memory gnome - a very special gift idea

A friend of mine reached out to me and asked if I would consider making her girls a memory gnome for Christmas out of her late husband's shirts.  I simply couldn't turn her down.  I knew these shirts were special to all of them.

I found a Christmas gnome at Joann Fabrics and bought it to use as a pattern.  It looks really simple to make.  There are 5 basic pattern pieces.

• Pattern piece #1 - oval base measuring approx 8" x 7 1/2"
• Pattern piece #2 - shirt which is simply a 9" x 25" rectangle
• Pattern piece #3 - Hat which is triangular but with a curved edge.  It measures 11 1/2" inches at the fold line to 15 1/2" at the back seam.  The bottom edge is curved.
• Pattern piece #4 - Beard measures 12" x 6" with curved edges
• Pattern piece #5 - Nose measures 4" circle

Other items I need for this project is...

• Batting
• 1/4 yard of fusible Interfacing for the hat
• Hot Glue Gun
• Thread
• Pom pom
• Some kind of weights to hold the gnome in place that can be washed

Here's my plan to construct the gnome.

1. Sew the shirt seam and attach to the oval base.
2. Add the batting and weights.
3. Cut and glue on the beard.  
4. Stuff the nose and cinch is in the back to create a ball.  Glue in place.
5. Interface the hat.  Stitch the back seam of the hat.  Hem the bottom edge about 1/4".  Add stuffing to the inside of the hat and glue onto the gnome.  
6. Glue on the pom pom.

I'm planning on the hat to be the star of the gnome.  This is the most visible which gives me this most space to be creative.  I've got a few ideas up my sleeve.  I definitely need to make a Hawaiian gnome!  Maybe add some sunglasses?

Check my instagram (@institcheswithpenni) in a few days to see pictures of the ones I'll be making.  

I'm deeply honored to be able to be a part of this special gift.  I know this man was loved deeply.  My friend, Sue, said he was a happy guy who loved his girls and his wife so much.

My grandmother had Alzheimers.  Many years she had no idea who I was.  I loved her anyway because I knew she loved me but just couldn't remember.  I feel we lose them twice.  Once when their memory fades away, then the final day they take their last breath on earth and enter the gates of heaven.  

Dave was a Christian and believed that God was his father.  Sue will see him again.   Here's the promise that Jesus gave us in the bible.

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I hope you will receive the gift of eternal life this Christmas.  The only thing you have to do is believe.  No one can earn it.  Simply can't be done.  Thankfully we just have to believe.

Merry Christmas!

Penni