gnome home

My long time readers will probably remember this, however any new readers may not have seen  -----> THIS BLOG POST <----- about gnomes. Or as I affectionately call them both individually or in plural..... gnomedge. Quick recap: I always thought gnomedge were the freaky and sad hobby and/or downward spiral of older people who were also attracted to hideous plastic yard ornaments. Over the years I have softened my opinions on gnomedge in general, as they have appeared in a few movies/tv shows/commercials I actually liked. Plus it seems they have also evolved into more jolly looking creatures rather than ones you fear have slipped out from under their mushrooms to hide under your bed at night. (good grief - just click on the highlighted post above) 

ANYWAY. I have casually been on the lookout for a large, colorful, jolly-looking gnome, being that I tend to like large, colorful, jolly-looking things. I'm extremely picky however, about anything I bring into my home that has a FACE. So I hadn't had much luck. Then just a few weeks ago, the day my cousin Shelly & I went to the nursery to pick out flowers for my porch (aka. the day I stood there brain dead and drooling while Shell made decisions for me)........ there he was! GNOMEDGE!!! Large. Jolly-looking. Ridiculously expensive. Not colorful. But overflowing with gnomedge potential. Dare I say....... a project! After just a few minutes of debate, Shell & I took our gnome home. I think we actually giggled much of the way :)


So here begins our gnome transformation from "Before" to "After" - and it's been an amazing journey!   Because I am freaking A.MAZ.ING.

 Found him! Near-perfect gnome looking dull and drab, sad and sorry... 

but with gnomedge potential off the charts of the Gnome Meter! 

 * my fave pics of Shell & I *

Above is my mid-way peek... starting first coats of color... pant color not decided on... his skin is still a nauseating yellow... no definition in his beard. His facial features and beard took me a long time - I think I must have done his beard at least 4 times, maybe more, before I got it right. My family thinks I've officially lost my mind. Whatevskies. 

I am sooooo happy about how he turned out! Look, look, LOOK!!!

 Is he the cutest gnome EVER or WHAT?!?! 

He almost has a "Seven Dwarfs" look about him, which I just love.

 I think it's cute how he holds his hands behind his back

 I like his face a lot. It took me FOR.EV.ER. I was bound and determined to make his face as cheerful as possible. Even his tongue needed to be changed, and the lines around his eyes defined. Changing his pasty yellowish skin to a flesh tone made a huge difference, as did adding some definition to his facial hair and beard. That was a challenge, but even more challenging was giving him his rosy cheeks and nose. First he looked like a clown (SCARY), then he looked like he had a bad case rosacea, then his teenage years came back to bite him in the butt with pock marks....... aargh! I really LOVE the final results :) John says I made him look like he's been drinking too much, but to me he just looks jolly and cheerful. So maybe he DID toss back a few, hehe :)

 Mehhhhh!!! Stranger danger! Help! 

More gnomage fun to come this week, so stay tuned!

I know you'll be waiting on the edge of your seats!