Christmas in February...Clay Pot Snowman!

You will remember, I promised to post a Christmas ornament idea every month on the 25th.  With just a little pre-planning throughout the year, think how well prepared you can be for Christmas!  This month's ornament...a snowman! 

Start with a tiny clay pot.  There was no size increment on the package, but I can tell you it was similar in size to a medication cup. You will also need:  acrylic paint (white and other colors of your choosing), ribbon or thread for hanging, small scraps of fleece or felt, tiny pom-poms (optional), needle and thread, tiny rubber bands and glitter or Epsom Salt (optional).

Start by painting your clay pot white.  It took two coats.  Take a felt or fleece scrap approximately 3 x 6 inches in size (it needs to be large enough to wrap around your clay pot toward the top (actually the bottom) with room for stitching.  There will be lots of excess over the top of the clay pot. 

(Sorry for the change in colors...) Fold your fabric in half and stitch along the short side as shown. 

Trim the excess close to the seam and turn inside out.  It should look like this.  Set aside.

Back to your clay pot.  Paint the rim as desired (this is the scarf of the snowman).  Once dry, you'll want to prepare it for hanging.  You'll need approximately 7" of ribbon.  Fold in half as shown and feed the ribbon through the bottom hole.  I used a washer to keep it from going through.  It just occurred to me you could use a little jingle bell...how cute would that be?

Place your clay pot face down with the ribbon through the top. (Don't worry that your washer is resting on the table.) 

Slide your felt or fleece tube over the ribbon onto your clay pot. Fold up the lower edge and rubber-band or tie tightly the upper-most portion of the tube. Pull up on your hanging ribbon. It should now be secure. Take a sharp pair of scissors and trim little notches in the gathered felt on top as shown.

I used pom-poms for the nose (you could also use paint or tiny buttons or beads).  Paint the eyes and mouth (or use a fine point Sharpie). 

Decide one of your snowmen looks like he could use some ear muffs (larger pom-pom, cut in half) = ) 

If you choose to glitter or cover your snowman with "snow" (Epsom salt), you'll want to do so before adhering the pom-poms (or you'll need to take them off and move the hats slightly off the clay pot before coating with glue).  Sprinkle with snow or glitter.  Replace hat & pom-poms. Enjoy!

(This would also make a fun tie-on to a Christmas gift!)

Want to see more crafty, creative ideas?