Upon entering the back yard of Madeleine and Bob Collier, you are
immediately brought back to your childhood days and the imagination takes
over. Your eyes are captivated by the wonderful Gnome Village. Little
people, animals, birds and structures of all sizes and shapes demand your
attention. A child's wonderland!
Madeleine, a dedicated and proficient crafter of ceramics, has painted
each and every piece of the quaint village...with a little help from her
daughters Debbie and Linda, who have also picked up on their parent's
natural talents. Having taken her 10 years to complete the village,
Madeleine now says "it’s finished...I’m not doing anymore".
Bob, in his own right, does masterful woodworking, and has constructed all
the wooden structures... bridges/houses...for the village. What a
delightful sight for your eyes to behold!
Sitting back on a hot summer’s day, if you watch closely enough your
imagination will carry you into the lives of the Gnomes and you’ll be
enchanted forever.
Not only does Madeleine bring life to her outside garden, she also has
a magnificent Christmas Village that spreads over a 4 foot by 9 foot area,
complete with moving train, street lights, carolers, houses and trees. Oh,
and don’t forget all those hand painted Snow Babies that completely
cover her Dining Room Christmas tree.
Somehow, after seeing the twinkle in her eye and hearing her loving
voice as she proudly shows you the village, I think it’s safe to say,
"No, Madeleine, I don’t think you’re finished". There is
definitely one more Gnome out there that will catch her eye, and she’ll
have to add it to the winsome scene. I’m sure she will be found during
the long, cold winter down in her craft room bringing just one more figure
to life.
