
Surprise!
You didn't think I could finish this did you?
Well, I did!
How cute is he?
teehee! In his gnomish little cottage...so stinkin cute!
I could add a few more gnomes and probably will since I need to take pictures when I do...But, if you have been following along you should remember that I started with a piece of green Styrofoam 2x12x18" and trimmed the corners using a plate as a guide.

Then carefully cut corners off.
It's always best to do this when your husband (or boss of you, parent or spouse or landlord or any little copycat kids are not in spying distance).
I get in more trouble when I use the electric meat carver thing for cutting foam and styrofoam.
What's the big deal, anyway? Save the 4 corners to glue on top to make hills- or levels.
Next glue down one or two layers of white tissue.
This will make a nice surface to decoupage the book papers on to.
Like this but smoother.
It's fun and messy.
Trust me.
Would I steer you wrong?
Did I mention putting down some saran wrap on the table first?
I just use decoupage stuff from Michael's Art's and Crafts- whatever you like.
I used pages from Diary of an Edwardian Lady.
You could use Alice in Wonderland or anything with nature or rabbits or birds or ferns. Cover the entire thing by going one section at a time, tearing the pages randomly and overlapping at the edges to make a neat join.
Cover with final layer of decoupage medium and let dry throughly.
Cut about 1/4 inch or so off the bottom of 4 styrofoam eggs.
Insert 1/2 of a round wooden toothpick in to each egg.
Add a bit of Elmer's white glue.
Do not spill this on your tablecloth.
Did you put down the saran wrap like I told you?
The toothpick went right in easily to the base at the center of each corner.
Don't over think this- just stick it in and wipe off any excess glue- the weight of it will compress it down so that the eggs are touching the base.
If not give it a little push.
Let dry.
Check table for glue.
Check floor.
Check shirt. I tend to spill. 
This is the hard part.
Making the mushrooms.
I found mine at the floral supply/gift shop in Augusta called Fatman's.
Maybe you could find some or make your own by carving the styrofoam and then covering it with tissue.
Don't be mad.
Don't hate me because I found mushrooms and you have to make your own.
I did spend a lot of time painting them with gesso and then layers of red, pink and cream colored acrylics, mostly because I couldn't make up my mind but partially because the red looked too Fall-ish. Not very Spring-ish!
OK, after the mushrooms are dry then make a ball of Crayola Air Dry Clay for each one and jam the bottom of the mushroom into each ball and then smooth it down all around. Work out any air pockets and place where you want them to "grow" on the styrofoam base. They will stick as they dry.
I placed two on each "hill" and then scattered them about leaving room in the center for the gnome cottage.
It took several days (3) for the air dry clay to dry.
Then I covered it with some Martha Stewart Crepe Paper from Michael's Arts & Crafts. I wish I could get a job as a Craft Rep for them.
I could so get into making stuff with all her products!
OK, so the crepe paper comes in a pack- I got spring of course- it has dual sided crepe in two colors. One side light green one side a darker shade, etc.
I cut out a circle large enough to cover the clay at the base of the mushroom and then covered it with glue and cut a slice into the center of each crepe paper circle and then cut out a small hole.
Like a donut.
Fit it firmly down on base and smooth or wrinkle it up all the way around.
I then put glue and green glass glitter on there for a little sparkle.

Moving on to the Gnome Cottage. Here is the leaf roof pattern.
I used wool felt.
Two shades of green.
Lay a chenille stem between each leaf and pin together.
Sew using green thread down each side of the leaf.
Do not run across the chenille and break a needle!
Then do some tricky stitches and make veins by going out to each edge and back again. SEE PICTURE.
I am very visual, I expect you people who are auditory to keep up.
It's not my problem.
Lord knows, someday I will probably start filming this with the web-cam and slapping it on you tube, but not until I lose 30 pounds, so just bear with me.
LOOK at THE PICTURES.
Be kind.
To make the door use a skeleton leaf laid on top of some green wool felt.
Cut out with pinking shears and leave about 1/4" edge around.
Stitch down with machine.
Glue will show.
Don't do it!
I used some Martha Negley TWIG fabric by Westminster for the walls of the house.
Cut one rectangle 6" x 13" from twig fabric and felt.
You could place real twigs on the bed of your scanner and copy them to print your own fabric if you know how and don't get caught bringing twigs and sticks into the house.
( See Above about cutting).
Using lime green thread quilt over the twigs on fabric.
Zig Zag down a brown chenille around edge of door.
Sew down on to quilted house.
Pick a spot in the center of one side.
Just do it!
Hand stitch a tiny jingle bell for the door knob on each side.
Leave a long tail of thread and then tie it in a double knot.
Clip leaving ends. That's the way gnomes attach their doorknobs.
Trust me.
Then take a bottle cap and using the hammer and a nail or an awl if you can find yours, puncture two holes and then stitch it down above the door. 
Using an air erasable pen trace around a large button or 50 cent piece in 3 places to make windows.
Cut part of the way open leaving one side attached like a hinge.
You could trim the window if you like with small twigs or rick rack.
Make curtains from some bits of ribbon or lace. Gnomes like it comfy.
Trim the top equally on both sides in a dip so that the leaves for the roof will sit nicely. Follow the picture.
Use a plate if you must. I prefer to wing it at this point. Do what you need to do.
OK. This is what it looks like. Now, use some chenille to fortify your Gnome House. Otherwise it would flop around. We can't have that, can we?
Did I mention that I tea-dyed the white chenille stems?
You could use brown or tea dye them fast!
I like to bake them in the oven on 175 to dry them super-fast.
Do not start any fires. Please, ask an adult for help if necessary.
Should I put a warning and a disclaimer on this tutorial?
OK, So place one end even with the roof edge.
Pin it down. We are gonna zig zag these down.
I think I used 6 vertically and then 2 across the top with the ends curled at the front above the bottle cap. SEE PICTURE!
Also 2 across the bottom. Ends flush with edges.
Cut open doorway, leaving right side attached- like a hinge.
If You goof up and cut it all the way off I can't help you.
You are on your own. Reckless Crafters!
Hand stitch the sides together with green perle cotton . Tadah! 
Place the 2 finished felt leaves on top as a roof.
I curled the green chenille stems around each other a tad to help them stay and bent the leaves to look as if they were actually laying on there.
Cute, eh? I know, right?!!
I left the roof detached so that I could play.
It's easier to add furniture and stuff if the roof isn't stitched down. Whatever.
Place it on display to check size- oh, maybe before you do that final stitching.

After the crepe paper is dry you can get to the really fun part.
I glued some mica on the mushrooms and added the green glitter to the bases of the mushrooms.
I hot glued some moss and some acorns and a few green floral leaves and tiny red cap mushrooms.
I made a "table" from dice and a wooden button.
I used a craft paper punch to make tiny paper flowers and stuck them on a pin and into the clay bases.
The little gnomes will have to wait for tomorrow.
Good luck and may the Crafting Force be with you!
This may be the longest tutorial in the Blog-o-sphere! Have fun!


Materials List:
2x12x18" styrofoam
4 styrofoam eggs
chenille stems in brown and tea-dyed white- 2 brown, 10 white
glue, elmers
decoupage glue
styrofoam for mushrooms
tissue paper, white
4 round wooden toothpicks
glitter in green and white
Crayola Air dry Clay, white
Acrylic paint, white, pink, red, brown, whatever
moss, acorns, leaves, dice, wood buttons, rocks, shells,
jingle bells,
2 tiny
bottle caps
hot glue gun & sticks
nail or awl,
hammer
knife to cut styrofoam
Book to use pages from- ask Mom first!