Toys

When is the right time to bring fanciful gnomes into your child’s life? As soon as they are sitting up and ready to play, of course! Our Big Gnomes for Wee Hands were designed with our littlest ones in mind. The large bodies are easy for wee hands to grasp, and with no small parts, safe for supervised play. Make a pair (one for each hand, of course) or make all six in this series for a delightful Spring Rainbow of Big Gnomes!  

Our Big Gnomes for Wee Hands measures 6 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Note: Check the bottom of the page for a link to a different set of Big Gnomes.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR EACH LARGE GNOME:

Materials for Each Large Gnome:
Large Wooden Peg People - 3 9/16" x 1 1/8"
Wool felt in light and dark matching colors
Embroidery floss in coordinating colors
Crafting glue
Favorite stuffing material (optional)
Beeswax wood finish (optional)
Pattern

Note: All materials used should be non toxic and child safe.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO PREVENT MISUSE OF MATERIALS.

IMPORTANT: There can be significant variations in the sizes of the wooden pegs even from the same manufacture and even in the same shipment! Before cutting the body wraps out of felt, cut the pieces out of paper, and "try them on" your wooden pegs. Make adjustments to the paper pattern before cutting out your felt.

Directions:
Make a copy of the pattern.

Cut hat and cape out of the dark felt color and the body wrap out of the light felt color. Using the pattern and photo as a guide, cut out the applique pieces.

Check the peg to make sure the bottom is smooth. Occasionally, a little nub may remain on the bottom of a peg. If there is one, simply sand it off with a small piece of sandpaper or a nail file.

You may choose to finish the exposed parts of the wooden pegs with a beeswax polish. I love the rich look it gives the wood. Only finish the head, shoulder and base, not the area that will be glued. I use a small, hard bristle paint brush to get in the neck. This is an optional step. 

 
Glue body wrap to the wooden peg. Match the bottom edge of the wrap with the bottom edge of the wooden peg.

Add appliques and embroidery to the cape using the pattern as a guide. Blanket stitch the outer edge of the cape.

Using 2 strands of floss that match the cape, sew a running stitch close to the neck edge on the cap. DO NOT tie off.

Gather the running stitch slightly to make it fit around the peg's neck. The back of the cape should be centered with the back (the seamed edge) of the body wrap. Stitch closed at neck.

Lift the cape and in the center back, from the inside, tack the cape to the body wrap using 2 strands of matching thread. This will prevent the cape from turning during play.

Using 3 strands of contrasting floss, satin stitch a closure at the neckline.

Mark the overlap line on hat. Embroider the flowers using the pattern for placement.

Form the hat by matching the right edge of the hat piece with the overlap line. Pin together. Using 2 strands of matching floss, sew the hat together using a running stitch or blanket stitch. (I used a running stitch.)

 
Blanket stitch the lower edge of the hat using 3 strands of embroidery floss.

 
You can stuff the hat or leave it empty. If the gnome is going to be played with by very young children that will put the gnome in their mouth, I highly suggest you stuff the hat so it retains its shape. Using your favorite stuffing, stuff the inside of the hat stopping about 1/2" from the edge.

 
 
Place a line of crafting glue on the inside of the hat near the edge. Position the hat on the gnome tilting it slightly backward.
 

Give your Big Gnome a name and introduce him or her to some Wee hands!

Here is another set of Big Gnomes you may enjoy!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

 

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights. Read our FAQs found HERE for specifics or contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Patterns may be used for personal use only. If you are interested in obtaining a Cottage Industry License so you can sell items made from our patterns, information can be found HERE.

 

If we seemed to have been rather elusive this week, its because we've been hard at work creating our Spring Gnomes for Wee Hands. Look for the tutorial in the next day or two. Plus, these mega sized gnomes will be available in Wee Folk Art Market Place in sets of two in the next couple of days. I always feel like I'm bragging, but I love the colors and designs on these little... I mean BIG guys! They were also very cooperative for the photo shoot :) Watch for them soon!

Green and Orange Gnomes

Purple and Pink Gnomes

Blue and Yellow Gnomes

Just the perfect size for Wee Hands :)

 

NOTE: Kits for this project will be available in our shop Monday, 4-23-12 :)
 
Preschoolers will love sorting and matching colors with our Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorns. These pretty little acorns will help young children in color recognition, counting and sorting abilities. It also encourages agility and dexterity in wee hands. And, because they are beautiful, they add to the warmth and charm to any room!  
 
