If I could just get all of my "Work in Progress" onto the
website, I would have a really big site. I have a big folder of
photos of completed craft projects and am constantly amazed by how long it
takes to get them on the site. The good thing about that, though, is
that when I do end up adding things it's like a little walk through
parenting history for me (it's almost as good as scrapbooking!)
Anyways, the girls are 10 and 6 now (I think they were about 7 and 3
when we did this project)
Materials and directions are for ONE book end.
Materials:
milk carton
something heavy (rocks work perfectly and are fun to collect
outside, but you can also use dried beans, dried rice or sand)
paper
mache paste (click
here for directions on how to make)
scissors
masking tape
white glue
poster or tempra paint -- any color
paintbrush
Photo of child
OPTIONAL: spray varnish
Instructions:
Prepare your paper mache paste right away so it has time to cool (if
using the boil method). I like boiled paste as it's smoother and
takes a lot less flour (the REDUCE part of the three R's!).
Cut the top off the milk carton. This may require adult
assistance
Measure the bottom of the carton (it should be about 5
inches).
Measure up the same height on the milk carton and make a mark.
Cut down from the top until you reach the mark you made.
Fold over the edges so you have a perfect box (it doesn't have
to be a complete cube, but it helps the kids practice measuring.)
Fill the box with something heavy (we used rocks and had lots of fun
collecting them)
Refold the edges and tape TIGHTLY.
(you may notice we are always using this odd green masking tape in our
crafts... er, you don't have to use green -- you can use the regular
color)
Tear strips of newspaper about 1 " wide and as long as you
want.
Dip in the paper mache paste, but then remove excess paste (I run it
through my fingers to do this)
Cover the milk carton cube, in no more than 4 layers of paper
mache (I always tell the kids no more than 2 as they always put on too
much *grin*). If you put on more than 4 it will likely mold
before it dries depending on your climate.
Let dry COMPLETELY. It goes faster in a warm breezy place. If
it's a nice day, just stick it outside (just don't forget it if it starts to
rain). It takes a day or so to dry.
OPTIONAL: apply a second layer of mache. The more layers you
add, the sturdier it will be. We applied a second layer, but we only
did one layer, not 4 this time.
we always use scrap white computer paper or toilet
paper (don't laugh *grin*) for the final layer of all of our paper mache
projects.
It takes less paint to cover.
I find newspaper needs two coats of paint, whereas the white
paper only needs one.
Toilet paper gives a rough texture which is nice for some
projects.
We used computer paper for our tiger.
Paint the whole thing your preferred color and let dry
Use white glue (liberally) to glue colored macaroni onto the TOP AND
ONE SIDE ONLY! of the project
If you put macaroni all over, it will break when you put it up
against books and make a mess
if you're making two book ends, put macaroni on opposite sides
of each book end
Let dry.
OPTIONAL: cover in a coat of clear varnish. This will
make it last longer (especially since poster paints aren't water
proof),
After varnishing, cut out photo of child to the same size (or a bit
smaller) than your cube. Glue onto the front of the cube
We made these bookends for Grandma Doris (one with each daughter)
and they're still proudly displayed in her home. It would also
make a nice Mother's Day or Father's Day gift.
