Are you a football fan? Of course you are! Arent we all? Whether you have a game room set up, where all your friends come to watch the games, or youre just having a football party youre probably missing one thing. No, not the snacks, drinks, excitement or friends. What youre missing is a conversation piece like no other: a miniature football player that stands, pouting, in the corner. Hes easy to make, fun to display, and will take each and every friend aback when they see him.
At first glance the stuffed football player looks real. He stands, facing a corner, seemingly pouting over the events of the day. But upon closer inspection the kid is actually a stuffed figure complete with football uniform. Dont have a small football uniform? The kid can wear any outfit and display only a helmet.
You can make the football kid with any theme you like. What is required is that the child have a long sleeve shirt and long pants. If you want to use a short sleeve jersey, celebrating the name of your team, make sure to put a long sleeve shirt underneath the jersey. The easiest way to start making the football kid is to use a babys sleeper. The color or design of the sleeper doesnt matter as long as it a one-piece suit with long sleeves and feet. Make sure the pattern or color on the sleeper will not show through the final outfit the football kid will wear. Stuff the sleeper with chipped foam or cotton. Start by stuffing the feet of the sleeper and work your way up to the neck area. Place wooden dowels in the legs of the sleeper to make them stiff enough to stand. Glue the cuffs of the sleeper shut before stuffing them. Youll have to work to shape the foam or cotton in the legs, arms and other areas of the sleeper. When youre finished use a knee-hi stocking to make the head. Stuff the stocking with foam or cotton and work with it until youve got a good head shape. At that point tie off the stocking and trim away the excess. Set the head aside momentarily. Put the football outfit - or other clothing - over the sleeper. The sleeper becomes the body of the football kid and youll then dress the body. Theres no need to glue the clothes onto the sleeper but you must glue the cuffs closed on the outfit. Slide the feet of the sleeper into the chosen shoes, cleats or boots. Its helpful if you use hot glue to keep the shoes on the feet. While dressing the kid you can add shoulder pads or other enhancements. After the kid is dressed its time to attach the helmet to the stocking head. There is no need to create a face for the kid. He will stand in a corner covering his face with his "hands". Use hot glue to affix the stocking head to the neck area of the shirt. Make sure the glue is completely dry before moving on. Place the helmet on the stocking head. The helmet should be a childs helmet. If you have no helmet you can use a ball cap, turned backwards. To finish the football kid simply hot glue the shirt cuffs to the facial area. The finished kid should seemingly be pouting and covering his face. Stand the football kid in a corner or up against the sofa. Place him to where his face is up against the wall or furniture. From behind he looks like small kid that is pouting. The dowels you inserted in the legs of the sleeper allow the football kid to stand without props. The kid can stay year-round in the same place or you can just break him out on game day. The kids can be made without the dowels and can be tossed, face down, on any bed. Make sure to take note of the shocked looks on the faces of your friends as they arrive and see the pouting football kid. Theyll get a kick out of your sense of humor and the little kid will become the best conversation piece youve ever owned!
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