To make your own you will need:
 
Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorn Kit from Wee Folk Art's Market Place [Available April 23]
 
Note: Kit includes 6 wooden bowls and 18 wooden acorns. To finish the project you will need fine sandpaper, wood stain (optional), paint and beeswax wood finish.
  
 
~OR~
 
6 wooden bowls 
18 wood acorns
sandpaper, fine
wood stain (optional)
wood paint
beeswax finish
 
Note: All materials used should be non toxic and child safe.
 
MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN WEE FOLK ART'S MARKET PLACE: [available April 23]
Wooden Sorting Bowls and Acorns Kit
Wood Finishing Kit (Non toxic soy wood stain (optional) in Fruitwood or Walnut, Beeswax Finish, and Fine Grade Sandpaper - Each item is also sold separately)
Non toxic soy paint
 
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: The acorns are small and considered a choke hazard. Although generally it is recommended that small parts should not be given to children under 3 years of age, we highly recommended you do not give small parts to any child that still puts toys in their mouth, no matter how old they are!
 
Using fine grit sandpaper, sand wood pieces smooth. Wipe off to remove any saw dust.
 
  
Using a non toxic, child safe wood stain, stain just the OUTSIDE of the bowls and the caps of the acorns. I found it easiest to use a hard bristle paint brush to apply the stain to the acorn caps. Note: If you prefer, you can choose NOT to stain the wood. The bowls and acorns in this tutorial have not been stained.

 
Choose 6 different colors of paint. Paint the inside of each bowl and the rim a different color. Paint your acorn bottoms to match the inside of the bowls. You will paint groups of three acorns the same color.
 

  
When the paint and stain are thoroughly dry, seal the bowls and acorns with a Beeswax Finish.
 

Notice the 2 acorns below. They have not been stained. The one on the right was sealed with our Beeswax Finish. It naturally gives the wood a wonderful patina.

Now your bowls and acorns are ready to be played with. Remember to reapply the Beeswax Finish periodically to the wood to maintain a beautiful luster and to prolong the life of the wood.

  
OTHER IDEAS FOR USING THE WOODEN CUPS AND EGGS
 
Of course, children will come up with their own ways to use the bowls and acorns :) The bowls and acorns will undoubtedly be moved to play kitchens, the acorns can be used for counting and sorting, and, you can flip the bowls over, and hide acorns under them for a super fun guessing game :) 
 
 
 

 
NOTE: Kits for this project will be available in our shop Monday, 4-23-12 :)

[We took one of our favorite patterns and made it lovelier by adding more embroidery. I love the end results!]

If Fairy Dust is sprinkled on a flower as the last dew of morning evaporates, something magical happens... a Flower Fairy is born! If you are lucky enough to have Flower Fairies in your garden, then you already know that all of your plants seem to grow a little lovelier and their blooms seem to last a little longer… as if by magic!
 
Now, you can bring that magic indoors by crafting your own Flower Fairies. Long known to be great friends with the gnomes and woodland creatures, your Flower Fairies will easily join in the merry making with the rest of your wee folk.
 
Our Mother Flower Fairy measures 2 ½” (6.5cm) and the Baby Bud is 1 ¾” (4.5) tall.

To make your own you will need:

Flower Fairy and Bud Kit from Wee Folk Art's Market Place [Available April 23]

Note: Kit includes 100% wool felt, cotton embroidery floss, an adult and child wooden peg and directions. To finish the project you will need crafting glue, embroidery needles and disappearing marker. Occasionally, you'll need fine sandpaper to smooth bottom of pegs so they stand straight.

~OR~

Materials:
1 adult and 1 child wooden peg
100% wool felt in a light and medium color (pictured: peach and orange) and green
100% cotton 6 ply cotton embroidery floss to coordinate with each felt and a dark floss in the same color family as the light and medium color felts (pictured: rust).
beeswax finish (optional)
sandpaper (optional)
disappearing marker
pattern

Note: All materials used should be non toxic and child safe.
 
MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN WEE FOLK ART'S MARKET PLACE: [available April 23]
Flower Fairy and Bud Kit
Crafting glue
Embroidery Needles
Beeswax finish (optional)
Sandpaper, fine grade (optional)

Note: The tutorial features the Orange Flower Fairy and Bud. Visit Wee Folk Art's Shop to discover all the different color options!

