Saturday, January 21, 2017

Crafty Snowmen Celebrate World Day of the Snowman - A Wintertime Holiday Review

Snowman crochet pattern
Snowman Crochet Pattern on Etsy*
January 18 is 'World Day of the Snowman', an unofficial holiday begun in 2011.  The date to celebrate this symbol of wintertime was chosen because January is usually always cold enough and snowy enough to build snowmen. The number 18 was chosen because the number "8" represents the general shape of the snowman. The "1" stands for the stick or broom often used to decorate one. 

*Snowman Crochet pattern pictured above is available in the Etsy Shop of Dream Store Design. He's  guaranteed not to melt when brought inside. :)

How the Snowman World Day Began


Cornelius Gratz, a German collector, began this 'World Day of the Snowman. He has a passion for snowmen, and is known to have the world's largest collection. He believes that the figure of a snowman brings joy and wonderful childhood memories of fun in the snow.
 

History of the Snowman


Building snowmen has been a popular winter activity since probably medieval times and has become a well-known theme for Christmas and winter decorations. They are loved in children's story books and songs (such as Frosty the Snowman) and in toys and costumes. Every winter the first thing kids want to do when snow arrives is build a snowman.





Snowman & Three Boys art print
Snowman & Three Boys Art Print
Snow has to be at its melting point before it is suitable to build a snowman. Powdery snow won't stick together, so moisture in the snow is needed. One rolls the snow across the yard making a ball. Most snowmen are made with 3 balls of graduated sizes, the smallest for the head. In Asia, snowmen are usually made of two such balls of snow. Then the 'snowman' is decorated with sticks for arms and other items for the face (carrot nose, rock or coal eyes, etc.). Many a fun winter afternoon is happily spent building snowmen.


This "Snowman and Three Boys" Art Print of an original oil painting is the creation of Vicki Wade Fine Art on Etsy.
 
The world's largest snowman was built in 2008 in Bethel, Maine, standing 122 feet 1 inch tall.


Crafty Snowmen


My fellow artistic craftsmen have created replicas of snowmen in many fiber arts. A crocheted snowman is a good way to enjoy a snowman inside out of the cold. Or have fun with a snowman even if you live where it is too warm to snow. 



Crocheted Snowman Doll


A cuddly snowman in crochet
Cuddly Crocheted Snowman

This crocheted snowman is a
 fun plush snowman who makes a cute toy for kids -- or use as a wintertime décor.

Snowman measures 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide. He is stuffed with polyester fiberfill.

Snowman is white with black buttons and black embroidered features. His nose is orange (like a carrot). He is wearing a red hat and red scarf, both of which are removable. He's  guaranteed not to melt when brought inside. :)

Snowman Kitchen Towel


Snowman design on a kitchen towel
Snowman Design on a Kitchen Towel

Bring a snowman into your kitchen for a wintertime decor. 
The towel is 16" x 24" and made of a woven polyester / polyamide blend microfiber. The microfiber towel is super absorbent which makes it perfect for use in the kitchen or bathroom. For care, machine wash with like colors and tumble dry on low. The towel comes out of the dryer wrinkle-free and ready to use. The snowman design is embroidered on the towel to add a pop of color to any kitchen or bathroom decor.

Snowman Accessories


Hand-sewn quilted coasters with snowman design
Snowman Coasters



A set of cute snowman coasters, or perhaps this snowman fabric lanyard will be a cool winter accessories for January.  

Both items are handmade by Kathie, a talented quilter from Iowa, and featured in her Etsy Shop CutePurseNalities.


*A variety of snowmen-related items are found in this crafty Etsy Shop.


Snowman Decor


Handmade snowman door hanger
Snowman Door Hanger
Perfect door hanger for wintertime and holidays.  Handmade in plastic canvas and acrylic yarn with a Snowman Design on a midnight blue background with a star in the nighttime sky.

Snowman wears a bright red hat and a green & red scarf. Cute as his carrot nose, snowman door hanger will welcome your holiday visitors or just brighten up your door (inside or outside) on dark winter days. 


Snowman doorman measures 9 inches long x 3 inches wide.







The Abominable Snowman

 

Yeti, the Abdominable Snowman - handmade toy doll
Yeti, the Abominable Snowman

And let's now forget the Abominable Snowman.  A favorite from folklore and of kids who love monsters.  Today known as Yeti, this mysterious bipedal creature is said to live in the mountains of Asia.  But you can have your own Yeti in the form of a soft pillow pal sewn from sherpa minky fabric and filled with fiberfill.  He's the creation of Melissa from Denver and is featured in her Etsy Shop 'Warm Personality'.

 

World Snowman Day


So, however you celebrate the World Day of the Snowman this January, by building a real snowman in your front yard, or enjoying a plush snowman or snowman décor indoors, snowmen are a fun part of winter. 


(c) Written by Wednesday Elf on 1/27/2017.  Updated on 1/17/2022.















Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


14 comments:

  1. Everybody loves a snowman! All of the craft items you have featured above are absolutely adorable. So many cute ways to incorporate a snowman into your daily life. My personal favorite is the unique Yeti. I'm sure that is not surprising to anyone since he has a blue face.

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    Replies
    1. LOL, Mouse. I agree. That is the cutest (handmade) Yeti I've ever seen.

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  2. The Abominable Snowman is so cute! and I do love that art print with the kids and snowman, beautiful - would look good in above my fireplace :)

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    Replies
    1. The snowman and boys art print appealed to me, too, Barbara. You need to have one with FOUR boys in the scene, LOL. Thanks for stopping by to visit my creative snowmen.

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  3. I love snowman and snowflake items. I love seasonal handtowels...and somehow never have them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seasonal hand towels are the perfect home decor, Dawn Rae. Thanks for your visit to my 'snowman day' items.

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  4. As I've said before, I learn something new every time I read articles on review this. I had no idea there was a "World Day of the Snowman". Thanks for the lesson and the memories of building snowmen. I love the all of the craft items, you have such a talent.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by, Sam. Glad you enjoyed these crafty snowmen who gathered to celebrate World Snowman Day.

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  5. He is so cute and you are so talented. I like the look on this little guys face, so happy and carefree! Just the way a snowman should be, I imagine.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your visit, Olivia. Glad you enjoyed my crafty snowmen.

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  6. While growing up in California, I never had a chance to make a snowman. Yours is adorable.

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. Hard for me to imagine, coming from 'snow' country, never having the chance to make a snowman.

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  7. I can still remember making a snowman when I was a child, so much fun. We never rolled three balls though, we tended to make more of a large mound for the body and only made a 'ball' for it's head. It was certainly more fun than snowballing as someone (usually my dad) always managed to shove a snowball down my back - not cool!

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    Replies
    1. I don't think I have made a snowman myself, Lou, since my children were small. Though I made plenty back in the day! Today, my 'grown' kids help THEIR kids make snowmen. :)

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