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Papier Mache & other free hobbies for all ages
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Frugaldom
Forumite 6.5K posts
Welcome to the papier mache & other free hobbies fan club :beer:
Hobbies for kids and adults can cost a fortune. Save your cash, get a free hobby that the whole family can enjoy.
As a DFW I have also been a great fan of recycling and that doesn't always mean separating green, clear and brown glass or putting your old papers in the appropriate bins.
As you'll see from the above, several of us on here have already started by making sealed pots and banks for 2008.
EASY PAPER MACHE ANIMAL BANK RECIPE - NOT TOXIC
1 inflated balloon
egg carton or similar for snouts/noses/feet
scrap paper for ears, tails etc
paint for decorating - emulsion, poster paints etc
(or use coloured paper on final layer of paper mache.)
1 cup flour
3 cups water
shredded newspapers/magazines/old bank statements or bills (once you pay them)
mix 1 cup water with one cup plain flour into a thick paste
boil other 2 cups of water then stir in the above
simmer for a few minutes, keep stirring (like making sauce)
cool the paste before dipping the paper and sticking it to the balloon
allow your creation to dry before painting it
pierce top to burst the balloon and cut the slot for feeding in the money
EASY SALT DOUGH RECIPE - NON TOXIC
2 cups plain flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Mix the above into dough, knead on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes before using, then create your masterpieces.
Drying before painting and varnishing can take a couple of days, or you can dry them out in the oven at a low temperature just like baking biscuits.
Feel free to join in with your papier mache suggestions and other free or recycling crafts and hobbies. :j
I reserve the right NOT to spend:
The less I spend, the more I can afford!
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Replies
After every christmas I steal other family members cards so I can take the pretty stickers etc for my homemade cards for the next year. I also steal the ribbons etc off christmas crackers!!!
Old tissue paper - crush it into little balls and stick it all over your paper mache snowman. How do you think we get that nice bobbly snowball effect? :rotfl:
Thanks for posting here. Maybe it will prove to be a handy thread as finding hobbies and activities to amuse children during school holidays always costs a fortune, even without counting in the cost of an actual 'go away for a fortnight' holiday
Thanks NYKMedia - I have turned Pete the Penguin round by the way but I can;t work out how to upload it again.!!!
:rotfl: :rotfl:
LOL You just picked up the wrong link... here's Pete for you... no it's not, I lost him!!! ROFL Trying again....
bored of giving just a box of sweets? make a paper mache basket. Use a ballon but only half cover it. When dry trim it into a basket shape. Add a handle (either ribbon or platted paper) line with tissue paper and then fill with sweets. Because these are being placed in loose you could get cheap one for lidl/aldi too
I'm not that pleased with it, but I will paint it andd see how it looks. I might make another while we're off school
I never thought of half baskets but I did do easter egg shapes by cutting the completed paper mache balloon in half and my sister makes brilliant pinatas
I love knitting & while I was paying off my debts I got through my very large wool stash
Other free hobbies I can think of using recycled items are making rag rugs, cardmaking & origami, will try & think of some more, would like to try cardmaking too.
Nyk, do you know how your sister makes pinatas please, it sounds interesting, thanks for starting this thread
your wish is my comand ~ linky daily mail ~ linky a blog