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING: The Baby Buds are small and considered a choke hazard. Although generally it is recommended that small parts should not be given to children under 3 years of age, we highly recommended you do not give small parts to any child that still puts toys in their mouth, no matter how old they are!

IMPORTANT: There can be significant variations in the sizes of the wooden pegs even from the same manufacture and even in the same shipment! Before cutting the body wraps out of felt, cut the pieces out of paper, and "try them on" your wooden pegs. Make adjustments to the paper pattern before cutting out your felt.

 
Directions:

Make copy of Pattern and cut out the felt as follows:

Light color - flower petals, small cap, small body wrap
Medium color - brimmed hat, large body wrap
Green - large and small leaves

Check out Tips for Cutting Out Felt.

 
FLOWER FAIRY:
Check the pegs to make sure the bottoms are even and stands securely. Occasionally, a little nub may remain on the bottom of a peg. If it does, simple sand off with a small piece of sandpaper or nail file.

Recently, I've started finishing the exposed parts of the wooden pegs with a beeswax polish. I love the rich look it gives the wood. I do not finish the area that will be glued. I do the head, shoulder and base. I use a small, hard bristle paint brush to get in the neck. This is an optional step. BTW... you will notice half my pictures have finished wood and the other half do not.

Wrapping the peg:
Glue body wrap to wooden peg. The seam will be the back of the fairy.

Flower Petal:

Embroider along the edge of the flower petals using a blanket stitch and 2 strands of dark orange floss (a).

Sew the two short sides of the petal together using a whip stitch and 2 strands of light orange floss (b). Sew a running stitch along the upper edge of the petal piece using 2 strands of light orange floss (b). Start and stop at the back seam. Gently gather the stitches until the petals fit snuggly around the fairy’s neck. Tie off the thread and from the inside tack the petal to the body tube near the neck. This will prevent the petals from turning.

Leaves:
Just like the flower petals, embroider along the edge of the large leaves using a blanket stitch and 2 strands of green floss (c). Sew the two short sides of the leaves together using a whip stitch and 2 strands of green floss (c). Sew a running stitch along the upper edge of the leaves using 2 strands of green floss (c).

Gently gather the stitches until the leaves fit snuggly around the fairy’s neck. Tie off the thread and from the inside tack the leaves to the petals near the neck. This will prevent the leaves from turning.

Brimmed Hat:
Transfer embroidery markings to hat.

Embroider hat as follows:
Outer edge: blanket stitching using 2 strands of light orange floss (b)
Vine: stem stitch using 3 strands of green floss (c)
Leaves: detached chain using 3 strands of green floss (c)
Flowers: French knots using 3 strands of dark orange floss (d)

Sew a running stitch alongside of the vine using 2 strands of medium orange floss (a).

Gently gather the stitches. Try the hat on and adjust gathers so the hat fits. Tie off the thread.

Run a thin line of crafting glue on the inside of the hat along the gathering line.

Place the hat so it tilts backwards with the low end centered on the Fairy’s back. Carefully squeeze the hat to make sure it is securely positioned.

BUD:
 
Wrapping the peg:
Glue body wrap to wooden peg. The seam will be the back of the bud.

Leaves:
To make leaves, follow directions for the Fairy leaves to blanket stitch edge, whip stitching together, sewing a running stitch along the top, gathering, and tacking the leaves to the body wrap.

Cap:
Transfer embroidery markings to cap.

Embroider cap as follows:
Leaves: detached chain using 3 strands of green floss (c)
Flower: French knot using 3 strands of dark orange floss (d)

Sew a running stitch along the edge of the cap using 2 strands of light orange floss (2). Gently gather the stitches. Try the cap on and adjust gathers so the cap fits. Tie off the thread.

Run a thin line of crafting glue on the inside of the cap along the gathering line. Place the cap so it tilts backwards with the low end centered on the Bud’s back. Carefully squeeze the cap to make sure it is securely positioned.

Your Mother and Child Flower Fairies are now ready to bring a little magic into a child's life!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

Patterns may be used for personal use only. If you are interested in obtaining a Cottage Industry License so you can sell items made from our patterns, information can be found HERE.

Photos 11-29-11, 4-2-12,4-2-12