Better Gnomes and Garden

Performance Art? Posing as garden gnomes in people's lawns

2011-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lego Garden Gnome Gone Fishin'

2011-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Unlike the gnome built from legos, this wee gnome is part of the Lego Minifigure Collection Series released this year. Cute! You can buy one for yourself here.

Gnome and Garden is a public art project at the Holden Arboretum

2011-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Coming this summer to the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio is a "Gnome and Garden" art exhibit. Twenty giant gnomes will be standing guard at a giant 5 feet tall! Read more about the project here.

The Chagrin Valley News reports in this article that local artist Margie Hill will be creating a Johnie Applegnome, saying "Margie's idea for 'Johnny Applegnome' was a 'gno-brainer,' considering that the Holden Arboretum has an apple tree from a cutting of a John Chapman tree in their collection." Read more about the Hill's gnomes here.


Gnomes at the Selected Artists Reception via Holden Arboretum

Oh Gnome You Don't Boardgame

2011-03-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

I just ordered this gnew gnome boardgame. I couldn't help myself! I love the art, although I am doubtful that anyone I know will play it with me.

Jesse via Boardgame Geek wrote a great review of the game here.

You can buy Oh Gnome You Don't through Amazon here.

Gneed to gname your gnome? Use a gnome name generator!

2011-03-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

Are you asking yourself, "What should I name my gnome?" It is sometimes hard to pick the perfect gname for your gnome, but this generator can help. Try it out!

Garden Gnomes Invade the Houston Zoo

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo via Houston Zoo Blog

The Houston Zoo's bird sanctuary has been transformed in recent weeks from a beach display to a backyard wonderland for birds and gnomes alike. Apparently (not a big suprise to us gnome-aniacs), "the gnomes have been a huge hit with the guests! They have been used in school group scavenger hunts and the “Gnomeo!” shouts of recognition are almost as frequent as “Nemo!” in an aquarium."

The new theme came about because the "new bird keeper admitted that her garden gnome collection had exceeded the space she had available." Yay for another active gnome-fan bringing gnome-love to the world.

On the Zoo's Blog, they credit the gnomes for newly appreciated observation of the bird house saying, "The gnomes slow guests down as they travel through the Tropical Bird House. Once they notice that first gnome, they search for one in each exhibit. Along the way, they see some gorgeous birds that they may have missed if they weren’t on the prowl for a goofy garden decoration. It is our fun and quirky way of saying, “Slow down and take a better look!”

Ahh, the power of gnomes to make you appreciate nature and the world.

Gnome Photo of the Week : Real Gnome in the Garden

2011-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Gnome Photo

We have such artistic readers of this blog!

Charlene of Gnome Photo (what a great business gname!) in Warrensburg, Missouri is one such gnome aficionado, with "a drive and passion for landscape and fine arts photography."

Charlene has done a gorgeous series of gnome photos viewable here.

Ahh, gnome art at its finest!

Gnome theft with sad consequences

2011-03-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Picture via Reporter Herold

It makes me sad when I hear of gnomes being stolen, never to be returned. I wish these "gnome liberationists" would consider the consequences of their actions. I do gnot condone gnome thefts, but if you are compelled to do so, please leave a gnote with the gnomes whereabouts, and your plan for them to return to their homes.

Case and point, as reported in the Colorado Reporter Herold this week, a Gnome fundraising program was halted by thieves. The granddaughter of an 80 year old man paid to have a large number of gnomes appear on his lawn; a birthday gift whose purchase would go towards raising money for youth to attend and get uniforms through the Explorers Youth Program. Before Grandpa could wake to see his birthday surprise, the gnomes were snatched from his lawn in the middle of the night. With the gnomes now missing, many of the youth will not be able to afford participate in this years events, and a spokesperson of the program said of this theft, “We can’t recover from this. The fundraiser is over.”

Not only are these gnomes now without homes, but kids had a great opportunity stolen from them as well. Just awful.

Bud Light Garden Gnomes

2011-03-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ah, silly gnomes and their ale . . . Not as funny as Real Men of Genius : Mr. Garden Gnome Maker, but good for a smile :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Leprechauns are NOT gnomes

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I often see confusion about leprechauns being gnomes. To clear up any misunderstandings, the start tribune posted a great article titled, "Leprechaun vs. Gnome: Battle of the Little People." A good holiday read for all!

Guard your keys like you would your garden!

2011-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you find yourself misplacing your keys? Do they get lost at the bottom of your purse? These cute key caps will by Loungefly and Fred may be t what your keys gneed to stay found and safe.

Gnomes abound in Wroclaw, Poland

2011-03-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

Photo by Marcus Cederstrom

Marcus Cederstrom went to Wroclaw, Poland because of a cheap flight special from Ryan Air - he would go back for the gnomes. Gnome-hunting to be specific.

As he reports in his blog, he found something unexpected in Wroclaw, "Gnomes. Lots and lots of gnomes." As he wandered around, he "realized gnomes were hiding everywhere."

The gnomes have a history in this town related to anti-communist protesting. A very interesting story, indeed - read all about it at Europe A la Carte.

