Thursday 5 May 2022

Summertime 'Gnomies'

A gnome isn't just for Christmas and a little rootle through my basket of NBUS goodies turned up a set of non-Christmas gnome stamps with matching dies .... with Summer gnomes on. 

I wanted to create a scene for the current Allsorts Challenge and a further 'rootle' made me check out the Whimsy 'Enchanted Forest' Slimline paper pack that had never been used (bought ages ago, tut, tut!). 

The gnome stamps are quite small, even if you use more than one on a wide card, then 'PING', a little light bulb suddenly flicked on. Who actually said that the background papers HAD to be used for slimline cards? With some inspired juggling about, I would be able to get a mix of two smallish oval/square backgrounds from each sheet - and that's exactly what I did. Some of the papers now have the other half safely tucked inside the packet(s) for future use, thereby stretching the pack contents, meaning more cards can be made. And this can be applied to other papers in Whimsy's Slimline range  - which I did for one card!

Here's what I  ended up making:

I used

- two 4" x 4" white card blanks, and two 5.5" x 4.25" white card blanks - all are side opening

- stamped, then coloured, all four gnomes (using Polychromos pencils) from the 'Your Next Stamp' 'Happy Gnomies' set

- at the same time I also stamped a selection of sentiments using three different sentiments from the 'Happy Gnomies' set and a single sentiment from MFT's 'Itty Bitty Celebrations' set of stamps ('Doing a Happy Dance' - so cute) - using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink

- die cut all of the gnome images using the matching dies - and my Altenew mini die cutting machine. Even though I'm once again fully kitted out and love all of my die cutting capabilities - that sweet little Altenew machine is so handy!

- then die cut the sentiment strips using two of MFT's 'Itty Bitty Strips' dies as well as the 'gnome with balloons' sentiment - using a Frantic Stamper 'Stitched Fishtail Banners' die

- to assemble the cards, I die cut one design of oval background from the 'Enchanted Forest' paper pack, plus one from an (again unused) Whimsy 'Glorious Sky' Slimline Paper Pack - using a die from Presscut's 'Oval Stitch Hole' set

- then cut two different designs of square backgrounds from the 'Enchanted Forest' paper pack - using a die from Lawn Fawn's 'Outside In Stitched Square Stackables'

- the oval card images were mounted, using glue, onto the 5.5" x 4.25" card blanks, which had already been topped white card, embossed using SU's 'Square Lattice' Textured Impressions folder and then trimmed to slightly smaller than the card front

- the square card images were mounted, using glue, onto the 4" x 4" card blanks - having first been backed with a slightly larger square/frame cut from snippets of Altenew's 'Forest Glades' card stock (one of my current favourites)

- then it was just a matter of adding a gnome image and a sentiment to each card front, using a glue pen - finished!

The planning stage took almost as long as making the cards - even though I actually doubled up on each design and made two the same of each one. That's eight cards on standby, for friends and also some of our neighbourhood kids.

I'd like to enter the 'Hello Friend' card into the current Allsorts Challenge Week #674, where the theme is 'Anything Goes, with the option of Scenic'.

And, I'd like to enter the  same card into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #38 for May. My NBUS on this card is the gnome stamp and die set, the Whimsy Slimline 'Enchanted Forest' paper pack plus MFT's 'Itty Bitty Sentiment' die strip.

I had great fun making these cards, it's such a treat to have spare time to make cards 'just because'! Hooray for Sarn jointly running the Snippets Playground!



22 comments:

  1. So cute! Utterly adorable, and love how you used the background papers xxx

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  2. I'm glad you're able to find the joy of making cards for fun again, Di, thanks to the help of Sarn. I swear the fun oozes out of your posts now, too, as you seem more lighthearted ... or maybe it's playing with these goofy gnomes that does it! They sure are a treat and you sure are a clever girl with the way you maneuvered the fabulous scenic pp to work out eight cards! Thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

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  3. Hello Di, love your not just for Christmas gnome cards. They look fun to make even though they took some planning. I've just bought a set of gnome dies mainly for Christmas cards but perhaps I'll use for others too. Hugs, E xx

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  4. Goodness me Di, you did have a productive day, clearly those little chaps provided lots of inspiration, all so colourful and fun, many thanks for sharing with us at Allsorts challenge this week.

    XX from my girls to Dudley and and extra X from Rosa guarding the Treehouse.

    B x

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  5. A wonderful set of gnomie cards Di - love how you have used the papers, and those images are gorgeous
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  6. It shows that you enjoyed making those cards - the gnomes are so cute with some great
    sentiments as well.

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  7. Oh what FUN these little cards are. Such joyous little gnomes and you've teamed them perfectly with the background papers and lovely background embossing too. So pleased you've found some time to just PLAY!
    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  8. Awwwww....!!! How cute and fabulous array of scenic cards! Absolutely LOVE anyone! The Enchanted Forest paper is a perfect choice to put those fun gnomes and the one with the clouds look great too! Love especially the cards with the embossed panel behind the scene, how wonderful match! And I think it's feminine enough to be entered also in our We Love Stamping May challenge, if you want :)
    Hugs

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  9. I don't normally do cute Di, but I love these cute little gnomes and your cards made with them.

    Sue xx

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  10. I can see you've had fun making these cards. Well done for using the background papers so effectively too. My fave is the one with the gnome floating in the sky. Thanks so much for taking part again in my challenge week at Allsorts challenge. Lynn x

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  11. Well done you juggling with those 'slimline' papers. Love the texture/dimension on the backgrounds of the cards and what adorable little 'gnome' scenes x. Fun cards x

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  12. Wow Di these cards and the images are just adorable nice to have them on hand for family and friends your so talented and those gnomes are super cuties x

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  13. They’re adorable! I love how they look over the scene papers. I especially like the last gnome who looks like he is jumping!

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  14. Fabulous and sweet cards!
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts;-))m

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  15. Oh my goodness Di, these are SO cute and fun! Love that you used the Enchanted Forest background papers, and how perfect for those gnomes. These are all wonderful but I especially like the ones with the oval shapes. I think this was even better to use them for these cards than on a slimline!

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  16. They are all gorgeous cards Di and love the gnomes. They are still selling as I sold 2 of my Needle Felting ones last week. Hugs, Carol S.xxx

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  17. Great cards using those sweet gnomes Di, and the background papers work splendidly, and the slimline papers work equally well, and as you say you should be able to get more cards from what is left of each piece. x

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  18. Such super fun 'gnomie' cards Di!! Love them!! Sure to bring a smile!!! Take care :)

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  19. Fabulous fun gnome cards Di, lovely designs and the papers are gorgeous, Kate x

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  20. OH! What wonderful scenes with your Gnomes Di, they are so very cute images.

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  21. Such an adorable set of gnome cards, Di - just love each and every one!! Great idea to make little scene ovals from patterned papers - must try that!! Thanks for sharing at NBUS!! Linda W. May Guest Designer

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  22. Four adorable gnome cards Di! Each one is adorable with those fun-loving gnomes with big smile. Great way to stretch the use of your lovely background papers! xx

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