paper mache

Hey!
Today we will learn how to make paper mache(paper ma-sh-ay).Paper mache is the technique of using old newspapers and making new,long lasting,pretty and earth friendly projects.

How to make paper mache paste

1. Tear newspaper into really tiny pieces.The smaller,the better.Its better if you tear the strips as cutting takes too much time.
2. Put the newspaper bits in a bucket and pour hot water on it.(not warm, hot!)Cover the bucket with a piece of cloth or something so that the water does not become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
3. Leave the newspaper bits in water for 3-4 days.After 3-4 days,the newspaper should have become soft and pulpy. 
4. Strain the newspaper and water mixture using a colander.Make sure that there is minimal water in the newspaper bits.
5. Next,put some maida(flour) and glue in the soft and pulpy newspaper.Start kneading it.Knead it for about 4-5 minutes.Towards the end of it,you shouls have a nice,gooey and sticky mixture.

Tips

• When you soak the newspaper,you will see that the bucket is stained black.This happens due to the lead released by the newspaper.The best way to remove it from utensils is by using VEGETABLE OIL.
• If your nails get stained,use nail polish remover to remove the the black colour.
• Once you submerge your newspaper,put your hands in the mixture and start churning  and tearing the soft newspaper.

you might want to put a little bit of listerine or any other mouthwash to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Use of paper mache paste

• Oil a plate and spread the paste on it.Dry the plate/paste in the sun for a few days.You should have a nice,hard and solid plate at the end of the few days.Carefully peel the plate away.First paint the plate with a mixture of white paint and glue.This acts as a base coat.Once the base coat is dry,draw your design using a pencil and then paint it using acrylic paints.After it dries,you might want to cover the plate with a layer of varnish.This makes the plate shiny and long lasting.

• Cut out an alphabet preferably your in initials, out of cardboard.Spread the paste over it and let it dry.Once it is dry,paint it with the your favourite color,design etc and hang it on your door.

These are just basic ideas.Once you get the hang of it,you can go crazy and make anything!! 

Hope you have fun making paper mache.Do write down your views and comments down in the box.

Love

$hivangi and $adhika

save the earth

Environment

The earths wealth is rapidly exploited to the rising number of automobiles,industries,factories and due to population explosion.We all can work towards saving the earth with craft!!Sounds weird ,right? But no,

we can reuse materials,decorate stuff ,have fun and still save the environment.

BAGS 

We all know that polythene is harmful to the environment.So we all are advised to use cloth bags.often cloth bags are plain.You can decorate them and use them too.It looks really cool provided you don't make it messy or too cramped.

Skeleton bag

Skeleton bags are awesome and look really funky.You can use them while shopping for groceries or while trick-or-treating.It looks best if you paint a black bag with pearl white skeletons.

On this very bag,I have made skeletons with various expressions.(sad,happy,doubtful evil and with a broken jaw!)

Sun Bag

POSTERS

Posters are one of the most effective ways to grab attention.Make this Poster for World Forestry Day.

I have used a black sheet over which I have stuck brown/orange notebook wrapping paper(trunk) and green leaf cutouts.I have written captions and slogans using silver glitter pens.

Hers is an environment calendar.

2 FEB:                                                        WORLD WETLANDS DAY

21 MARCH:                                               WORLD FORESTRY DAY

22 MARCH:                                               WORLD WATER DAY

23 MARCH:                                               WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY

22 APRIL:                                                   EARTH DAY

5 JUNE:                                                      WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

11 JULY:                                                    WORLD POPULATION DAY

16 SEPTEMBER:                                       WORLD OZONE DAY

28 SEPTEMBER:                                       GREEN CONSUMER DAY

1 MONDAY OF OCTOBER:                   WORLD HABITAT DAY

4 OCTOBER:                                            WORLD ANIMAL DAY

1-7 OCTOBER:                                        WORLD WILDLIFE WEEK

13 OCTOBER:                                          INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION

BYE 

cards1

Hello!
Sorry for not being able to post anything for a long time as I (Shivangi) had exams.
Exams are over and I have loads to show/post.

Last days of school are fast approaching and its time to show our teachers appreciation.Instead of buying cards and gifting store bought gifts,give your teacher something which you have made.This adds a personal touch to your work.You can give the teachers something on the last  day of the session or on Teachers Appreciation Day(May 7,Tuesday,2013).

CARDS

I am going to show you how to make some cards which are unique and beautiful.

ROSE CARD
Rose cards are elegant and look really pretty.You can gift it to your teachers or to your loves ones on Valentines day.

To make a rose card you need:

• A4/A3 size card/ivory paper
• Black marker
• Crayons(oil pastels)/color pencil {I would suggest using oil pastels as you can blend the colors easily and shade it} 
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Scissors

Procedure 

1. Take your sheet and fold it in half.Draw your rose and make sure that one end of the rose is touching the folded end of the card.
2. Once you have finished drawing the rose,outline it with black marker
3. Color the rose with your preferred coloring medium.To shade it take three shades of the same color.
4. Start with the darkest and work your way out with the lightest.

Once done with your coloring,cut the rose out.Make sure the one end is still joined.After cutting, you should get a rose shaped card.Write your message inside and give it to someone.

Tips

It looks nice if you make the border of the rose thicker.

Notice that in a real rose also, the centre is darker compared to the outer petals.So color accordingly.

OWL CARD

In case you are looking for something easier to make, you can try making the owl card.It is cute and looks awesome.Once you get the hang of it,you can try the rose card.

 Sorry about the photo,my hand moved while clicking the photo!!

POSTERS

 BUTTERFLY POSTER

This poster is ideal for giving to your favourite teacher.Its looks really pretty and you can frame it too.

For this, I used color pencils to give a soft effect.

 As you can see there are two butterflies with a backdrop of flowers.Again I have made the borders thicker so the butterflies look beautiful.I really love this poster as it looks shop bought/ready made.

GANESH POSTER

For those of you who don't know,Ganesh is an Indian god. He is a symbol for luckiness and the  starting point of everything on this planet.(according to Hindu mythology)He is the elephant headed God.

This poster features an abstract Ganesh with his mouse. I have colored it using acrylic paints (golden,blue,red).

I have also added a few plastic diamonds to make it look like Tanjore paintings(paintings which are made using real gold and jewels)

I hope you liked my ideas.

QUOTATION OF THE DAY
Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges
Over which they invite their students to cross
Then having facilitated their crossing,jofully collapse
Encouraging them to create bridges of their own.