Category Archives: gnome pillow

Home Sweet Home…New Book…New Patterns!

Hi! I’m Mary Hertel. Welcome to my newest book “HOME SWEET HOME Paper Piecing“. Featuring 17 of my favorite block patterns, and 7 charming projects, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of creative fun for you.

If you are new to paper piecing, you can rely on any of my books to provide step by step directions. To give you even more assistance, visit me at madebymarney.com to watch paper piecing tutorials.

Did you know that as you paper piece, the block is created on the back of the paper pattern, and will be the opposite of the pattern? On the pattern, this sweet gnome’s flower is actually pictured on the left, but in the finished block it will be on the right.

With gnomes from spring, summer, fall, and winter, this table runner can be used all year long. The book has lots of great gift ideas. Why not start sewing those Christmas gifts right now?

Totes, floor pillows, wall hangings, pillowcases and more. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

And remember, all 17 blocks can be used in any of my other 6 books. What a great way to show your creativity!

Please visit me at www.madebymarney.com for more paper piecing ideas.

Tree Skirts for the Holidays

As I started putting up my Christmas decorations, I realized I have plenty of Christmas tree skirts to choose from. They are all handmade and, of course, all paper pieced.

BEAR-Y CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

Any tree skirt pattern can be created as a table topper instead, just don’t cut the hole in the center. The BEARY-Y CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT would also make a super cute table centerpiece.

When I am decorating using a more farmhouse look, I use this tree skirt.

RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT

LITTLE RED TRUCK TREE SKIRT is so easy! Consider using fabric photos to paper piece into the windows. Your kids could be driving the trucks!

GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

I absolutley loved using my GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT last year when I decorated my tree with gnomes! I used some of these gnome patterns to create some gift bags and stockings, too!

GIFT BAG
STOCKING
CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT SAMPLER

Here’s a more traditional rendition of the Gnome Tree Skirt. I call it the CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT SAMPLER, and comes with 8 more typical Christmas images.

My 2 newest Christmas related gnomes are both Mrs. Claus blocks…

MRS. CLAUS WITH A TREE
MRS. CLAUS WITH GIFT

Most of my patterns are 20% off through the month of November for CYBER DAYS! I hope this helps to motivate you to start some of your holiday projects! Have fun creating!

PATRIOTIC GNOME PILLOW

Just in time for the Fourth of July, you could create this super cute PATRIOTIC GNOME PILLOW.

Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and any other summer day is a perfect time to display this pillow.

PATRIOTIC GIRL GNOME
PATRIOTIC BOY GNOME

I keep my pillow on display all summer. These paper pieced blocks would also work great for potholders, or even a cute table runner. I would love to see what you could create using these gnomes!

I might try some patriotic gnome towels, too! Any other good ideas?

HOMEWARD BOUND QUILT PATTERN

HOMEWARD BOUND is another of my favorite patriotic patterns. It includes paper pieced eagles, applique stars, and pieced chevron. What a great project for Quilts of Valor.

HOMEWARD BOUND WALL HANGING

HOMEWARD BOUND WALL HANGING is also included in this pattern. I love the 3-D effect the waving red stripes have on the flag.

Please have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Beach Bum Gnomes

Just in time for a summer project, here is my BEACH BUM GNOME QUILT.

BEACH BUM GNOMES QUILT

This adorable lap quilt was designed while I was vacationing in Hilton Head. I found the fabric in a super cute fabric store on the island.

I had a blast shopping for fabric that would work for the cute little “Hawaiian” shirts.

This Gnome has a unicorn floatie and sunglasses! He is ready for the beach.

This Gnome in his sailboat is definitely going on a pillow for my boyfriend, who adores sailing!

Playing in the sand…too cute!

When I discovered the fabric for this little shirt, with the tiny pink flamingos and palm trees, I went nuts! Do all of you enjoy discovering those special fabrics as much as I do?

Check out this BEACH BUM GNOME QUILT pattern and my many, many more patterns HERE.

