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Papier mache. Make your own Papier mache

A good holiday pastime for the children and suitable for original gifts.

To make enough papier mache� for 1 small bowl

• 8 tablespoons flour
• 1 pint/150ml water
• Newspaper strips about 1 in/38mm wide

Mix the flour and water together in a medium-size bowl, it should be the consistency of thick glue. If a thicker mixture is desired, add more flour. Dip the paper strips into the paste one at a time and gently pull them through your fingers to remove any excess. Then apply to the surface you want to cover (clay, milk cartons, balloons, bottles or any disposable container make a good base). Repeat until well covered.

When dry, decorate the paper surface with poster paint. For a longer-lasting and harder surface, coat with shellac after the paint dries.

Mash variation Make a mash out of newspaper rather than using strips. Soak pieces in water overnight and then boil, stirring to make a pulp. Cool, strain off any liquid and add 2 tablespoons each of glue and wallpaper paste.