Happy Sunday! Here is a
great craft afternoon idea and made from items around the house! I was looking
around for a money box everywhere and planning to paint one, and then it
occurred to me that I could just make one from scratch.
As we're saving for a new
home (I've now decided this money box is actually for a treat in our new
home..) a house shape was apt, but if you are saving for anything else, you can
always get creative and think of a new shape. If you are travelling the
world, make one in the shape of a country you can’t wait to visit, if you
are just generally saving, simply make one in the shape of a pound or dollar
sign. But the best part is this idea is so CHEAP! It’s also very secure so
it can't be pried open easily.
If you are interested in creating one yourself, below are a few step by
step photos, showing the different stages.
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You will need
Cardboard – I used the
backing from a A3 notepad, you can also use a cereal or cardboard box
Tape – any tape will do as
it is going to be covered
Scissors &
Scalpel/cutting mat
Flour
Water
Newspaper
Bowl & Spoon
Stage One -
Draw and cut out your first shape for the front of the house money
box, then use this as a template for the back of the box. Secondly to make the
sides, use the scraps of card remaining and cut long strips to the width you
would like – the money box can be as wide or shallow as you like, the walls on
mine were about 45mm.
I then placed the long strips of card
next to the front panel, and cut the walls to the same length of both the roof
and the side of the house. I must confess that when I make something it is all
by eye, but you are welcome to measure and match the sides perfectly!
Remember to add the slot for the
money to go in, once your shape is taking place it’s easier to see where to add
the slot. I added mine to the top of the roof – I somehow forgot to do this in
the first stage and had to go back and add it in! Oops.
Stage Two -
Now that you have all of the shapes
for house, we need to stick everything together. Try and secure the house as
best you can, there can never be too much tape, inside or out, as this will all
be covered by paper mache.
Firstly, lay all of the shapes flat
and tape the edges to each other. It’s best to leave a gap the thickness of the card, around 4mm, so
when the time comes move the card to a 90 degree angle
it doesn’t break or come away. One by one, hold up each wall and fix this to
the inside of the box, the walls should now stand on their own, as they will be
secured on both sides.
Lastly, fix the back of the box to the walls;
make it as secure as possible. And most importantly, add the base to the box.
This should be done in exactly the same way as the other walls. Make sure it is
very secure as the weight of the money will eventually add up!
Stage Three -
Now the best part!
Your box should be standing on its own, quite stable and ready to be
covered.
At school we were
taught that paper mache consisted of glue and water, but it can also be made of
plain flour and water. This is by far a cheaper alternative, and can usually be
found in a cupboard. Add the plain flour
to a bowl and slowly add small amounts of water, mixing as you go along. The mixture
is one part flour to two parts water, with no lumps.
Tear a mixture of long
and short strips of paper and have these ready. When you are submerging the
paper in the flour and water mixture, its best to dunk the whole piece of newspaper
and then wipe the excess on the side of the bowl. This ensures that all of the
paper is covered and therefore it will be stronger when it dries.
Beware, this is quite a messy
process and your hands get absolutely plastered..!
Stage Four -
Voila! You have a
finished paper mache box ready to be painted. I painted all of mine white with
an acrylic paint, and then added the new home within the wreath and some small dotted
details to the roof.
Enjoy making yours! ♥
