Friday, February 3, 2012

A huggable gnome doll for a birthday boy




Finally--the Top Secret Birthday Project is revealed!  Of course, his birthday isn't officially until Sunday, and we are celebrating tomorrow, but I think it will be relatively easy to keep him away from my blog, since he has absolutely no interest in it.

Adrian loves gnomes, and even has a "gnome-friend" named Thorwald.  He sometimes writes letters to him, and a couple of times a year sends his old "Dolly" off to Magic Mountain to hang out with the gnome-folk.  Dolly is usually gone for a week or so, and then returns with a little gift from her travels--a pretty stone, an acorn cup or some such thing.

I actually did look on the internet for a gnome doll--not that I would have been able to afford it--but only came up with little wooden and needle felted ones...cute, but not cuddly.  I realized I would have to make one myself.  I used a great tutorial on making Waldorf dolls for the basis of the doll and ordered a few materials from this great supplier (there was a lot I had on hand already).

I had a bit of a dilemma when it came time to do the face.  The Waldorf babies have these tiny little noses and real baby faces, and I needed a old gnome.  So, onto the basic head shape, beneath the "skin", I needle felted a big nose and cheeks and a chin.  I had to accentuate the nose by sewing the skin fabric down around the nose.  I made separate ears from fabric and sewed those onto him.

The hair and beard were the most time consuming, as I had to make felted "mats" for them, attach them to his head and face, and then sew and needle felt the roving to them.

The clothing was the easy bit.  I made the cap from some beautiful, 3mm thick merino felt from this Etsy shop.  Quality felt isn't cheap, but for a special project you wouldn't want to go with anything but the best, right?

I am sooo looking forward to Adrian opening this gift tomorrow!

For more wonderful, creative pursuits, check out Natural Suburbia and Creative Friday!

17 comments:

  1. Nadja, this gnome is wonderful, I love the detail of his face! You are amazing.
    Happy birthday to your little one for tomorrow.
    xo

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  2. He is just perfect...wise and gentle and fabulous! I want to invite him to tea! You really must make and sell these...could you? Would you?

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  3. I agree whole-heartedly, you are AMAZING! +JMJ+

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  4. Oh wow, he's such a handsome fellow! I'm so impressed.....the sweet details! His little red nose, his great pouch and belt, his shoes, everything!

    Happy Birthday to your boy!
    Warmly,
    Carrie

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  5. What an amazing present! I am also a gnome lover and he is fantastic!

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  6. i love it, he is one lucky boy to have such a wonderful Mama

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  7. Oh, Nadja! He is so fabulous! And how your dear boy will love him! Handmade is so wonderful, how you can make exactly what you know will delight him so very much. Have a jolly day tomorrow!

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  8. You are so talented! I like the way it looks and these tiny details (face, clothing and etc.) make it so real. Great work!

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  9. Nadja, he is the most gorgeous gnome. You have done a wonderful job. I'm sure Adrian will adore him. Jacinta x

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  10. Oh my goodness! That's amazing! Man, I love gnomes.

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  11. Way to go Nadja! You're very talented and your son is sure to love his very own cuddly gnome . . . very cool!

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  12. What a beautiful, thoughtful gift. So amazing! That nose is perfect!

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  13. That gnome is amazing. Gorgeous work! I hope everyone is all better now.

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  14. Какой хорошенький!
    Здорово тут у вас, так уютно!
    Вот только как вы все успеваете?..

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