In front yards, all over Spokane snow cats are being featured in the front yard. These delightful characters cheer up a dismal January day and can be preserved in photograph alone. They are easy to make and can become a fun, family project on a cold, winter’s day.
The first step is to gather snow together as if you were making a regular snowman.
Construct the base of the cat first. Form a large round ball of snow, in the same style that you would use to construct the base of a regular-sized snowman. Erect this with a slight angle forward; as this will shape the base of the snow cat, it will also serve as the snow cat's back legs, stomach and behind... Be sure to leave a place on this ball for the next ball to be piled on. Let this sit for about 2 hours to solidify. (Good time to have lunch or go to the store.)
Carve out the snow cat's back legs. The plan is to create little curved upper leg shapes that look like a cat that is sitting down on its behind in the snow. Tilt this snow against the base, making sure to pattern them into a cat's folded leg shape. Look closely at your own cat’s legs.
Create the middle of the snow cat. Add a slightly smaller ball to the tummy area of the cat. Try to get it to lean slightly forwards (think of a cat sitting and how its body shape curves forwards). Smooth the joints over with additional snow. This is the middle "chest" section of the cat. While this chest area should be able to sit on the base without support, the addition of the front legs will provide extra support to this ball, so it helps to have the leg sticks propping up this middle ball if you find the ball not staying on its own.
Build the snow cat's front legs. Take two equal length sticks and position these so that they slant into the second ball to model the snow cat's front legs. Now you simply heap snow around these sticks, from the support up to the "chest" of the cat which is the second ball of snow. Keep on adding snow until the legs are solid and in ratio with the rest of your snow cat's body. Even out the joints over with additional snow.
Affix paws to both sets of legs. Make little "paws" of snow and stick them at the base of each leg. Utilize twig strands to create claws; four even-sized twigs for each paw, laid plane at even intervals on the paw will present an effect of claws.
Now it’s time to create the snow cat's head. Set up a smaller ball for the head, in the same fashion as you would make a snowman's head. Append to the middle ball and level out the joins over with additional snow. Shape two little cat ears out of snow. Try to mold out a little pointed area for the cat's mouth and nose region.
You can use a button, a large crystal gem or a piece of snow for the cat’s nose. For the eyes you can use larger crystal gems or buttons.
For the whiskers and mount, fine twigs work real well. You may also use whisks of a broom.
Thrust a stick into the back of the snow cat's base for the tail, making it point to the sky. As you did with the legs, cover this stick with snow, working from the base upwards. If the snow falls off, let it set stage by stage.
You may also add color to your snow cat: Put very cold water and food coloring into a spray bottle. Have several bottles of different colors on hand.
Take plenty of pictures because spring is on the way!
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