Last Minute Gift

(pinterest)

 "I thought I had Christmas all wrapped up.  I was wrong!"


Five days before Christmas my daughter sends me this link. 

http://www.thelittlegiggler.com/p/felt-snowman.html

(thelittlegiggler.com)

It connects to a blog that shares instructions for making this cute felt snowman. (was this a hint?)  She did say how much she would love to make this for her son.  Hmmm?
Besides being really cute, the snowman is meant to be an interactive activity for kids.  With Velcro to help them stick, the parts can be removed and replaced.  Up the cute factor.

I already know my two year old grandson is into snowmen.  He reinforced that the next day when he asked me to read Snowmen at Night.  This is a book with an appealing story and delightful illustrations.  Are you getting the picture?  Yes, I'm rapidly getting sucked into this snowman thing.

(illustrator: Mark Buehner)

So now we are down to 4 days 'til Christmas and I am strongly considering getting this done as a surprise. (This is on me.  My daughter would have been just as happy to have it in February)  But the bug had bitten and I knew I wasn't going to shake it.

Be advised there won't be step-by-step instructions.  There won't be time for that.  Besides, the link above gives perfectly adequate directions.  Dress that snowman in the traditional top hat, give him a cowboy hat or a bike helmet.  The kids will love it any way you make it.


Creating with felt goes quickly. There is no fraying, so, no hemming needed. Although, I did follow the suggestion to create the pieces in double thickness for easier handling. This requires sewing the duplicate pieces together. If it wasn't for changing thread color numerous times, this would go quickly. (filling bobbins and threading needles again and again is a bit of a nuisance, but once you get caught up in the cuteness, it becomes well worth it.)

I started out with the top hat and scarf.  Of course buttons are a necessity.  I thought about adding grommets for the holes in the button but I couldn't find the thing that smashes them and holds them in.  Then I realized the Velcro has to go on the back anyway, so I plan to use thread to make them look like they are sewed on.  I'm going to use embroidery floss to add a blanket stitch to the scarf.

Yes, these are orange on the backside. I didn't have enough pink felt to double the thickness in pink. FYI:  In my haste I didn't think this project through to the end.  In retrospect I should have attached the Velcro to a single thickness of felt and then sewed the two pieces together.  That would have allowed me to do it on the machine vs finishing up the hand sewing on Christmas Day. 

I wanted another hat for more casual events so I made this one.

I tried to zig-zag the trim on the vest and screwed it up a bit because my stitch was a little too wide. But, of course, I ripped it out and redid it when I saw how tacky it looked in this picture.  The buttons are not attached in this shot either.  I may change those to something else.

And if this dapper snowman is planning to clear the walks, he will need earmuffs and a shovel.

Tying to the Snowmen at Night story, I decided to add the moon and a few stars.  (Moon not shown...still on sewing table)  A few pieces of coal for the eyes and mouth, a carrot for the nose, and sticks for arms....I think I'm almost there.

This is one of those projects that allows for personalization. Other than the three circles for the body and head, it is open to interpretation.  (Be careful.  It is tempting to just keep going.)

It's a good thing I had a deadline because creating a wardrobe for Mr. White was getting addictive.  I really wanted a vest from this piece of felt but, as you can see, that wasn't happenin'.

Since I will ruin the surprise if I post this before Christmas, I decided to make this my after Christmas post. (And, yes, I did change the buttons on the vest.)

The orange is so cute with the nose.  Maybe I'll make him a little Halloween outfit in case we get an early snow next year.  I have a few months to think about that.

I think this snowman is waiting for a hug.  I believe he will get one soon when my grandson opens his last gift of the day.  Speaking of opening....hmmm??  Not sure how to wrap this without taking it all apart and somehow that ruins the effect.   I think this one will arrive unwrapped.

FYI:  There are four books in the snowman series by Caralyn Buehner.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I'm sure you know someone who might enjoy these stories too.  If you decide to make your own snowman, be sure to send me pictures.

I am linking to:  Wow Us Wednesdays
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