What’s New?

These are some of the new blocks I have been creating. Most of them were customer requests.

HAPPY PIT BULL

HAPPY PIT BULL is a rendition of a customer’s pet. Although pit bulls are not my favorite breed, I’m loving them more now that I have this sweetie. I love this image so much, I put it on the back of a shirt. No one will mess with me now.

SHELTIE BLOCK

This SHELTIE is Caroline’s pet named Skittles. Adorable!

MASTIFF BLOCK

This is a very serious dog, the MASTIFFF. And this is a sweetheart of a dog…

CUTE PUPPY BLOCK

CUTE PUPPY reminds me of a beagle, but she is actually no specific breed.

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

And finally the BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG…what a cutie.

On the request of some special customers, I have designed 2 springtime Gnomes…

BUMBLE BEE GNOME
LADYBUG GNOME

The BUMBLE BEE GNOME and the LADYBUG GNOME would be great as a set of potholders or pillows for spring and summer!

What patterns are you looking for Spring and Summertime?

SPOTLIGHT on Made By Marney

I am thrilled to be featured in the CREATE WHIMSY: SPOTLIGHT! A huge Made By Marney “thank you” to them for such a lovely interview.

Create Whimsy features different artists/designers on their blog. You can see more of their interviews HERE.

After spending a few weeks in Hilton Head biking and relaxing, I discovered a super group of pickleball players that meet every morning to play. They are a local group, very friendly and welcoming.

Pickleball at Hilton Head, waiting my turn…

While I was vacationing, a gentleman contacted me to design a MILITARY GNOME. He is an Air Force veteran from the Korean War, and wanted a gnome saluting. Luckily, I never travel anywhere without my sketch pad. So between a few lovely bike rides on Hilton Head, I designed this gnome…

MILITARY GNOME

While vacationing from the Wisconsin cold and snow, this magazine hit the racks…

QUILTMAKER, March/April 2022

My “CHARMING BUTTERFLY WALKER TOTE” is featured in this issue!

CHARMING BUTTERFLY WALKER TOTE

Such a sweet butterfly block…and super easy, too!

Paper Pieced Butterfly Block

This Tote also works on a baby stroller, so it works for all ages!

Spring is right around the corner here in Wisconsin. ENJOY!

Newest Gnomes

Here are some new Gnomes that I designed for customers. You might like them too!

SKIING GNOME

SKIING GNOME is gosh darn cute as he tumbles down the ski slope! I am putting him on a pillow!

PIRATE GNOME
PIRATE SHIP

PIRATE GNOME and PIRATE SHIP can be used together as a pair of pillows, etc. or separately. They sure would look great in a kid’s room!

DOCTOR GNOME

I love “My Hero”, DOCTOR GNOME! With the stethoscope ready to use…this cute Doctor is ready to be heroic.

NURSE GNOME

NURSE GNOME is ready with the hypodermic! These two timely gnomes make a cute couple.

GNOME ANGEL

Use a metallic fabric for the wings on GNOME ANGEL to give a truly heavenly look! I always attach fusible T-shirt interfacing to the back of any metallic fabrics when I am paper piecing. It makes them much easier to handle.

Yes, I have been busy! Next time, I’ll share some new sports Gnomes AND info about my new book!

Scrap Busting Blog Hop

Welcome to our Scrap Busting Blog Hop, where we embrace every scrap in our sewing rooms. We are proving that there is no unusable scrap! I find that especially true in paper piecing, where I use my scraps every day. It is important to have a wide variety of colors to choose from when paper piecing, so as to find just that right print and color when piecing together an image.

Thanks to Melissa for hosting this blog hop and giving the designers a chance to share something new.

Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I have created a new HEARTY GNOME block. It is cute as can be, and is free to anyone who subscribes to my blog.

HEARTY GNOME

This block is great for intermediate paper piecers, but could be tackled by a confident beginner, too. This sweet gnome looks great in all kinds of projects. I added him to a 12″ pillow.

