Blog - Whimsical Woods

17

June

A New Gnome Home is Born

Each Gnome Home has its own personality and requires just the right old tree log to bring it to a new life. I searched a number of my sources and found the perfect log in an old stump pile at a nearby mill. The new gnome home-to-be is the top log in the pile. Even on its side, you can see the whimsical potential.

So with the help of a big tractor and my truck, the log came back to our log yard for construction. Standing at that time over 5’ and weighing a lot, I then began to visualize the locations of the windows and doors. By looking at the photo, you can see there are many options.

The roof angle has been carved on this gnome home to be. Next was to select the front view and cut the roof line. I only get one chance at getting it right on this cut. Good sharp saw blade and trust it comes out evenly. It did, and the personality started to come out.

From there, I cut it down to 4’ and began the carving of the windows and doors. I did use the many sticks and branches the customers provided. I also added my own, which we collect from our beach and coastal travels. This process can take days to a week. A little work, walk away, and come back again while changing and adding more features.

At some point, it is enough and the gnome home look is achieved. The final assembly is the addition of the roof, chimney and ridge top. This roof was made out of very old, large cedar shakes I found out in Joyce, WA, from a very old shack that was being removed.

Construction complete, small outdoor furniture was made and added. Window decorations and moss completed the project. It then became a true, woody, Whimsical Woods Gnome Home.

A great custom project that, with the “just right” log, turned out perfectly. Now the gnomes will find it and all will be blessed with happiness and good will.

Val Jackson

Whimsical Woods

360-452-7308

www.whmsicalwoods.net

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3

March

Gnomes Love Snow

In sympathy and support of all of you on the frozen eastern part of the country, why not bring you a this snow gnome story of the past? This is from a Dec. 2014 blog story, but for many new viewers, and “likes” you might enjoy a gnome snow featured story and pictures.

Snow – Snow – Oh, No!

Now that winter is here and the snow begins to fall and pile up, our little gnome friends become little kids. They have fun playing in the snow. I heard once they make snowmen to look like us and have a good laugh. While out in the snow, they wear boots with special soles to look like animal prints. This is a very clever way of fooling those who want to catch or follow them. You can look around the ground under a bird feeder for their little show prints. The gnomes will walk in circles, or steps on moss and bare twigs in order to disguise their travels.

And yes, they play in the snow on old bark or dried leaves as a sled. They will roll up a snowball and roll it down a little slope to make a sled run. Just like us humans, they play in the snow.

Home is always warm and cozy with a glowing fireplace and a warm cup of apple cider. Maybe a cookie or two.

So, look for little prints in the snow. A bird, rabbit or even deer tracks in the fresh snow. If you smell a little smoke in the forest, chances are it came from a warm gnome home’s fireplace.

All is well in Whimsical Woods.

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27

February

Gnome Home Project – Update #4 – Final?

I think I’m finished. This started with an old tree stump about 5’ tall. I carved a forest gnome home out of it. I just added the roof and moss and I will plant a few ferns from our woods around it for the final touch. I could add (as I suggest to homeowners) a low wattage 12 vdc outdoor spot on a timer. If you do this, use a 10 watt max and not solar – it’s too bright and too white. You want that subtle soft yellowish glow. You will be very happy with the results.

So, that’s the project from start to finish (except for the ferns). We can build these large gnome homes to order which are then transported to various locations. We also have smaller gnome homes on our website which we ship all over the country.

We’d love to hear your comments and look forward to your inputs!

Thank you again for your interest in Whimsical Woods. Maybe we’ll meet you at one of our 2015 arts and craft shows in Washington. Our spring and summer show schedule is almost set and will be on our website soon. http://old.whimsicalwoods.net

Visitors are always welcome to come by our studio, tho we suggest you call ahead.

No place like gnome!

Val Jackson

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25

February

Gnome Home Project – Progress Report #3

I’m making progress on the log gnome home now that the rain has stopped. This is a very large tree stump that I am making into a permanent garden gnome home. This past weekend, I added windows with little ledges. I also worked on the porch, filling in the area with dirt and moss, etc. to landscape the front. Maybe I’ll add a path or two.

Lastly, I will add on a roof, center beam, chimney, etc. to give it a whimsical look from a distance and will complete the landscaping with plants to bring out the natural setting. I’m trying to hide the modular home in the background, which will be a little challenging.

Thanks for watching the progress. Keep checking in. Thanks!

Val Jackson

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11

February

Old Tree Stump Gnone Home Project – Progress Report

In the process, I carved out the windows and installed a gnome door and porch. Can’t over do it, but our woodland gnomes let me know what they like. These same little guys are the ones who help me in the garden by catching snails. See the blog story, http://old.whimsicalwoods.net/garden-slugssnails-vs-gnomes-2/

so best keep them happy. :-)

I’m working on incorporating the little stump in front into a porch entryway and may build a fireplace on it. Plan to add circular steps up to the porch from the ground. We’ll see how that turns out. It has been raining too much in the last few days to push ahead. Keep checking back for further updates.

All in fun here at Whimsical Woods.

http://old.whimsicalwoods.net

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9

February

Old Tree Stump Gnome Home

I recently felled some old, dead fir trees here at Whimsical Woods and cut one large stump about 5’ hight. Old tree stump, gnome home to be

I will be creating a gnome home and setting over the next few weeks and will post its progress. Let’s see how this comes together with a series of photos.

