My Gnome-a-Day Challenge

Recently, I was speaking with my Left Brain Task Empress/Friend of Gnomes/America’s #1 Daughter of the Year/Original Beastie, Cierra. She keeps everything requiring left brain energy around here running smoothly and also gently (usually) keeps me on task.

We were discussing the request queue and estimating when I’d be caught up. I’ll admit, I got a bit discouraged. The response to this project has been far beyond what I expected and I hate the idea of people waiting and waiting…and waiting for their bitty buddy to arrive. I had the idea of changing up the process a bit and committing to making a gnome per day. My lovely, empathetic, self-care enthusiast daughter reminded me that goals are great but that my perfectionist tendencies can railroad my progress. I settled on the idea of aiming for completing one gnome a day, taking one day off per week, and remembering to be gentle with myself if I miss the goal.

So, with some trepidation, I began. Day One went great! Day Two was easy. Day Three nearly got pushed aside in favor of a good book that I had trouble putting down, but I promised myself reading time when I went to bed. Today was Day Four and I’m learning some things about myself. I work better and more efficiently with a solid, attainable goal. When I’ve aimed for completing, say, five or seven gnomes in a week, that’s too nebulous and I find myself wasting more time. One gnome in one day is a framework that’s short-term, defined, and attainable.

I realize that four days of success may not seem particularly groundbreaking or impressive, but here’s the thing. I’m working hard these days to celebrate my wins more than I castigate myself over failures. So this is me celebrating four adorable bitsy chums that will head out soon into the world to brighten the day of strangers.

Hey, friends… if you’re struggling with mean voices that tell you your accomplishments aren’t big enough or grand enough or celebration-worthy, I am here to give you permission to tell them that they’re big, fat liars. You do things daily that ought to be celebrated, even if they seem tiny and insignificant. Got out of bed? Celebrate! Made that hard phone call? Party time! Told the clerk at Target that they have a great smile? High Fives! As hard as life is lately, any little action that you can find to celebrate, please do it. If you feel like sharing I’ll be right here throwing you a virtual party and doing a happy dance.

Day One of Gnome-a-Day

When I finished the hat it reminded me of a meadow so I decided to cover it with wildflowers.

Day Two

I got a delivery of new wool this week and some of the colors were so gorgeous! This hat is probably one of my favorites, ever.

I mean…the little trees and the clouds…I’m in love.

Day Three’s gnome had a mind of its own

My intention was for this hat to be big and soft and smooshy and well…this is what we got. He got some great name suggestions on Twitter, though: I’m pleased to introduce Merlin Arlo Gandalf the Grey.

And here we are at Day Four

Remember the wool delivery I mentioned earlier? This stunning color was part of it and I cannot express how beautiful it is in person. I added some curly locks that were just languishing in a drawer and voilá! Sunset gnome.

Thank you for being here. ilu more,

Katie