I have more Valentine Gnome patterns that would pair nicely with the HEARTY GNOME.

GNOME WITH HEART PATTERN

GNOME WITH HEART would make a great companion pillow, or make a pair of potholders, or even a small table runner. This paper pieced block pattern is available on Etsy.

GNOME LOVE PATTERN

GNOME LOVE is not only lovely for your Valentine, but would also make a great gift for a wedding or anniversary. Notice how the space between their hats forms a heart? This pattern is also available on Etsy.

If you are new to paper piecing, visit the Video/Tutorial Page on this blog for step by step directions to paper piece using my patterns.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please visit the SCRAP BUSTING BLOG HOP every Monday in January and February to see new Scrap Busting posts.

You can also visit these SCRAP BUSTING BLOG participants:

Quilting Room With Mel

Katie Mae Quilts

Some Holiday Projects

I am always asking my customers to send photos of the things they create using my patterns. Today I am sharing some of my favorite photos.

This adorable wall hanging was sewn by Carol Cheesman using LUMBERJACK GNOME, SANTA GNOME, and GNOME WITH GIFTS.

Elise Brasseale made these cute little mug rugs using the elf from SEW YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, and GNOME WITH LANTERN.

Crafty Judy Miniclier created this adorable GNOME QUILT, using assorted GNOMES FROM MY SHOP. Beautiful!

These Christmas blocks were shared by Joyce Albers. She is creating a holiday quilt. She used HO HO HO SANTA, CARDINAL, ICE SKATE, and EASY ICE SKATE.

Joyce Olson created this super cute CAMPING QUILT, using a variety of my patterns plus my CAMPING BLOCKS.

Maridee Hargis made my SNOWMAN GNOME block into a potholder.

I just want to kiss this little guy, LABRADOODLE BLOCK. Little mat sewn by Monique Covell.

And my last customer project for today is from Mary Edholm, sewing this sweet UNICORN PILLOW, using my UNICORN BLOCK.

HOLIDAY GOLDEN RETRIEVER
HOLIDAY FRENCH BULLDOG
HOLIDAY DACHSHUND

I am making these 3 holiday dogs for some Xmas pillows…HOLIDAY GOLDEN RETRIEVER, HOLIDAY FRENCH BULLDOG, and HOLIDAY DACHSHUND.

Happy sewing!

Gnome For Christmas

Want to get in on a great deal? I am linking with 13 pattern designers to offer you my newest gnome pattern, Gnome For Christmas Tree Skirt. My pattern will be included in a bundle of patterns from all 13 designers, for only $19.99.

This is the first time I am offering a group of Gnome blocks in one pattern, which many of my customers have been requesting. Here’s your chance to get 8 Gnome block patterns, AND the directions to construct this adorable Christmas Tree Skirt.

GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

Check out the CHRISTMAS IN JULY BUNDLE… it’s an amazing deal! For $19.99 you will be getting loads of adorable holiday patterns. Get ahead of the season by starting your Christmas sewing now!

I designed this TREE SKIRT pattern just for this event, but it can also be used as a table topper. And, each of the 8 different gnomes can be used in scores of other patterns which will be available on my MADE BY MARNEY ETSY shop soon…

GNOME STOCKING

Each individual gnome block pattern sells for $3 in my shop, so purchasing them as a bundle is a great deal!

GNOME GIFT SACK

Here are close-ups of the other gnome blocks available in the CHRISTMAS PATTERN BUNDLE

CANDY CANE GNOME
ICE SKATING GNOME
GNOME WITH GIFTS
GNOME WITH LANTERN
GNOME WITH BIRD
MISS GNOME

13 Christmas patterns from 13 different designers…all for only $19.99! BUT THIS OFFER STARTS JULY 5 AND ENDS ON JULY 9! Don’t miss out. See all of the patterns available at CHRISTMAS PATTERN BUNDLE, and start your holiday sewing today!