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17
02
2010
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Papier Machier Piggies! |
There is nothing that my kids love more than being creative, being messy, being noisy and having fun - your children are probably like that as well!
When I was young myself I used to like to make papier mache but it was a lengthy process, well now me and my little angels (ahem) like to make papier mache pig masks in a jiffy!
I know people who use large 4 litre cartons of milk to mould the masks but I find that this gives a strange elongated shape, I much prefer the tried and tested balloon method just like mama used to make! Take a balloon and blow it up until it is approximately the size of your childs head. Tape this balloon to a heavy unmoving object to hold it in place, I recommend using a heavy mixing place as this will also collect any water and gum that runs off of the balloon during the mache making. Be aware that the balloon will become heavy during the moulding phase and so it has to be firmly secured to stop it rolling around.
Mix warm water in another bowl with plain flour until it takes on a semi-fluid paste like consistency. Here comes my tip for speeding the process up: rather than tearing paper into small pieces as traditionally done, instead cut pieces of newspaper into an oval face shape, each oval being the same size. Cut these ovals into four section: top, bottom and two middle. Dip these, one quarter a time, into the paste and then place carefully onto the balloon. Overlap each section slightly with the one below. I recommend at least four full ovals be placed onto the balloon, don’t forget to smooth out the paper once placed or it will look ridged when dry. This is very messy work, which I guarantee your kids will love, so try to have some sheets or paper around the craft area and wear overalls or aprons.
Once this stage is completed place the balloon, still attached by tape to its base, into a conservatory or warm room. It can take up to two days to dry. Remove the tape and pop the balloon to leave a lovely face sized mask.
Once dry you can cut eye and mouth holes. Cut out one section from a cardboard egg box and, using a paper friendly glue, stick onto the middle of the mask to form a snout. Cut two triangles from a cardboard cereal box and stick onto the top corners of the mask, bend over to form piggy ears.
It is now time for the painting, and of course the little ones will love this! Use acrylic paints, either bright pink or make your own pig colour by mixing red and white acrylics. Make sure that you paint the whole mask with an initial white acrylic undercoat before applying two coats of pig! Once the paint is dry you can either attache elastic to the mask or glue it onto wooden spatulas to make masks that you hold.
This is lots and lots of fun, it will really get your children’s creative juices flowing and will have them running around the house making ’oinking’ noises for days to come!