Paper mache?

Wallpaper / Papier Mache Paste

* 1 1/2 cups white flour

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1 tbsp alum

* 1 cup cold water

* 2 cups boiling water

Combine flour and sugar. Slowly add cold water and beat/mix out any lumps. Put mixture in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the boiling water, and stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. When stiff, remove from heat and add alum. Store in air-tight container. Should keep several weeks. If the paste hardens, soften by mixing in small amounts of warm water as needed.

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You can use:

liquid starch - which does dry up more quickly than anything else. OR

Mix equal parts white glue (elmers or school glue) and water together - this works wonders as well.

I have also used wall paper paste - both ready mix and the one where you have fiddle around with the dry.

Good luck! I'm doing the same thing.. using all the above..

Extra Hardening Papier Mache Paste

• 1/2 cup wheat flour

• 1/4 cup powdered resin glue

• 1/2 cup warm water

• 1 1/2 cups hot water

• 4 drops oil of cinnamon

Mix flour and resin glue together in a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup warm water and mix to a paste. Add hot water, stirring vigorously to prevent lumps. Cook mixture over a low heat, stirring constantly, until it's thick, and clear. Add oil of cinnamon. Store in tightly covered jar. Will keep for a few days.

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To make Paper Mache just add flour and water together in a bowl.

1 cup water

1/4 cup flour

5 cups lightly boiling water

Mix flour into one cup water until mixture is thin and runny, stir into boiling water. Slowly boil and stir for 3 minutes. Make sure you let it cool before using.

Take your newspaper after you have torn it into strips, then dip it in the mixture and smooth it on with more of the mixture. I found that using balloons taped together or thin boxes will help you to have the inside hollow. You can use just about anything, depending upon what shape you want. Remeber its only flour and water and will clean up easily. If you use balloons, just leave a small opening, pop the balloon when object is dry then you can pull the balloon out easily. Make sure your pinata is completely dry before painting, because it may crush easily.

Have fun and enjoy your Christmas!!

We have fewer and fewer newspapers every year because their habitat is being lost at a never before seen rate. It's kind of like wearing real fur, since the newspapers are all disappearing and there are Michael's Craft Supply stores all over the place paper mache has become less and less popular. Why slaughter newspapers for school projects with all the new and improved craft ideas and materials that don't involve newspaper slaughter or any work or creativity at all are readily available for three times the price? I would rather do craft projects naked than slaughter news papers to make ugly pinatas.

1. Put two cups of hot water in the large bowl.

2. Add two generous cups of white flour.

3. Mix thoroughly until there are no lumps.

4. Tear newspaper into narrow strips.

5. Dip strips into the paste mixture, being careful that all sides are coated.

6. Paste the strips, overlapping each other, onto a form such as a balloon or a box, using several layers.

Tips:

1. You can create forms from aluminum foil or use plastic soft drink bottles, balloons, cardboard boxes... let your imagine rule this one. You can also use glass or ceramic objects like bowls or plates to mold the mache, then remove it when dry.