Stuffed Snowman Decoration

I LOVE Snowmen at Christmas time and really all winter long. I don't know where this affinity came from, but I can't help myself. My Mom showed me some really cute stuffed pumpkins she made for Halloween this year, and I decided to use the same technique but make a snowman. 

I cut three rectangles from White Sparkled Fabric. Sized as follows:

7" tall by 16" long

6" tall by 14" long

5" tall by 12" long

With Right sides together, sew one seem down the length, making a wide tube. Turn right sides out. Press the folds out of your fabric.

Using a running stitch, gather the bottom of your tube, along the length now. Pull it tight until closed, then secure and knot your thread.

Stuff with Polyfill until your desired firmness is reached. And gather the top closed the same way you gathered the bottom.

It should look like this now. Repeat for all three pieces. **NOTE: For the largest tube you may want to put some rice in the bottom or some other method of weighting so your snowman will stand up.**

Stick a dowel into the small opening left from your gather to give the snowman a form. 

Then hand stitch each ball together. Pull tight so your stitches are invisible.

Add buttons to the middle ball. I used three mismatched buttons.

For arms, I cut a small hole into the second ball on each side.

Fray check your cut so that it doesn't get ruined or frayed over time. Using Hot Glue, stick two small twigs into the openings. Be quick-the glue will dry very quickly so know how you want your arms positioned ahead of time.

I used scrap fleece from the boys' scarves to make a beanie type hat and a scarf for my guy. I didn't want the top hat look for him today, Because should the boys ever make a Snowman of their own outside, he will be beanied. I used some orange felt for a nose and black scraps for the eyes and mouth. All hand stitched after assembly. 

After I was finished I realized that I had not weighted his bottom ball, and he kept tipping over, so I took the lid from an old sour cream container and hot glued his bottom right on for a base. It worked for me, but if you want a different look don't forget the weights!

I love this little guy, and I know I will have him around for years!So, what do you think? Is he a keeper?  

Golf Ball Christmas Tree

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I need to brag for a second. I married a wonderful man, who is very supportive of my desire to have this blog. He also has plenty of ideas for me and this time, HE wanted to be the one manning the project. I, of course, was whole-heartedly behind him.

We live near a very nice Nature Park, and it butts right up with a golf course. When the snow melts, the men of the house go almost daily and collect the golf balls the winter has saved up. This results in a large bag of golf balls that we have had for quite some time, being that neither myself or my husband golf. The Mr decided to give some of them up to make a fun Christmas Tree decoration.

Supplies:
A LOT of old Golf Balls
foam Tree
Hot Glue
Spray paint
beads or buttons for decorations
base

Mr started by commandeering an old Paint can lid. Trim the foam tree if necessary and secure to the base. Glue the balls to the base and the tree wrapping around the foam tree. Continue gluing balls around the tree.

When the glue has set, head outside and spray paint the tree with Green paint. Mr intentionally left the top ball off, so that he could use a yellow golf ball as the 'star.'

Allow paint to dry and re-coat if necessary.

Glue adornments, buttons or beads, and string an extra set of small Christmas lights around your tree. OR if you prefer a different look. Simply spray paint green and top with fake snow. I was pleasantly surprised with how well I liked the end result, and the kids loved helping!

Does your husband like helping you craft? I had a lot of fun watching all the guys in my family bond while making this tree, which is exactly what we should be doing during this season of the year.