This weekend while visiting my in-laws; my mother in law, sister in law and I decided to take on a cute craft we had seen on Pinterest and make a these adorable snowmen made out of 2x4's to add to our Holiday Decorations! Once obtaining all the supplies they were fairly easy to make (Took probably an hour or two total) and cost less then $5 each! I love how different each one turned out with us each adding our own touch (mine on the left, my Sister-in-Law Sara Ellen's in the middle and my Mother-in-Law Jan's on the right) and think they look adorable in the house!
Supplies you Need:
2x4 piece of wood - each snowman needs 18" of this wood cut into 3 sections: 4", 6", 8"
Acrylic Paint - white black and orange are a must, add any others you'd like!
Paint brushes - a variety of sizes would be best
Fabric - Flannel or Fleece work best (*to keep cost down I shopped from the scrap fabric where I was able to find about 0.6 yd of both fabric prints shown below for only a few dollars total and we had PLENTY left over)
Ribbon/String - whichever you feel will look best to tie the top of your snowman's hat
Hot Glue Gun **Careful not to burn yourself :)
Additional Supplies you May Want:
Black Buttons
Epsom Salt - to create a snow-like look (seen on the far right snowman)
Cotton Ball
Sticks for Arms
Anything else...be creative! :)
Directions:
Prep-Work
1. Cut the 2x4 into the necessary sections for each snowman (each snow man needs a 4" piece for the head, 6" piece for the mid-section and 8" piece for the base)
2. Center the 6" piece on top of the 8" piece and glue together (using either hot glue gun or wood glue if you'd like a more secure hold) then do the same with he 4" piece on top of the 6" piece
(*If you glue these with the hot glue gun you're ready to move on as soon as it is dry, if you use the wood glue I advise letting it fully set overnight or however long the bottle suggests*)
Get Creative
3. Paint The entire surface of the wood white, **important** allow the first coat to dry (or come close to fully dry) and decide if it needs a second coat. The first coats on ours dried nearly transparent from the wood absorbing so much paint, but by the next coat it was fine.
4. Paint/Glue on your detail **Remember to leave about 2" room from the eyes to the top for where you can glue your snowman's hat, and take into consideration when gluing/painting the mouth and buttons that you will be adding a scarf.
5. After allowing the paint to dry (time depends on how thick you applied the paint but it shouldn't take too long) you're ready to apply the fabric/finishing touches.
scarf: cut a strip of the fabric at least 18" long (you be the judge of how long you'd like it and how far you'd like the scarf to hang down) wrap the scarf around the 'neck' of the snowman and tie the scarf - use your hot glue gun as necessary to help the fabric stay where you'd like
hat: cut a piece of fabric about 6" wide by 13" long (again use your judgment for if you'd like a taller/shorter hat) Glue the hat first to the front of the snowman, then both sides, and then to cover the back. Use your ribbon/string to tie the top together. **If you feel the hat isn't looking 'full' enough you may choose to stuff it with some fabric scraps, toilet paper, etc.
6. Allow the snowman to fully dry and you're done!
Be sure to share your snowman if you make one!
Happy Holidays!
Additional Instructions if you choose to add the Epsom Salt: It may be easiest to apply this when the paint is wet to help it stick into the paint. Be sure to let it dry before messing further with the snowman. If you notice a lot seems to still be falling off you can pray hairspray for a quick fix, or get some clear acrylic spray to help hold it in place. :) A bit more time and work, but a great outcome :)
2x4 snowman would match nicely with the 2x4 Rudolph the Wooden Reindeer available in my shop! Check him out!
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