If you have an old stump on your property that you don’t know what to do with, this is a possible solution. Even if you don’t have a chain saw to make a peak, you can cover the top with wood, branches, moss, etc. to make it look like a gnome home! Or, a fairy home. Have fun!

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26

January

Gnomes and Fairies

Not a lot has been recorded about the relationship between gnomes and fairies that I have found. As they both live in the woods. Chances are they are helping each other a lot.

The gnomes are excellent crafters and gardeners. The fairies can fly above and spot trouble or look for other gnomes that might need help. They help each other like a good neighbor should. I think the variety of food they eat is similar. I do not think the fairies like beer however, but let the gnomes have a little fun now and then.

There are some similarities between a woodland gnome home and a woodland fairy home. Here at Whimsical Woods, we’ve made some of both and they are on display on our website.

To help furnish your fairy home, we have also made fairy furniture kits and fairy garden kits filled with moss, small rocks, sticks, flower pods, a colorful mushroom, etc.). Just contact us for details.

Having both gnomes and fairies around must be a wonderful thing. I’ve never actually seen either one, but I sense they’ve seen us from a distance. Perhaps a dragon fly is really a fairy in disguise? We have all seen dragon flys come nearby, stop and then zoom away. Was that really a fairy coming to say hello? Our forest friends for sure. Fairies and Gnomes. :-)

All is well here at Whimsical Woods.

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12

January

Gnomes, Bird’s Delight

Cold winter days and nights are upon us now. The birds that didn’t fly south are in need of food. One of the kinder relationships between the gnomes and birds is helping to provide bird food during the winter months.

A favorite is the gnomes’ recipe (suet like) call “Birds Delight.” First the gnomes must raid the barn or vegetable storage room to find the rendered lard used for cooking. Peanut butter mixed with shortening will also work. So, two parts suet, one or two parts yellow cornmeal, one part sugar. Mix it all together by hand adding a few tablespoons of fine salt and fine sand. The sand is needed to help digestion. I also add the best quality bird seed you can afford. I prefer the excellent 100% edible birdseed from Costco. They have it in a big green box. Perfect for feeders too and there are no cheap fillers. Good job Costco!

You can mold your mixture into squares for the commercial cages, or purchase a suet feeder from us at old.whimsicalwoods.net. They look perfectly natural, like a tree! So, gather your mixings and invite the kids. A big mess perhaps, but fun.

A word of warning, raccoons will tear down a feeder if they can get to it. I use an old style “slinky over the pole stretched and secured at the top and bottom. They cannot deal with this and will not be able to climb up. Same for squirrels. A funny thing to watch though.

So, have some fun and treat the birds to a winter delight. You will enjoy watching the popularity of a simple suet like feeder.

All is well at Whimsical Woods.

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6

January

Winter Chores and Work

There is much to do during the dark winter nights. After a long sleep during the day, the gnomes must attend to their daily chores at night. Having very good and large eyes to help them see at night, there is no let up. Keeping the house fire going for warmth and cooking is top priority. One must haul in the dried wood and have enough for a whole day.

Once the chores are completed, the gnomes will head for the shop and special work area. Usually in a large old tree or under a very big boulder. It is in these shops the gnomes make all they need, from furniture, ceramics, tools, glass blowing and clothes making. Most winter nights are happily spent making these things. Sometimes other neighbors come to help if it is a big project. Some come just to visit and tell funny stories to pass the time. There is no “gnome mart” for them to shop so they must provide for themselves.

They are the true homesteaders I think. They work and oplay as a team. Everybody gets along with each other as one big family. Maybe we humans can learn something from our little gnome friends on how to get along better. I think in helping others, you are actually helping yourself a lot more. These are very smart little people we call gnomes.

All is well in Whimsical Woods

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24

December

Gnome Christmas

The history of gnomes can be traced back almost 2,000 years. A gnome statue was discovered and carbon dated back 1,000 years. I’ve read their origins are early Scandinavian and were certainly very religious in spirit and life style. With that said, one can assume the gnomes celebrated a form of Christmas and the important christian meanings. They do not have a bible, per say, but something called the “Secret Book” which is kept by the elder gnome and respectfully read and listened to daily. It contains the spiritual guidelines and meanings to many things. The celebration of Christmas and Thanksgiving must be referred to in this Secret Book. Just how, I do not know, but let’s assume, at one time, there was a very great gnome that inspired those who followed and was referred to in the Secret Book. Perhaps it is his birth that has become the gnome Christmas, like the birth of Jesus for us.

Truly a time of reflection, sharing and spiritual renewal. A celebration of families, friends and forest animals. Larger than normal special meals and songs for sure. As for gift giving, I think that they do share a special hand made gift. The gnomes are very crafty and seem most have a skill from which comes sharing a gift. There are no stores, nor likely money to use. What works for gnomes is pure sharing and exchanges as well as singing and dancing and words from the good book.

Have you ever found fancy wrapping ribbon in the woods on Christmas day? How do you suppose it got there? Likely our little friends pulled it out of the trash at night and had a merry time decorating themselves and dancing around. Oh, what fun! A gnome Christmas. One can only imagine the fun and excitement the little gnomes must have.

A Merry Christmas to all from the families here at Whimsical Woods. All is well!

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