| To make a delightful paper mache Christmas dish | | | | You may be able to feel a trace of Vaseline on |
| all you need is… | | | | the paper mache, this will spoil any attempts to |
| Old newspapers, PVA glue, paints, scarps of | | | | paint the pot. To remedy this apply one layer of |
| Christmas wrapping paper, varnish and Vaseline. | | | | paper mache to the surface of the pot that was |
| How to do it… | | | | exposed tot he Vaseline. |
| Fist you need to find a nice dish or plate to use | | | | Tidy the edges of the pot by sticking small |
| as a mould. Be warned, a large dish or plate will | | | | rectangles of paper to over hang the edge of the |
| take longer to make. It may be a good idea to | | | | pot and stick them down on the reverse side. |
| start off smaller. Saucer sized is great for a | | | | Now you're ready to decorate the sweet or |
| starter mould. | | | | trinket dish. Here are a few suggestions… |
| Sometimes the underside of the dish or plate can | | | | Paint it a base colour and decorate the edges with |
| have a more interesting shape than the top | | | | drawn lines or draw some sprigs of holly. Find a |
| surface. Bear this in mind when choosing a mould. | | | | centre piece image to stick at the centre of the |
| Cover the surface that you want to use as a | | | | pot from old Christmas cards or gift wrapping |
| mould in Vaseline. This prevents you from simply | | | | paper. |
| sticking the newspaper to the plate. It will make it | | | | With gift-wrapping paper rip up small pieces and it |
| easier to lift the paper mache from the mould at | | | | apply it to your pot as if you were adding a layer |
| a later date. | | | | of paper mache. Add a line of glue around the |
| Mix some PVA glue with water. One part glue to | | | | edge of the pot and apply glitter to make it really |
| two parts water. Rip up small pieces of | | | | festive and sparkly. |
| newspaper and dunk them into the glue mix, and | | | | Of course the pot doesn't have to have a |
| apply them to the mould so that they overlap. | | | | Christmas them. You could paint it and stick |
| Cover the entire mould surface, allowing the | | | | pressed flowers or leaves onto it. |
| newspaper to over hang the mould, any excess | | | | Paint the pot a base colour and then ad blobs of |
| can be trimmed off later. After the initial layer | | | | paint to swirl around the pot to create an |
| you can use a rush to paste the newspaper on, | | | | abstract design. |
| it's a lot less messy. | | | | You could personalise your pot by writing on it |
| After completing three layers of newspaper allow | | | | 'For Gran' or 'Special Mum' |
| the paper mache to dry over night. In total the | | | | Let your design dry over night. |
| dish needs a minimum of about ten layers to | | | | Once you have decorated your pot, in whatever |
| complete this stage, again allow to dry over night. | | | | style you choose, It will need protecting. Apply a |
| Before you remove the paper mache from the | | | | thin layer of clear varnish to the pot. It will need |
| mould, use the mould as a guide and rim a neat | | | | varnishing on both sides, and will probably require |
| edge around your pot, cutting away the surplus | | | | 2 coats. You can get quick drying varnish that |
| over hanging paper. | | | | saves time, you can also get spray varnish which |
| Then you're ready to prize the paper mache | | | | wont smudge a painted design. |
| from the mould. It can help to run a knife | | | | And there you are a beautiful little dish for |
| between the paper mache and the mould. Be | | | | sweets or jewellery. A cost effective Christmas |
| careful and don't rush. | | | | gift idea. |