Papier-Mache Bowls

Last week was the girls Winter break from school.  We did some travelling and visiting and the week went by way too fast but we did find some time for some crafting.  We decided to make some papier-mache bowls.  I got the idea from the book Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule which I had out from the library.  First we found some bowls to use as molds and cut some newspaper into strips.  We made our own papier-mache paste by cooking together 1/2 cup of flour, 2 1/2 cups water, and 1  tablespoon of salt together until it formed a glue like paste.  Then we painted one side of the newspaper strips with the paste and placed them on the bowls. (Oh yes, cover the bowl you are using as a mold with plastic wrap or tinfoil so that your papier-mache does not stick to the bowl.)

Star painting a paper strip with paste.

Sky applying a a paper strip to her bowl.

We continued applying paper strips to the bowls throughout the day until we had about 4 layers on.  We finished with a layer of scrap white computer paper.  Then we let the bowls dry thoroughly.  (This can take a few days so luckily we had to go to MJ for eye appointments one day.  So far neither girl needs glasses, yeah!)  Once dry you can decorate them to your heart's content.  We painted them.

Star and Sky painting their bowls.

Our finished bowls.

And since Lent started last week we made these easy one decade rosaries (from Catholic Icing).  They are kept in one of the bowls we made. During lent we are trying to say one decade of the rosary each night.