If you have access to some small wood scraps, or perhaps a board you can cut up, you can make these cute little additions to your holiday shelves. But wait, don't stop there! The creative possibilities of this craft are endless; try Santas, Christmas trees, reindeer, Nativity scenes, elves, and more!

To see a larger image of the big snowman above, click here (use your back button to return!)

You will need

wood scraps in various sizes and shapes
sandpaper
acrylic paint in white, black, and orange
brown antiquing stain
material scraps
children's socks
ribbon
raffia
buttons
white craft glue
small and large paintbrushes
dry rag


If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on this page!

What you do

Sanding & Painting
Begin by sanding any rough edges from the wood to avoid painful splinters. Paint wood white on all sides and at one end (the other end will be covered with a hat). Allow paint to dry, then apply a second coat and allow that to dry as well.

Leaving enough room at the top of the "head" for the hat's brim, paint on face by dotting on two black eyes and black dots for the mouth. Using a small, fine paintbrush, paint on an orange nose. Allow to dry completely or the antiquing you do below will smear your hard work!


Prepare Your Embellishments
While waiting for the paint to dry, choose and trim your embellishments. Use tea dyed socks and gingham prints for the antiqued snowmen, use traditional primary colors, or the popular ice blue, for your white snowmen. Fringe the ends of your scarves with sharp fabric scissors, string small pieces of raffia through button holes and tie in knots or bows, cut small scraps for patches, trim the feet off of children's socks and fringe ankle ends for hats.

The Antique Look
This step is optional. Some of ours are antiqued, some are not. When the paint has dried completely, brush on a layer of brown antiquing stain, ensuring that all cracks and crevices are filled. Immediately wipe off with a dry rag. This will create an antiqued look. Notice how the brown stain remains darker inside the little cracks and crevices giving it an aged look. Allow the stain to dry.

Finishing Touches
Tie scarf around neck, reinforce it with a bit of craft glue. Place the cuff of the children's sock on the snowman's head (the end that is not painted!), glue brim in place. Trim the "top" of the hat but cutting it in a fringe fashion. Tie a ribbon or piece of raffia around the fringed top and tighten. Fluff up the fringe by pulling and adjusting the fringes with your fingers. Add buttons to hat and/or body, you can also glue a small patch on the hat brim. You may also use material scraps to fashion a hat and glue a pom pom on the top.

If you would like to see one of our snowmen close up, click here!

Recommended Reading: I run a daycare in Darlington WI and we loved this book. I found crafts that 3 year olds could do and crafts that my older kids could do to. I also purchased the Thanksgiving craft book. Both books are wonderful and would recomend them to everyone,every age.The book uses usual household items so it is also cost effective. (courtesy Amazon)

About the Author
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at http://familycorner.com  Subscribe to her free kid's craft newsletter, Busy Little Hands, by sending any email message to mailto:kidscrafts-on@mail-list.com or by filling out the form on the left side of this article

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