As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I had gotten myself into a number of projects last week that snagged all my time. This is another one of the gifts I made, this one for my son's teacher.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbF4zwETPpzwwc3GORa0-EhT5mp-oPC-V4Hnrov510Z_m1Y2fyBI8SGZY8rs9IFj4Rh4D9mAQsylD96EkiUbBypnkOv31E3gkkU3yLqnhxLC0QyPbPwVr41-P4D1MrtyxXMhjqZS3qxUo/s320/snow+1.jpg)
And I thought I would share with you how this one was done too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz1X6IK6PXEAGUdWJx_rR2mP3NPhBHYZeuew3UO1JjsaWwmUn2M3YtYsLK6Sab5JWIDsTee9ujwKUwuZ2kIm1c9oCcy6HRFPMlUUJvhcnED_pz6p4jqLkjG4nCPkKUuOhWTWCfbPsXq-E/s320/snow+2.jpg)
The first thing I did was cut my pieces of wood. I used a 1 x 4 that was in nice shape so it didn't require much sanding. I started by determining the length of the tallest snowman, then I adjusted the other sizes by about 2 inches each. I just did the measurements visually, so I don't know what they were exactly, but I believe the tallest one was about 18-20 inches. That's about as tall as you can go using only one hinge like I did.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KSWa5SySmvvphY34cdS9PRX7PdMIWzJCZf1WNWX85LrC10l2u8js-Pj5yj8WhNc-i9t2YhYGwCtCvMtmTnya0J6WcZ5wWuUxlEx7zkbj3AZAzcda9C5ltuDlMiIfNwirVAbYtRe7v4ZI/s320/snow+3.jpg)
I had a family of 5, so I cut 5 pieces. I needed to decide how to arrange the wood, whether I wanted it random...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxX-uSzLTSOBKz4EbvqUb-i10z9T2xElBo7DI9ucEcFX4-r0KLCxIfN6d_TqudIojF26Z4XJW80040o3oFIbSpXP1_QBjs0TrR8SYlGk9QD0NXktGhXagfT-AghZJhVPOUIxQx83OjH5O/s320/snow+4.jpg)
... or descending. I decided that in this case, I liked the descending arrangement best.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNazSOVt_DzSsZafKCH2iHzDpoSdhk0xpEt_rHx32_jp0hph-AiI29QbXvRb5XxSzWByYZG3kjwX15p4mg4V9RcOddMWyYSYndv2HKFvuXmItNQIySQeTJ1yzlmI1E_KEpfYknz1SE56-y/s320/snow+5.jpg)
I measured 3 1/2" from the bottom and placed the hinge. I spaced the wood apart about 3/8" to give the hinge room for movement.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEUzaSMwT94NMEfLY8lBQZ0NhyphenhyphenpldT3DfhVmyYMuwlzCu1UVE9BgVmakUSYxTD4JElnA5_REaR436qmkN9yPa6_PKnaNGH-IlZLOfN6jzMybwyEIDjgdSsfmpAtagf1aUixtWIRghPb0L/s320/snow+6.jpg)
After marking the hinge holes, I used a drill to make a pilot hole in each slot. I repeated this step with each board and each hinge. I skipped every other slot, then flipped the whole arrangement so I could place the backside hinges, which filled the spaces I skipped on the flip side.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX5mo4V44ozycf-ixsoH7BX9YafW1SBhWkV-MaTHpNVb_slLBDJyjgBQWXysum9JVtOejRsVkOnsYu9WO6OZMJSY1jLHalyFhyK0s8PhZfIkSACQHRMQT9__bXnge2bSi2ZaEvAnBDih1/s320/snow+7.jpg)
I put in the screws temporarily, so I could test the