Gnome Fabric at Spoonflower

2011-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

This puts me in the sewing mood! Imagine the gnome-ish treasures one could make with the four pages of gnome-azing fabrics available at Spoonflower!

Gnew Edition "Gnomes" book in April!

2011-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

The gnome-aniacs bible, Gnomes by by Wil Huygen (author) and Rien Poortvliet (illustrator) is being re-released in a new edition titled, "Gnomes Deluxe Collector's Edition."

This book, known for recording all gnome facts, will be available for purchase this upcoming April, but you can pre-order now at Amazon.

New York Times book reviews recently wrote a review on the new edition in their Inside Lists section, a sure sign that this will be a popular purchase for OGs (original gnome lovers, like ourselves) and NGs (new gnome lovers, largely due to the release of Gnomeo and Juliet.)

Ring in Daylight Savings with a Garden Gnome Desk Clock!

2011-03-13T11:14:00.000-07:00


Photo by Private Label

Tick Tock! Yay for sunnier days!

This "Green Coat Garden Gnome Desk Clock Woodsman" by Private Label is just what you need to celebrate longer days and bountiful gardens to come in the Spring and Summer months. At only $12.99 this is a thrifty find, well worth the guarding duties he is sure to carry out over his designated spot in your home.

Gnome Photo of the Week via Cute Overload

2011-03-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

"My Happy Place" by Pyrit @Cute Overload

This photo is via Cute Overload.

You simply must go and read the caption to hear Mandy the dogs thoughts on mingling amongst the gnomes! SO CUTE!

Gnome Interior Design: A gnome themed guest room

2011-03-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ghislaine Viñas, an interior designer based in New York, wrote a wonderful blog post for Interior Design Magazine on creating this gnome themed guest room. She gnotes that, "Gnomes, woodlands, toadstools, and other fantasies are not just for the young, but for the young at heart, the dreamers, and the smilers in us all." I concur!

Read all about her inspiration for this gnome interior decorating idea here.

Photo & Design courtesy of Ghislaine Viñas

Gnome Flash Mob

2011-03-10T07:00:00.001-08:00

Ha - I would have fainted at the site of seeing thousands of gnomes all at once! Watch video of the first ever gnome flash mob below.

Guinness World Record! Largest gathering of people dressed like gnomes!

2011-03-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

February 21, 2011 - a day that will live in Guinness World Record and garden gnome history!

At a screening of the film “Gnomeo & Juliet” in Toronto, 266 gnome-aniacs dressed up as garden gnomes to form the largest gathering of its kind in world history.

I have a feeling this record could be easily broken in the near future. Would you participate in the next gathering?

Image via Guinness World Record's Blog

Royal Wedding Commemorative Gnomes

2011-03-08T08:30:00.000-08:00

What better way to remember the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, then to own your very own commemorative wee wedding gnomes!

The B&Q company, a UK DIY garden and home supplier, put out a press release marketing the wee wedding love doves saying:

Photograph: B&Q/PA

"We expect demand for the gnomes to be very high as royal items are always sought after as a collectible item . . . [and] wouldn’t be surprised to see our gnomes popping up on Antiques Roadshow in the future.”

Collectible indeed! Who wouldn't want these little lovers adorning their royal family collection cupboards?!

Gnome Photo of the Week : Garden Gnome Manpower

2011-03-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

Spring is here, time to get some wee little workers out in your garden!

Garden Gnome Manpower by Louise B.

Sneaky Gnomes Like Practical Jokes

2011-03-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

Eeeek! I would be afraid if tall gnomes did this to me! Pretty great practical joke though :)

The Happy Gnome Bar

2011-03-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, it is Saturday night, and I wish i was close enough to the Happy Gnome Gastropub in St. Paul! As I always say, gnomes approve of craftiness, and most especially when it comes to mugs of craft ale (the Happy Gnome's specialty.) Anyone ever been?

Image by Minnesota Public Radio

Odd Manor: It's a small world after all!

2011-03-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

Gnome pun intended. I try to keep my gnome blog on the down low amongst my professional colleagues (for obvious reasons). However, low-and-behold, one of them is a gnome-fan too, as he headed up the development of this soon-to-be-released Facebook game - WITH GNOMES! Unbeknown to either of us, the company had emailed me to do a post on this game a few weeks ago . . . so here it is!

Looks like it is going to be gnome-tastic! In the game Odd Manor, you can "join the merry band of Gnome and Faerie Folk to reclaim your estate and bring magic back to the land." Garden gnomes, Gnocchi and Gneva, two very cheeky & sassy wee folk, will help you roam the manor, cultivate gardens, defend the realm, and track down the answer to your burning question, "what ever did happen to dear old Uncle Edmond Odd?"

Get game updates on their Facebook page, pre-register here for a chance to win an iPad, and sit back and enjoy this preview video below. :)

Who's ready for more gnome posts and gnome plushies?

2011-03-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

Alright, alright. I am embarrassingly neglectful of this blog and the gnome world as of late. But, today we are going to resolve that! Starting with a picture of these cute little stuffed animal gnomes my best friend sewed for my birthday present. Isn't she crafty? I just love them!

I couldn't find the exact pattern for my new little friends, but found this garden gnome plushie pattern for $3. CUTE!