Paper Mache Birds

I guess I have a bird theme going here.


These are some cute paper mache birds we made recently.

They have wire feet which allow you to clamp them on an edge like a flowerpot or piece of driftwood or have them free standing.










MATERIALS REQUIRED:
- newspaper
- tape
- paper towel
-  reg. white school and/or tacky glue
- water and recycled container
- thin cardboard from a cereal box
- wax paper
- acrylic or tempera paint
- fine markers
- sealer like Mod Podge (optional)
- med. gauge wire
- embroidery thread or yarn

Take a quarter sheet of newspaper and crush into a pear shape.

Tape into place.  You can twist out a beak shape, click on this photo to enlarge to see this.

Cut some paper towel into strips about 1/2 an inch wide or so.  Pour some white school glue into a recycled container and add water in a 1 to 1 ratio. Mix well. Dip the strips into the glue mixture and start covering your bird.

With paper mache you want to overlap your strips for strength and smooth them down as you go.  Use a few dry strips to soak up excess glue.  That way your bird will take less time to dry you just want it moist not sopping.

Leave to dry in a warm place overnight...turn once to ensure even drying.


Out of thin cardboard from a cereal or cracker box cut out a wing shape...I used a teardrop shape.  Cut out a tail shape as well.

Take the cardboard shapes and cover in a coat of paper mache.

Once they are covered attach to the bird with overlapping strips.  While the shapes are moist you can curl your wings if you wish.

Leave to dry.

Paint with acrylic or tempera.









We used a basecoat first and then added additional color on top.

For the feather and eye detail you can either paint it in with a fine paintbrush or use fine sharpies after the paint has dried.

Younger kids to better with the markers.

If you want a shiny coat you can add a coat of mod podge but you might want to wait until after you add the legs.  This way it can stand up while drying.

To make the feet take piece of wire about 16 inches or so.  I don't what gauge this wire is as the label was missing but it's soft enough to bend with your fingers but firm enough to hold the shape without collapsing.

Make a foot shape with 4 toes and then twist the 2 ends of the wire together to form the leg.

Trim them down and bend in the knees.  Remember a bird's knee bends backwards. (Well not really it just seems that way, it really is the ankle but their foot is elongated so it looks like the knee)

I like the look of the silver foot but I wanted to add some color to the legs so we wrapped them with embroidery thread.  You could also use yarn.  Take the end of the thread and loosely wrap from the top of the leg down, double back and wrap tightly now.

When you reach the top knot off.

Using an awl or a knitting needle punch holes for the legs.

Put some tacky glue on them.

Push the leg thru the glue into the hole (remember the knees are backwards).

Add some more glue if needed.

Let dry. 

Here is the one my 7yr old made.

That's it.They look pretty realistic once the legs are on.

For those of you wondering where all the links went from my sidebar I finally had time to compile some pages and they are available at the top under my banner.

I now see all the gaps I need to fill so I hope to add many more lessons/projects.

Paint and Embroidery Pillow

I've spent my Labor Day Weekend prepping my daughter's room for its remodel, cleaning up my studio(no easy task), and finishing up this guy.

I had taken a piece of canvas and painted my bird, a Bluethroat, with acrylic paint following the directions I have already outlined in this post.

Once dry you can embroidery at your leisure.  I do mine sans hoop as the canvas is heavy and doesn't move around a lot.

After contemplating it a bit I decided to make a pillow but needed to make it larger so I added some strips of fabric with the machine.

I then mitered my corners....haven't done this for ages so they're not perfect and my canvas wasn't square to begin with but they're passable.

and that's it......... a new addition to the living room.

I have also been enjoying these which I scored at the Paris news stands.

I have been a long admirer of the blog but wasn't ready to take the plunge of a very expensive subscription until I examined them hands on......I signed up the day I got back!

Lots of projects on the go so hope to see you again soon.
Take care.

More Paris

Well I'm back from Paris after a whirlwind 10 days. Still struggling with jet lag and trying to get organized for school which starts in 3 days.

It's hard to belive so much history, culture, architecture, and art can be contained in one city.....truly inspiring.
If you bear with me I just have to post a few more pictures......

Here is the main gate to Versailles. Originally a hunting lodge for the King it became the main palace for Louis the 14th.  Please feel free to click on the photos to see larger.

Inside you once again find yourself staring at ceilings......

Here is a portrait of Marie-Atoinette who was married to Louis the 16th.

This is the famous Hall of Mirrors 70 metres long with an amazing ceiling and mulitplie works of art.

The treaty of Versailles was ratified here in 1919 ending World War 1.

Here is a gallerie at the Grand Trianon or the summer palace which is in walking distance of the main palace.

Here is my photo of the Louvre back at the old palace in the Tuileries quarter.

Here is the "Wedding Feast at Cana" by Polo Caliari or Veronese which is in the same room as Mona but tends to get overlooked.  Veronese packed 130 life sized figures onto this 7x10 metre canvas. I loved the cat in the bottom right hand corner.

Another favorite is Coronation of Josephine by Jacques-Louis David.  Another 6x10 metre canvas that you need to see to appreciate.

 and a view of the Arc de Triomphe from the street.
That's it for now.  My husband has the bulk of the photos but he is still in Europe.  My head is buzzing with ways I can incorporate everything I saw into new projects. Thanks for suffering thru the vacation photos and I hope to have new tutorials up shortly.

P.S. sorry for all the spam in the comments section but it seems I have been targeted by some unscrupulous vendors........I'll try to keep a handle on it. They are just so annoying...I'm averaging about 8 a day.
See you soon!

Bonjour!

Well I'm here in Paris having an amazing time.  Despite my jet lag I have been pounding the pavement the last few days trying to take everything in.   Everywhere you turn there is something awe inspiring.  I just want to paint every street scene.

Here is Notre-Dame.

With incredible it's incredible facade.  This is part of the Portac of St. Anne as you are walking in the door.

Once you are inside there is stained glass at every turn capturing your attention.

  I made my first trip to the Louvre yesterday.  I was there when it opened and ran to the Grande Gallerie with everyone else to get my 10 seconds with "Mona".  I could then relax and take in and contemplate all the other work that fills the Denon wing.

Like Ghirlandaio's "Portrait of an Old Man and a Boy"

and Caravaggio's "The Fortune Teller".

The "Venus de Milo" did not disappoint.

The ceilings were absolutely breathtaking and more elaborate as you went on.

I can't wait to see Versailles tomorrow.


I'll try to post more photos when I get a chance...the Wi Fi is pricey and a bit tempermental.

See you soon. 
Gail

An Adventure in Paris

Well I am off to Paris tomorrow where I plan on spending lots of time here at the Louvre as well as Orsay, the  Musee Orangerie, the Musee Rodin etc, etc,......

This is my first visit so I am very excited to immerse myself into all this culture and history. As well as a chance to try out my rusty French.

I plan to blog along to keep my family up to date so if you are interested you can tag along.

Au revoir and I'll see you soon!