Sunday Funday

Well, today was the day to paint the mache. We did not, however. Extenuating circumstances. I had to put my cat of 14 years to sleep. :( Why am I posting this in a crafting blog? Well, the time marches on and things must be done. Tomorrow is the last day of school for my girl, and I am in charge of the craft.
We are doing a tote bag with handprints and a poem for the teacher. I am going to use my acrylic paints and have each kid do a print and write their name. Then to take home, each kid will make a book mark with foamies. Not my best work, not all that creative, but I am working with some serious depression about my kitty and just don't have it in me. But I would like to say that having a purpose to work on really helps. Which is why I mentioned it in the blog.

I have a goal for the summer. One craft a day---in reality---not just words in the interweb.

Saturday

So how is the paper mache going? Today is the day for layer 2! Just rinse and repeat.

I am trying to do a craft for the girl's end of the school year party on Monday. For this, I need to do something for 21 kids. My thoughts are to do two crafts, actually...one for the teacher to keep, and one for the kids to keep. On the shirt list for the teachers is an apron or bag with all 21 kids putting handprints on it. I got into the game a day late and dollar short to do the "forget me not" craft that I read about on FamilyFun.com. Maybe for next year---and for both kids. It is a really cute idea! Basically, get a copt of the class picture, decoupage it on the plastic (PLASTIC!! terra cotta seeps water!) pot. Then, on a large craft-stick, write the year of the class and the name of your child. Add a baggie of dirt and a packet of seeds and voila! A forget-me-not pot. Simple and timeless. :)

Fantastic Family Fridays

Here is a craft that will take you through the weekend! Create a paper mache sculpture. Best done when the weather is warm and everyone can get outside. While dad is grilling dinner Friday night, mom and the kids can be slathering a scuplture form with newspaper strips and glue. Let dry overnight, apply another coat on Saturday and you can finish with painting on Sunday.

Supplies needed:
Base form**
flour
water
Strips of newspaper

Making the Paste:
Mix 1 part flour to 2 parts water. You want a mixture that is thick like paste, but runnier. You can add more water or flour as needed. This is an excellent job for the younger crowd that liked to mix and stir!
To add interest to the project, add a dash of cinnamon for an aromatic sculpture.
Add a few tablespoons of salt to prevent mold.

**Making a Base Form:
A standard base for paper mache is the balloon. It makes nice, round sculpture that you can decorate as a pinata or a globe--or anything round, really. Or you could use, well, anything. Coat a shoe box to make a decorative box. Create a chicken wire frame (with a lot of adult help), use pie tins, toilet paper tubes...anything that can hold up its shape under mooshy paper and glue. There is no limit to what you can create! This is a time comsuming, but very fun, family activity. Everyone agreeing on what to make is a different issue all together!

Friday:
Make the paper mache form, and coat with first layer of material.

The way to paper mache:
1. Mix the paste and tear newspaper into many strips. Do not cut! Torm pieces lay flatter and are stronger.
2. Dip the paper in the mixture and coat it evenly with the paste.
3. Run your fingers along the moistened strip to remove excess paste.
4. Apply to form. Overlap a lot.
5. Repeat ad nauseum until the entire form is covered.
6. After the first layer is applied, let it dry over night. Spray off the kids with the garden hose before letting them back in your house.
7. Eat dinner. Craft is done for the day! (Mom--how much did you end up doing?)