STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

A Warm Winter Welcome

Give these clever little snowmen a big hand -- they're made from mittens! Foam balls and other easy-to-find supplies make for an ultra-cute winter project.
   Completion Time - 
2-4 hours
   Designer - 
Paula Bales

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Balls, 2-1/2", four
Other Materials
  • Basswood sheet, 1/4" x 6" x 24"
  • Acrylic paints: green, red, white
  • Opaque white permanent marker, 5mm
  • Plaid flannel fabric, 6" x 12"
  • Child size mittens, two each: blue, black
  • Fiberfil stuffing
  • Flat buttons, 1/2", four each: red, black
  • Black beads, 3/16", eight
  • Artificial holly berries, 1/4", four
  • Plastic snowflake sequins, 22
  • White plastic-coated craft wire, 18-gauge, 12" length

Tools

  • Fine-line black permanent marker
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Wooden skewers
  • Paintbrushes: medium flat; stiff bristle round
  • Disposable palette
  • Water basin
  • Paper towels
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • Utility knife
  • Drill with 3/16" bit
  • Fine sandpaper
  • White transfer paper
  • Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
  • Thick, white craft glue

Instructions

  • 1. Use utility knife to cut 15" length from basswood sheet;save remaining wood for another project. Mark and drill twoholes in top edge of sign, at 4-1/2" and 10-1/2" from one end.Lightly sand rough edges; wipe away dust. Paint sign green; let dry.

  • 2. Insert skewers into foam balls. Holding skewer and usingflat brush, paint heads white. Place skewers in heavy glass or jar; let dry.

  • 3. Glue bead eyes and berry nose to each snowman as shown. Useblack marker to draw mouths and eyebrows. Use dry, stiff brushand very small amount red paint to paint cheeks.

  • 4. Lightly stuff mittens with fiberfil. Glue heads into cuffs,reversing thumb direction for two snowmen as shown. Glue twoblack buttons to each blue mitten; glue red buttons to black mittens.

  • 5. Cut four 1-1/2" x 12" flannel strips for scarves; tie around snowmen.

  • 6. Use pencil and white transfer paper to transfer letteringpattern to sign as shown. Trace lettering with white marker.Outline letters with black marker.

  • 7. Insert wire ends through holes in sign; twist to secure.Glue snowmen to sign; glue snowflakes to snowmen and sign.