The Papier Mache Pig.

I remember years ago in elementary school learning how to do Papier Mache. This was very exciting for me at this time of my life, so as all good mothers do, I tried to resurrect the past by doing it with my kids. My daughter who is still in elementary school loves playing around in the kitchen, so the paste was the ideal craft since it was an interesting recipe for her to create and play around with. Plus there are so many things that you can make with papier mache, like fruit, animals,  paintings and a myriad of other things. As you well know papier mache is extremely messy, but hey, the messier the better. Plus, cleaning up is always another fun activity to do with your kids. Right?

I always enjoyed making a piggy so this is the way I learned to make it below.

The Papier Mache Pig

Papier Mache Paste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cold water
3 tablespoons of sugar
a saucepan


Supplies

White paper towels/newspaper
Acrylic paint and brushe
An empty egg crate
A balloon
A few pink pipe cleaners
Glue


Mix1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl. Combine this mixture in a saucepan with 2 cups boiling water and bring it to a boil. Move the saucepan from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar. Let it cool; it will get thick while cooling. When it does, it's ready to use.


Blow up the balloon then spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Paint the papier mache paste all over the balloon
Put strips paper towel all over the starch - Let dry.
Repeat this procedure for about three times.
When you get the paper completely dried, pop the balloon and take it out.
You now have a balloon covered paper structure, which represents the body of the pig.

Cut out four legs and a nose (snout) using the legs of an egg crate container.
The legs of the egg container looks like a snout but can also be used for the pig's legs also.
The dried covered balloon is the round body of the pig.
Stick the four legs and the snout with glue then cover with strips of papier mache.

After your project dries after 2 days or so, paint the body, the eyes and the nostrils
Use a pipe cleaner for the tail.
Be creative, if you get the idea once and you get the basic shape, there's a lot you can do with your project.

 Don't forget to clean up the work space. My kitchen is always in a big mess after involving my kids with any type of project that involves some kind of cooking. When challenged, Clorox always has good cleaning products. The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are my favorite. The containers always make a good template for a papier mache vase project.




“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox Clean-Up Recipes for Fun blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on this program, click here and see the Terms link.” (make sure you link to http://recipesforfun.socialmoms.com)

TILEX SWEEPSTAKES: "Cancel the Moldshow in Your Bathroom"

 I remember growing up at home as teenagers. There were times when everyone had to do their fair share of chores and responsibilities around the house. With five of siblings, from time to time it revolved to my turn for bathroom cleaning. I shared a bathroom with two brothers, the cat, and a few other occupants that had been around since the beginning of civilization. So with humans, animals,  fungi and bacteria, we all figured out a way to live together; and at least once a week I would have to scrub or evict colonies of mold, bacteria and other mysterious entities, so that we could live under sanitary conditions (or so exclaimed my mother.)

 Now, a couple years into the bathroom cleaning adventures, I use a few strategies of prevention to keep the bathroom environment mold free and my bathroom fresh and constantly clean.


1. We all know that moisture is the main reason for a mold growing in the environment so try to keep the bathroom ventilated every day. Open the bathroom window so that the air can circulate and dry the moisture, and if there are no windows in the bathroom, make sure to keep the ventilation fan on at least a few minutes after showering.

2. Keep a cleaning wash rag or sponge in the bathroom so at night after everyone takes a shower the last person can use a spray bottle with part water, lemon and baking soda to wipe off excess water on the shower tiles. Use this spray formula on the wall before removing the excess water. The walls will dry quickly and mold will cease growing overnight.


3. It is important always to mop and remove excess water from the bathroom floor and especially the corners where water can get trapped sometimes. Remember, less moisture will prevent mold growth.


4. Every now and then, carefully place some scented candles in the bathroom. The scented candles in a bottle are safe. Nothing keeps the moisture out like the good old fashion warmth from the scented candle. Plus it keeps your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.


Remember that once you keep the moisture out, mold is likely to take up residence elsewhere.


The professionals in removing mold Tilex  has introduced it's new mold fighter, Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover .  Visit the Tilex "Cancel the Mold Show In Your Bathroom" Sweepstakes on Facebook  and enter to win for  cool prizes such as flat screen TV's and Netflix subscriptions.
Deadline Date:  03/16/2012.

Tilex on facebook.


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tilex blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://tilex.socialmoms.com/)