Just Add Snow... Snowman Kits to DIY

I have seen these kits in catalogs and knew I could make it myself.  In fact I decided this would be a great project to make for the grand kids and great nieces/nephews this Christmas.  Here's a step by step of how I DIM (did it myself).

Supply List:

Wooden closet rod or large dowel about 12 inches in length

Wooden drawer pulls, 3 round (buttons) and 2 square (eyes)

1/4 " dowel

Wood glue

Drill with 1/4" bit

Saws; miter and band

Assorted paint; black for eyes and mouth, orange for carrot nose, red & green for buttons

Spray shellac if not using outdoor paint

Time

Optional Supplies:

Scarf 

Hat

Bag to hold kit

Step 1

With a miter saw cut the closet rod into five 1/2 inch pieces for the mouth.  Use the remaining length of closet rod to shape a carrot nose with the band saw (or whittle it).  

Step 2

Cut eleven 3 inch lengths from the 1/4 inch dowel.

Step 3

Using a quarter inch drill bit, drill holes into the back of each mouth, nose, eye and button pieces.  Drill about 3/8 inch down but not through the wood.   Glue dowel cuts with wood glue to each piece. 

Step 4

Paint the pieces and let dry.

Step 5

Add button holes with your black paint.  Let dry.  I tried using white paint to make the buttons look like they had thread but did not like this look so I painted over them.

Step 6
After the pieces are all dry, coat them with shellac for durability in the wet snow.

If you want to go a step further, make a drawstring bag to place all the pieces in.  I used white fabric to make the bag and ironed on a design using this cute label I made.  I printed it on iron-on transfer paper that I purchase at JoAnn's.

I hope the kids have many years of fun snowman building.