How to make little Peg Snowmen – two perfect craft days

Christmas in November has always felt a little too early even for this festive loving lady, so when I scheduled not one but two Christmas Craft Days at The Little House for November, way back in the earlier part of this year, I did wonder how they might work out. It felt quite a responsibility to launch anothers festive fun; turns out it is quite an honour to do just that and it happens to be so enjoyable too. Today I have a selection of photos to share with you of the crafts we made at the workshops. There is still more than enough time for you to try them all yourself or perhaps you might like to try your hand at the sweet little peg snowmen I used as name place settings for our Christmas lunch table…

To make peg snowmen you will need:

• Old fashioned dolly pegs 
• Cocktail sticks
• A hat – I’ve used acorn cups, miniature bottle tops work well too as will your own imagination
• A scarf – I used a scrap left over from this project any cosy scrap of fabric will work well
• White paint 
• Orange paint – watercolour or acrylic works fine
• Black marker pen
• Pink chalk – optional
• Hot glue gun

Firstly paint your snowman, just one thin coat will do. I used leftover paint from many-a-project, anything quick drying should work well. Once dry, add two small dots for eyes using your black marker. Next, paint both ends of your cocktail stick with orange paint and leave to dry. When dry, cut the orange ends off the cocktail stick with crafting scissors or such like, giving you perfect noses. It’s worth having a spare nose or two to hand since they are small and easily misplaced. Using your hot glue gun, stick the nose in place and don’t worry about excess glue at this stage, you’ll see why soon.

Using your chalk now – or you could use coloured pencils or diluted water colour paint – give your peg snowman some rosy cheeks. He’ll need a scarf of course …

and a hat, so go ahead and add your choices to your little guy securing the hat with more hot glue. And finally, three more black dots on the body of the snowman create the buttons of his make-believe jacket.

Remember the excess glue around his nose? Touch this up with a little more orange paint; not all carrots grow straight. And if the glue around the hat bothers you, touch up with the white paint or carefully cut away with a crafting knife. Or like me you could leave well alone and pass it off as melting snow.

Make a few and very soon you’ll have your own melt of peg snowmen. It’s true, it’s a thing, google it.

Each of my finished peg snowmen set the scene for our Christmas workshop lunch place settings and of course were taken home by my visitors to enjoy later. They make wonderful greeting card holders too and are perfect handmade decorations simply popped here and there around the home.

Dolly peg snowmen are a delightful craft to enjoy with little ones. And when your little one is in her late twenties and still wants to sit and make these cuties with you, you might like to do what I did and offer up a silent prayer of gratitude whilst enjoying the moment.

When the time came for magical Christmas workshops, another place setting of sorts, was presented over at The Little House. This time, simple goodie bags tied with string and bells, some stamped using my fabulous English Stamp Company Christmas stamps and filled with the ingredients each would need to craft away their special day. Every guest sewed a scented Christmas pudding decoration first, using vintage fabrics and trimmings and simple stitches…

Each made a delightful Christmas tree decoration using craft wire, vintage cotton reels and jewel like gem stones which shine like tiny stars when the light catches them. This craft was a joy to watch come together since the puddings were always going to be somewhat similar and the trees afforded the luxury of much more choice and individuality…

As did the mini stockings stitched in the afternoon. Each guest was encouraged to delve into every crafty box available – ’tis a myth I do not share my fabrics, just ask one who attends my craft days – and mix up the crafting mediums on offer. The old typewriter came out for a bash, as did my wonderful stamps, precious embroidery floss and a patchwork of vintage scraps. And very soon, not one but twelve unique trees and stockings, spilled out of The Little House and home with delighted ladies.

I will admit to feeling a tad emotional when the two days drew to a close. There have been five fun filled days of Crafts at The Little House with Whitewood and Linen and friends this year. Regular readers will know this was once only a dream. Yet it came true this year, with the help and support of so many friends and family and others I may never meet in real life, yet who champion me from afar.

Thank you to every single one of you. And to all who read this blog and continue to be inspired by my little crafty offerings. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do any of it without you. I wish for you and yours the most happiest of Christmas celebrations and I look forward to continuing to share my crafty journey with you in 2023. Until then…x