Painted Clay Pot Christmas Pals

Have you ever looked at a clay pot and thought it might look better as a reindeer or a snowman? Well, you're in luck because so have we. Take some time before the holidays really set in to make yourself a set of these Painted Clay Pot Christmas Pals from Plaid Enterprises. They'll stand guard on either side of your porch, welcoming guests into your home well into January. Spread the joy of friendship a little further by giving the reindeer to a bud you haven't seen in a while and keeping the snowman at home. There's no need to let the wintertime blues get the best of you with these snowy chums around to remind you that absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

Materials

• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pink Parfait, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Bright Red, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - White, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Black, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Nutmeg Brown, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Leaf Green, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pewter Grey, 2 oz.
• Apple Barrel ® Colors - Pumpkin Orange, 2 oz.
• 6” Terracotta pots
• 4”-4x4 wood posts
• 2” Pieces of landscape timber
• White chenille stem
• Electric blue yarn
• Small wood circles
• Felt scraps
• White thread
• Hot glue
• Ice glitter
• Small sticks
• Spray sealer
• Sandpaper
• Adhesive brown felt

Instructions

Snowman:

1. Hot glue the wood block to the bottom of the pot.
    
2. Basecoat the clay pot and the wood block with Pewter Grey. Basecoat same pot and block with White. When they are dry lightly sand to create a distressed look.
    
3. Paint the two wood blocks with Pool Blue. When they are dry, hot glue the yarn to them as shown. Hot glue the chenille stems to the tops of the yarn wrapped wood blocks. Wrap the yarn around the stems adding a few hot glue dots to secure the yarn.
    
4. Paint the wood circles Black and add White dots to create the look of buttons.
    
5. Paint the bottom of the pot Bright Red. Add White dots and sprinkle glitter on the dots before the paint dries.
    
6. Paint the sticks White. Add Pool Blue stripes and Bright Red polka dots. Lightly spray the arms with sealer and sprinkle with glitter.
    
7. Stitch the felt scraps with the white thread and add yarn to the ends.
    
8.  Paint the eyes Black and the carrot nose Pumpkin Orange.
    
9. Hot glue the earmuffs, scarf, arms, and buttons to the snowman.

Reindeer:

1. Hot glue the wood block to the bottom of the pot.
    
2. Basecoat the clay pot and the wood block with Black. Basecoat same pot and block with Nutmeg Brown. When they are dry lightly sand to create a distressed look.
    
3. Paint the wood block with Black and then Nutmeg Brown. When they are dry, hot glue to the face of the reindeer as shown.
    
4. Paint the wood circle Bright Red and add White dots.
    
5. Paint the bottom of the pot Bright Red. Add White dots and sprinkle glitter on the dots before the paint dries.
    
6. Paint the sticks White. Add Pool Blue, Bright Red, Pink Parfait and Leaf Green stripes. Lightly spray the arms with sealer and sprinkle with glitter. Hot glue to the head as shown.
    
7. Stick two pieces of felt together and cut into the shape of an ear. Hot glue to the top of the head.
    
8. Paint the eyes and mouth with Black.