Brrrr! It is getting chilly outside. Perfect time to stay indoors and create some handmade gifts.
Want to see what I made with socks, rice and buttons?
I used mens socks for the body of a snowman and womens socks for the clothing. A glue gun is helpful and buttons add charm.
The first thing I did was cut off the foot of the sock. Discard the foot section, or use in another project. Next, I turned the sock inside out & gathered it at one end. I started running a threaded needle back and forth through the bunch to close it.
Picturing a clock, I inserted the needle at each hour around the bunch to insure the end was securely stitched. You could also just tightly tie the end or use a rubber band on it. Turn the sock so the stitched part is inside. The bottom will look like this~
Stand the sock vertically and fill with dry rice. I bought inexpensive rice at Big Lots. You could also use dry beans.
As you pour in the rice, occasionally push the rice down; this will give the snowman more stability as it widens him.
You can see where I pushed the rice down at the bottom then poured more rice in...there is a little bulge where I flattened the rice, so I would push again to get the upper sock as wide as the bottom.
I used about one pound of rice for my snowgirl, then tied off the top securely. Now I got to dress her! I cut the heel/ankle as well as the toe tip from the decorative sock. I used the straight piece that resulted for her sweater. Pull the straight piece over her head to where she would wear a sweater. I tied a ribbon tightly around her 'neck' to form a head and body.
I used the heel part of the same sock for her cap. I used Distress Ink Broken China to color the ribbon roses.
A great tip for coloring flowers or ribbon to coordinate with your project; I smeared some Distress Ink on my craft sheet, spritzed it with water and rubbed the roses into the water-ink solution. Let dry.
She has a snowflake at her neckline~
I made a family of snowmen and snow girls! I can't share the others because they are going to be a surprise for friends and family. You can use smooth knitted socks for the clothing or the fuzzy kind so easily found at this time of year. You can also make pointy-ended hats if you use the toe end of the sock as the hat tip. If you tie the snowman in two places he will have 3 bulges instead of two like my little Rosy, above. I enjoy giving handcrafted gifts...I put love into each one.
I am sharing this post with~
Oh how fun! What a cute snowman and a great gift idea! I also love the tip of spritzing onto a craft sheet then dipping the ribbon in. That sounds like an improvement to what I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in Deck The Halls Sunday!
Hugs,
Terri
Oh Shawn, this snow girl is adorable! I bought a similar snowman years ago. I may use your technique to give him a snow girlfriend. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Carol
Hi Shawn - Love your little lady snow-girl - a cute idea with the socks. Socks can be such a versatile crafting tool.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a chance to stop by and read some of the Thanksgiving story. Working in a public school environment, I have felt so bad at the diluted account of Thanksgiving that is being fed to our children. I just had to speak out!
Plus, my stormy days have seen a clearing of the clouds in the past week or so - God is moving and I really connected to the storm story in the Mayflower Memoir post. Looking forward to the great things God will be doing in 2012!
Joy!
Kathy
so cute, Shawn!
ReplyDeleteYour snow girl is sooooo cute! That would be a fun project to try!
ReplyDeleteIn the voice of little Agnes (from Despicable Me), This is totally awesome! What a super cute idea; so cute I'm going to share on Facebook and add to my Pinterest board.
ReplyDeleteToo Cute! Thanks for sharing, dropping by from Artful Affirmations.
ReplyDeleteWhat an easy way to make adorable little snowmen! My g'children can even make these.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial!
Hello, Your snowgirl is adorable, thanks for the step by step how to. Have a wonderful week. Linda
ReplyDeleteYou're very clever! Very cute snowman. You asked about my son Chris and college. He likes the college life part. His class schedule has been a challenge. Think he'll have a better one 2nd session. How about your daughter?
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Thanks so much for linking up! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThat's just about the most adorable snowman!
ReplyDeleteAdorable lil guy....I don't have to go outside and freeze to make this snowman!! lol! Thanks for sharing the awesome photo tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHow precious is this?!!!! TFS, Mrs. California Sunshine!!!
ReplyDeleteCozy, cute and creative!!
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! I love how you take the ordinary and make it extraordinary! You are a true artist!
ReplyDeleteHi Shawn, what a delightful little girl snowperson. She is adorable. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/