over to his friend Whitey's house, who is a hoarder. So he had all sorts of crap in his house...and in one corner there was a big pile of Garden Gnomes! And they were huge ones! There were at least 8 of them, and most of them were really big...like over 2 feet tall. I rewound the DVR and watched it a couple different times to see all the gnomes in great detail. It was fun! ;o)

I need to stay away from eBay

I bought another gnome item on eBay. I am only bidding on one more item...once that one is done, I need to stop for a while. But it's been fun. I can't wait until the stuff starts coming in the mail.

Anyway, this time I won a gnome lamp...the lamp looks almost like night-light size.

Another eBay Gnome

I bought something else on eBay. I was just thinking the other night how I needed a salt shaker. I don't have one, because I don't usually salt anything. But now and then I do, and I just take a pinch of salt out of the salt box and sprinkle it on my food. Well, that's weird. There are plenty of salt shakers out there. So I thought I'd get a cool one...and I found a very cute Gnome one. Here it is.

Recent eBay purchases

Well, I got on eBay last night and went a little crazy. I was mainly looking for a particular Gnome book, but I landed on some other stuff, and got a little out of hand. Not too much money though. And the stuff is small, so won't take up much space.

I got a book of Gnome Crafts, zipper pull/charm, button/charm, and switchplate.

Female Dallas Cowboys Garden Gnome

I have a wonderful Dallas Cowboys Garden Gnome (male variety) that my awesome friend Clyde sent me. And I was thrilled today to find that they now make FEMALE team gnomes!!! But everywhere I look the female Cowboys ones are sold out. Well, of course...it's the most awesome-est thing ever!! I'll keep on the lookout and get one as soon as they are available. Here's what she looks like...

World Wide Gnome Association

I became a member of the World Wide Gnome Association 2 years ago. It only cost $10, and that was a one-time fee. There are no yearly dues. We are led by Barb, also known as QueenGnome. I am known as Willow (the 310th member of the Association.) I was able to buy one year and two year patches/crests for only $5. And we are able to enter our name in a monthly drawing to win a small item (like a gnome art postcard or something similiar.) QueenGnome also sends us an e-mail newsletter every month with a link to her QueenGnome Diary.

It's a fun thing, and her website has lots of lovely Gnome information.

Here's the link to the QueenGnome's Homepage: http://www3.telus.net/public/lylew/

And here is the original site:
http://www.foundus.com/gnomes/

Giant Garden Gnome at Home in Iowa

I would like to take a road trip to Iowa to see this giant this summer, but it might not happen. It's a 6 hour drive from here. :(

http://www.kcci.com/entertainment/23101808/detail.html

AMES, Iowa --
Iowa State's Reiman Gardens is now home to what they say is one of the largest garden gnomes in the U.S.

Crews used a crane Friday morning to place the gnome in the garden and set his massive hat in place. The gnome is made from concrete and stands a whopping 15 feet tall and weighs in at more than 3,500 pounds.

A quick Google check found another large gnome named Chomsky in upstate New York on the Kelder's Farm. Chomsky is only 13 feet, 6 inches tall and stand in front of miniature golf course. Chomsky was believed to be the world's largest gnome.

Chomsky was officially inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2007.

Reiman staff thought they'd have a record setting gnome, and it was when it was commissioned.

"We got about halfway thought this project and come to find out somebody in Poland had buildt one 2 feet taller than this one," said Andy Kautza, gnome sculpture.

Kautza said it was too late in the process to alter the giant steel cage supporting the gnome's massive features. It could have been a setback to the staff's record-setting plans without a little creative marketing.

"Poland has a 18 foot one, but it's made of fiberglass. So we have the world's tallest concrete gnome," said Teresa McLaughlin, of Reiman Gardens.

McLaughlin said the giant gnome is already getting a lot of attention, which is not surprising to Kautza who is used to stopping traffic when delivering his creations.

"People hanging out the window with their cell phone and their cameras and somebody will speed up and they'll take one from the front and then they'll slow down and they'll take another," said Kautza.

"There is some fun just putting your arms around him and getting your picture taken," said McLaughlin.

The gnome will be officially unveiled on April 22.

The gardens are located at 1407 University Blvd. near Jack Trice Stadium.

May 20th Episode of Bones

I have never watched an episode of Fox's Bones, but I am familiar with it. And in the TV Guide I saw that on May 20th their episode will center around a GARDEN GNOME!! It's going to somehow play into the murder...I must watch!! Garden Gnomes are popping up everywhere! People are starting to realize how awesome they are!!

Power to the Garden Gnomes!!!