Gnome Party Favors
Last week my girl turned ten. My, oh my, how time flies! We thought about different favors to give her friends at the party. We both loved the idea of gnomes! A little magic to send home with each guest :)
We made the gnomes appeal to older children with different colors. We chose teal and black, white and purple, instead of pastels. Every child is different, of course, and these colors appealed to her friends. Even the boys!
The gnomes disappeared too fast for me to even take photos. Luckily, my girl and boy brought home a gnome of their own so I could photograph these two.
I can see the gnomes being fantasic party favors even as she gets older. They are good luck charms :)
To make a big batch of gnomes (we crafted seventeen altogether), these tips helped me a lot:
- Buy gnome forms in bulk (if you can). They sell in craft stores a few to a package, but there may not be enough on the shelf. I order sets of the from A Child's Dream Come True in groups of 12 for $3- sweet! (1 and 5/8" size)
- Choose colors all at once. Pick a few colors of felt that work together as mix-and-match. Think of your friends. What are their favorite colors?
- Cut capes. I cut a couple of capes out of each color. I saved everything in a basket.
- Cut hats. Same story :)
- Use varigated thread for different colors. We used rainbow crochet thread (size 10)
- Sew the capes on the wooden gnomes. I did this in a batch where I didn't even tie knots in the thread. I started in the back, sewed a running stitch around, and knotted the two threads together. I didn't hide the threads, which was a shortcut for me. I knew the hats would cover the knots in the back.
- Sew hats. Add sequins, blanket stitch the bottom edge, whatever sounds pretty. Enjoy making each hat unique.
- Stuff a little wool or cotton stuffing in the hat and glue it on. Let the glue dry and enjoy your party!
I was busy getting her party ready, so I didn't photograph the process. One day :)
You could, of course, sew them at the party as a craft. That would be fun, too!
We knew that children would be busy playing so we made ours ahead of time.
You can find more detailed gnome-sewing directions in our book
Have fun sharing your gnomes.
P.S. My daughter sewed hats too. She loved giving her creations away :)
