Gnome Place Like Home

Well the move has been complete. I returned to the city where I raised my kids and made some life long friends. It's good to be back. It's a small little town in Minnesota known for its German Heritage. When I knew I was moving back here I knew I had to get the "Kindest Gnomes" stamp set, the "Gnomes " dies and the "Storybook Gnomes" Designer Series Paper (DSP).

Just an aside, if you've ever seen the movie "New In Town" with Renee Zellweger it takes place in my town. In one scene, as she drives into town, during the middle of winter her first comment is "It's winter in a theme park". It does kind of feel that way since there are a lot of festivals here through out the year. I'm pretty excited because I can watch 3 parades from the comfort of my apartment's balcony. Pretty cool! The first one will be the holiday parade the day after Thanksgiving. I've already invited friends to join me.

I've finally gotten settled in enough so that I am able to make a birthday card for my youngest grandson, "Big D" who turns 8 next week. I wanted to kick off my first card in my new home using the Gnome set.

Last night at about 2 in the morning, when I couldn't sleep, I perused Pinterest and came up with this design.

I die cut a mushroom shape in the background layer, which is embossed with a tree background (this embossing folder is retired) I stamped the mushroom image on a piece of Basic White and the colored it using my Stampin' Blends. The cute little Gnome is die cut from the DSP. I love when Stampin' Up!© makes images on the DSP that can be die cut!! I also wanted a little more than just the Gnome so I used another retired die set "In The Woods". I also added a few "stone' embellishments for some interest.

On the inside I wanted a little pocket for my grandson's gift so I used the "Mini Pocket Envelope Dies. Just perfect for a gift card or a little cash. I die cut it from Balmy Blue and the stamped another gnome on Basic White and die cut it and put it on the pocket.

The Happy Birthday greetings are from the retired "Number of Years" stamp set. I like the "Look Whose Turning" greeting then I die cut the 8 from the "Playful Alphabet" dies, also retired.

I hope you enjoyed these. Hopefully I will be able to be back soon with more. I was going to record a video but haven't found part of my video stand! LOL Hopefully it will turn up soon.