Monday, January 31, 2022

Easy Decor : Gnome Garden

 



I have a quirky fun and easy project for you today that started with leftover corks from Tequila bottles and an inspiration from Sum of Their Stories, whose project I featured at last week's party! 

I know Faerie Gardens are super popular, but me being me, I wanted to do something a little different and when I found the gnome...


Supplies: 
  • Mushroom shaped corks ( eg champagne)
  • Acrylic Paints 
  • Gnome Figurine (Target)
  • Reindeer Moss (JoAnn)
  • Glass Cloche
  • Cork
  • Floral Pick


I had a couple of corks from the bottles I used for my Clay Pot Bottle Toppers. I thought they'd make perfect mushrooms...the kind that are cute to decorate with but not eat because they're poisonous! I also have a metal and glass cloche I found a couple of years ago after Christmas at Pottery Barn for 60% off and I use it seasonally for small vignettes. When I saw plain white gnome figurines at Target for $1, I hollered and it all came together in my head. 


First thing was to make my "mushrooms"


Grabbed my corks, some red and white paint and went to work first painting them all white then painting the caps red. I took a ball end tool (an embossing tool or the end of a paintbrush would also work) and dotted the caps with the white. 



I only did one coat of the read leaving a little of the white to shine through because it looked more natural. 


Since I wanted to be able to continue to re-use the cloche I grabbed a scrap piece of cork and cut to fit the bottom. I knew I was probably going to have to use a little hot glue so I wanted a removable base. 


I picked up a package of Reindeer Moss at JoAnn (50% coupon so $2.99 / $5.99 regular price). I made a ring atop the cork (not glued, just laid it down) to figure out positioning. I did glue the mushrooms and the floral pick to the cork then placed the gnome and put the top back on. 



Total cost? $4 since I had most stuff already! There's no place like a home with a gnome right? 







4 comments:

Sum of their Stories said...

Wow, that's fantastic. I love how you did your cork mushrooms and I'm glad mine were able to inspire you to make soemthing so lovely.

Artsy VaVa said...

Dang! I just threw away one of those corks! This is adorable.

Kristie from Love My Little Cottage said...

Super cute! I've really been into gnomes lately!

My thrift store addiction said...

This is adorable, Carol!