Crafts for Christmas (day 18)

I am always on the lookout for a good, fun and easy craft that the kids and I can do for different seasons and then keep them out on display.

Here's a REALLY FUN craft to make that doesn't take any craft experience at all. It's a snowman family and you can make as many as you would like! Super Easy!What you'll need:

• powdered coffee creamer containers-one for each snowman
• package of white tube socks
• tiny black buttons-2 for each snowman
• tiny buttons of various colors-for decor(we used flower shaped from my scrapbook stuff)
• orange pipe cleaners-shaped into a 'carrot'
• fluffy pom-poms-for hats
• fleece-various colors for their hats and scarves
• hot glue and glue gun
• rubber bands-two (2) for each snowman, one above eyes and one at top of hat
• zip-lock sandwich baggie & rice or beans-1/2 cup for each snowman

Here's the instructions:

• remove lid, place sock over container.
• fill baggie with 1/2 cup rice or beans. Place into container and replace lid. Secure lid.
• cut a piece of fleece the size you'd like to make a cute, little hat.
• roll the fleece around the top of snowman and place 1 rubber band at lid(rim) and fold the fleece up to cover. Glue into place.
• at floppy end of hat, secure the second rubber band. Glue a few pom-poms around to cover rubber band. (I fringed some)
• using buttons, glue eyes into place and then the nose.
• cut a thin piece of fleece to go around the neck. Don't forget to allow enough to make the knot and hang down nicely. Tie into place.
• glue buttons down the front.
• straighten the sock so it looks even.

We also used these to give as gifts and filled them with goodies. (Just changed the lid a bit though) They always smelled good when they were opened up, because of the creamer. We usually filled them with chocolate or fudge. And that goes with anything!! :) __________________________________________________________________________ One year we made these stockings. What you'll need:

• newspaper
• scissors
• pencil & eraser
• fabric -enough to make the stocking (I used a different fabric for all 9 of us)
• sewing machine or glue (I used my sewing machine)
• embellishments (eg: glitter, buttons,ribbon, stars, etc)

Here's the instructions:

• Draw a pattern that you like onto newspaper. Cut it out
• Place 2 pieces of fabric, right side together. lay flat on table.
• PIN BOTH PIECES TOGETHER, just about where the pattern will lay.
• Trace the 'pattern' onto the fabric. Make sure pins are in proper places.
• Cut out the stocking pattern and sew together.
• Turn right side out and press with iron to make it flat.
• Hand sew a little loop on one side.
• Lay them out and let the kids decorate them till their hearts content.

What fun and How easy is that! (Note: I lined mine with a bit of thin fleece. If you choose to line yours, just lay fleece on both sides of your fabric and then cut your pattern. Remembering to pin all four (4) pieces.