size and functionality. I did this with all the hinges.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunktTsN31Enb0oFVPJNSN4zuEEzn0ChijemNbJ6otScY907SWwfJvwq-pzghuHVhtLuiejXPddAYPS46-S_yiH9fi6RDoDJ2pncYH3qtwcjhG9m99VvuDhROhdsxYixih3vqHAdky1oqJ/s320/snow+8.jpg)
Then I took it all apart and applied several coats of paint. I painted the front, back and sides, but not the top and bottom.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_J5nM1ELuMOu9fD_X34HlEsSHNija8jfJj3EQ1l-apBLlj0IQPbb4ZkSRjfBOrgDB3XaEPbHbH3vWKpuKRrlzPfjNy4bomGKCstnaWGk6Dxut6n_QZ6QAsRbx_2kNzPCV9xuzxe2dxb8/s320/snow+9.jpg)
I also applied a light coat of white spray paint to the hinges. Be careful not to apply too thick of a coat or it will interfere with the functionality of the hinge.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7UVt-nCL-ikJn2PPqAaEhmrojF7YLpHsze4_-tK7SnbjOo7m21SoVsVsS91_z-Vd4sAYrdehe27SgkrGDcOVUrdJAXPAOYuyvSOoZ44b24gpiMqPpzXIRPqKz1ish0bzkHQgwGX1DP9B/s320/snow+10.jpg)
When the paint was dry, I sanded the corners.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkZc2POhv9n_ivbUH0h1dXh61XpzlnI73JDU9DMkU0BvET7MOflSHRO1Cherf8_tcapgjV91YUghRe7YecDfaKWaDzCSm_x-ZY-mJPOJui7NRLyeygidNH4eAq5IT7zisEhND04bkCTpR/s320/snow+11.jpg)
Then I put the hinges in place.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qECV2KLeO18B7NP00GpYjoWZe_-BlJQOcOTUUq2TJVMgCNtgvSifHvIBDK8QeNAr4O0FRQX7reQouHaZVYv4WnnzhV43c3bSFONFZLJc_ShYc3fn3xF6wFDnNACunLJXd6wNwJU4TS8R/s320/snow+12.jpg)
So far so good.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDCnxlNyh2jYnku2LdtNY7FlCQximyejC6eQqffZ3XQn0_98gxZ7al9uBGk-x2vuoyy7Xikg-akaQ1HtVvh1_JK_FxrwoLVXSjVbpJprS6NlhHPEvCJ22DL4WAafVwx858_Plurjkzpay/s320/snow+13.jpg)
Then I began preparing the hats. I decided to put the names on the cuff of the hats. I used an embroidery machine and made them out of fleece, but other options could be used. I think the names add a special
personalized touch to the final project.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYwxl15aqip1A1f6ufbcD-xNvRtMvpfVOmaylUzyUcPlMaXFnqAMtUk6K68z3QYJiRUd4m-n1KHmEdW_cxtlhyphenhyphenRkI2yhLDRL4LUl6h2wwk_F3dOEgGRAPTHxSgKKwPaRXTJrwXnr4I-RU/s320/snow+14.jpg)
Next, I began assembling the hats. You can see a tutorial on the hats
here. For these, my initial square of fabric was 8" x 9".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDav-9xyUZfNM35Yf-39FNGm2fffOlyvre2hHN8Ee4VNwzciuSaLZVb6TjeRPrpzs6psfC2yf0K2NIwmENS7c_zol9ShXa5W5IstppXLhgVrwivvdnW9mGsHFgrVdq0tsbz_oweKHKi-SG/s320/snow+15.jpg)
I added the cuffs with the names, alternating the height of the cuff to match the alternating height of the wood.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhknRH8U7q3i-shTRzqqwpDFpmPpyIFYWE_UbXt7uneSnz-LQLdu0grDdib9WVy9muV0U-CRX2XzUvj5Z_nh-3v8K9tCASUoS_LJ1CFu_Q_NQ6-xDUojZ5g7AqU_hoN9V9IEeNVIse9siA/s320/snow+16.jpg)
