16 December, 2006

snow people

You start with some paper pulp. Fortunately we have MASSES of paper left from the last move. Rip the paper into roughly an inch sized square, soak it in hot water for at least 2 hours. Blend small amounts of ripped paper with lots of water and then strain and squeeze well to make a fairly dry pulp.


Mix the pulp with lots of PVA glue (Elmers) by hand until it gets to just the right consistency (you'll feel it; kind of goes fluffy).

Then take a glass bottle (old wine bottles work well) and clump on the pulp shaping it how you wish. The best way to do this is to do the body first, let it dry for a day or so and then do the head, but with kids they want to do it all at once. The head tends to fall a bit, so as it dries you have to keep shaping it. Don't smooth the pulp too much as the bumpiness looks more like snow.

Kit wanted his to have a very long neck, so he changed the shape from the one he's working on.

When the shaping is more or less complete, you have to leave them to dry for a number of days. I realised after I took this photo that I needed something under them to be able to move them, so I put some CD sized cardboard under them.

Once they are dry paint them white all over. And once that is dry give them to the kids to decorate. Once that's dry it's good to give them a coat of clear varnish or at least another coat of PVA to seal them.

And TA DA! A little family of snow people
















The two with the orange mouths and long scarves were made by Oscar and Remi 4 or 5 years ago. I must say, looking at them now, that I probably interfered alot and directed them, where as with Kit and Ella I just let them go for it (both of them have trousers!). The one in the middle I made...I was going to let Remi paint another one, but he didn't want to, so I had a go, and it was fun!

The two original snow men have come out on our front door step every winter and I love having them around. Like little gnomes. And now we have a little family sitting outside the door. I hope you enjoy them!

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:37 PM

    They are gorgeous and very happy looking. I presume yours is the one with the neat buttons George?

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  2. Anonymous10:03 PM

    Awww, good job boys on your performances, wish I had my flute and some music so we could play some duets when I come. And the snowmen look so cool on the porch. Any real snow yet? It's been 65 here most days...we are all amazed at the weather!

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