Tuesday, October 9, 2012

How To-zday: Project Mantel 2

Back to Project Mantel, woot!  Today I'm going to show you how I did my paper-mache skull & the feather/leaf/paper bouquet for the cute owl vase Thing 1 bought me~*

 

First, the skull-- easy-peasy.  You need:
  1. A paper-mache skull {technically a paper-mache anything}.  I picked ours up at Michaels for .99 {yay me!}.  
  2. An old book cut or torn into small pieces.  We like to pick up damaged texts at thrift stores/junk shops for just this sort of occasion.
  3. Mod Podge...or white glue...or paste {flour & water}...sticky stuff, in other words.
The rest is purdy obvious~*






I cut the pages with my paper cutter, but ended up having Jer & Thing 3 help tear the pieces instead-- the rough edges just looked better.  I also couldn't resist plastering a chapter title across the skull's forehead.  It was a book of fairy tales, & the chapter was Why the Fish Laughed.  I don't know, it amused me.

Now on to the bouquet.
  1. A leaf pattern in 3 sizes.  I just drew a really, really basic shape because I was using patterned paper.  The end result was somewhere between leaf & feather. I like it.
  2. Scrapbook paper {I had a ton laying around the house in autumn-y colors}.  Construction paper, or even felt would work
  3. Florist wire.  I got white because I was going to use it for another project too, but it comes in other colors.
  4. Raffia covered wire.  This wire is too bulky to use for the leaves/feathers themselves {and it is considerably more expensive}.  I ended up using it to firm up the "stems," but mostly its needed to make twirly branch things...you'll see what I mean
  5. Glue.  I used Tacky glue because it dries fast.  You could use hot glue, but it would burn your fingers~*














And here is the finished mantel, complete with fire in the fireplace!


Next week I"ll show y'all how to make a stuffed pumpkin {which you can see clearer in the pic above this one} & Jebediah Soultree aka the owl pillow {whooooo-t...see what I did there?}!

12 comments:

  1. I love it! I especially love the newspaper skull- so creative and cool. I wish I was more crafty- there's seriously some awesome stuff you can create. Such a fun, fall atmosphere in your home! I just found your blog and have enjoyed getting to know you better. I'm excited to follow along.

    new follower :)
    Bonnie
    bonnielouisa.blogspot.com

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  2. Very cool projects, and lovely mantel overall! You amaze me...how do you do it all? I hope you don't mind I used your mountain photo on my blog bug post. Joann

    http://womaninreallife.blogspot.ca/2012/10/i-got-bitten-by-blog-bug.html#more

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  3. Great idea! Love the pictures! Greetings from Munich!

    Vanessa - PureGlam.tv

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  4. Such a talented Lady! Still working on my wreath of leaves (totally pinched your idea), I'll post and link to you when it's done.Rx

    http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. So pretty and festive! I love paper mache and haven't done it in ages. you are such an expert crafter :)

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  6. oooooh that paper bouquet is SO cute! This would be great to do for any season too. :)
    Trish

    www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com

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  7. Looks so great!! Thanks for sharing your fun projects :)

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  8. Wow that newspaper vine is so cool!

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

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  9. Your mantle is awesome. I haven't had a mantel in years and I hate that!! Love it all.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! It is most appreciated~*