Paper Mache Ornaments

Materials

1. Flour
2. Water
3. News Paper
4. Heavey Cardboard
5. Acrylic Paint
6. Sealer
7. Hot Glue
8. Ribbon
9. Brushes
10. Pencil or Chalk

Instructions

1. Print up one or two copies of the ornament pattern page. Cut out the ornaments you want to use, and then trace them out on the cardboard. Now cut out the cardboard shapes and shred the newspaper into 1/4 inch strips. (You don't need to be exact.)

**If you don't think you can draw these out by hand, print up an extra sheet of the patterns and rub colored chalk into the back. You can then use it to transfer your design by tracing over the lines.**

2. Mix 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour until it forms a thick paste (it should be similar to pancake batter), if it seems too thick or thin add flour or water as needed.

3. Dip a piece of paper into the flour mixture, pull it out and scrape off the excess goop. Use your fingers to spread the paper onto the first of the cardboard shapes (this is a nice and messy craft). Repeat the process until the entire shape is covered in paper strips. Cover all shapes in this manner, then allow them to dry over night.

4. Using the same method as in step 3, give the shapes a second coat. Allow them to dry overnight.

5. Draw the designs onto the proper shapes (using the chalk page to transfer them). Paint them the colors you'd like with the acrylic paint. Allow them to dry (once again) overnight.

6.Coat the finished ornaments in sealer, when they are dry use a glue gun to stick a loop of ribbon to the back of each ornament as a hanger.

Thats all there is to it. If you would rather work with wood than in paper, trace the shapes out in wood and have an adult cut them out. Sand the edges then finish them in the same manner as step 5.