I wrapped a strip of fleece around the wood and looped it in the front to make scarves.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBgP5mSW7Yk0JKMXdihCWZI8vuy_XnKCkDD1jFNl3miLUTyIB0kkFnRJUWpfi329ubJJIDYH3v6_jSaHq8-Z4sO9MhGhHUe2DM0sy85MQLl5w-JMfh3syKwZ7a1sdgNI1eGgzyB73tA4F/s320/snow+17.jpg)
I used a sharp pair of scissors to fringe the ends of the scarf.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU-n9P922Q8S-rE3_D7WjzVKKqGlpUEYdhTqT2Zr62fNH33HzO6PRkTmJbKKb86Y67WbZ2NfMnMHQxDHJt_XVyYoqHeZNgeUS0dD5arWLpxQmubHDb_uQd03xsB6ld44OVa9IxxDzHVUc/s320/snow+18.jpg)
I made the noses out of craft foam, cutting them with a pair of pinking shears to give them the textured edge. I also added google eyes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6T6tMwCTV0mlMj1QIcOVaWwGzUkazmwujgt1ABdiZxKVLmgeeBkoC1-I9O_3CMwZX0JaHve3abao2ciDBnGh_gTq0oaU1j13ZQanhKUNjyQSjFK8x_IFo_PlnT99t7Co-EH7Uq5hEK_s/s320/snow+19.jpg)
And the last thing I had to do was add the buttons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaOahU8utCERt22mc4_S4_rg9o9crEFjVpdiHNjKgyeyXUhEn0zsoATcuGue_O0fRlyRAQ_jqpxwVv2iA27E24W40o9RpixJ5Ot8Br9cyexn_cJh1nR-8BdxxeVce6nDA40PcLXoAN1oG/s320/snow+20.jpg)
And they're done!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MkJAJhcQ5z6sYO73vyqit6-DJleLcVHGGznaxn3rtomUGCb0max8p4ZuHWAdREZvZFcBgGyThXDq4LwBo_941Znk7X_xh3tKtu5T3WgOpm-6kpFXEv9yiMrZ0rI_WxvJkD4R7fi6LOiM/s320/snow+21.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirczulfWeSIjWpx_0nKDfygLtPMVriFgXfPnRTj8JBq-y2t4OLWIrHuye2IVQ_Aw10aZ5OQdr7mGkUutoVdzXWx_eH535beF3XZRZ6WYs6Owm4VwRzC8KA51og5yxN0ymQNlHWfwid7bRw/s320/snow+22.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YZZmaOMTeGfMod6e_IFWdUy_kGX1IBlGoHMvbcCIIMh541XJeR-wIzKSQz1zjuqSqabYCeUWWQrm8FfziNSCDECpoh6Bv9sNh3UCwaRlIv1gNjSzbYLvSAIHuaAJMcwGWDL_aoOLjQTM/s320/snow+23.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVd8YPw_qcijVKeOkFU2X_y0x27aPiW_vHYPLUXgT_SaRl3C9Yxej41daCxeCjxpt-oJm_loNIDuWGpzRL5bU4U6Pq6OTX1qTvd0uvRUfxy-zLFbQnPsv7809xTF86XAaOToCzWrSBUT6/s320/snow+24.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5MBr-sj5_klRTDgnky4qMbxasIWXyUsfhguFQHm7zX41aNHGTaFHO8-3xN_RQb_NrNdV0sV67zyZg65lT3gCxpShPVG6SBYDvfNr8Cf1dnbZv7hRamS8r-kYsslUrQeVHxvtmtDIZzzj/s320/snow+25.jpg)
And an added bonus is how neatly they fold up for easy storage. That is, if you ever put them away anyway!
Share your thoughts and your examples!
Here's a fun one done by Brooke at
BrookePitcher.com. I think it turned out great! Check it out
here!![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tLdwM7r0vjiTpI3aSEn8c0mmtDetDpg1aDvJ2kpi7soljnl2WojqHqULqaOUWVNXgG1DMLfcV5Uc4YcQWPS_f7WG66fNkbMJ5EZKOaQGjaWtgr1d1O0xGnLpLc6X8EYo0YOkXud9G1urA9aVczm21eS6LYh0ypnwsW-7Q=s0-d)
And don't forget to check out the endless list of inspirational ideas at my home page
childmade.com.