Category: Gift it

Plaster Cast Catch-All

Father's Day Crafts Gifts to Make

 
 
Total Time Needed:
Weekend Project

This casting project from familyfun.go.com may take a day or two to complete, but the end product — a pretty holder for jewelry, coins or other collectibles — will make a lasting impression on whomever your child bestows it.

 
Materials
  • An apple, a small acorn squash or an old baseball
  • 2 to 3 10-inch wooden kabob sticks
  • Plastic bucket for mixing
  • Paint stirrer
  • 2 lbs of plaster of Paris
  • Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
 

Instructions
  1. First, prepare the mold by trimming the sides of the carton or tub so that they are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall.
  2. Cast Catchalls - Step 2 Next, partially insert the kabob sticks into the center of the object you plan to cast, evenly spacing them around the circumference (with hard objects, you may have to hammer starter holes with a small nail). Rub Vaseline on the portion of the apple or squash that will be submerged in plaster (skip this step if you’re using a baseball). Then rest the skewers on the sides of the mold.
  3. Use the bucket and stirrer to mix the plaster according to the package directions. Slowly pour the mixture between the object and the carton walls until one third of the object is submerged (no more, or the object will be hard to remove later). Gently tap the mold on a table to release air bubbles.
  4. After one hour, lift the object from the plaster. Carefully remove the mold and let the casting cure completely (about 24 hours). Then prime the plaster with shellac or spray matte, let it dry and the casting is ready to paint. For the best effect, use a contrasting color to accent the hollowed portion. Or sponge a darker hue on the top and sides once the base coat dries.

Queen For A Day Throne

Dress up a dining room chair for Mom on Mother’s Day. This inexpensive, stylish idea comes from crafts.kaboose.com

What you’ll need:

  • Standard white pillowcase
  • 4 brown paper grocery bags
  • White craft glue
  • Scissors
  • 2 spools of colorful ribbon (we used purple and yellow)
  • Sequins in a variety of colors
  • Pencil
  • Gold paint pen
  • Colorful craft jewels
  • Colorful pom-poms
  • Pink and silver glitter glue
  • Pattern

How to make it:

  1. Start with an ironed pillowcase. Insert the four paper bags inside the pillowcase. This will keep the glue from seeping through the fabric and sticking to the other side.  (See photo.)
  2. Print out the pattern. Cut out the crown and position in the middle of the pillowcase.
  3. Using your favorite font, print out the word”QUEEN” in big letters and place it above the crown. (See photo.) Then cut out each letter individually and place back onto the pillowcase.
  4. Pipe white craft glue around each letter and remove the patterns. Place sequins on the glue. (See photos 1, 2, 3.)
  5. Use a pencil to trace around the crown pattern. Remove pattern and trace pencil markings with gold paint pen. (See photo.)
  6. Decorate the crown using pom-poms, and glitter glue to write “MOM”. Outline the crown with silver glitter glue.
  7. Line the outer edges of the pillowcase using pink and yellow ribbon, adhering with white craft glue. Decorate corner by tying a couple of bows and gluing them in place. Glue another bow toward the bottom of the case, under the crown. Glue craft jewels in the bottom corners to cover up the ends of the ribbons.
  8. Decorate the bottom border of the pillowcase using colorful craft jewels. Glue smaller craft jewels in a line between the word “QUEEN” and the crown. (See photo.)
  9. Allow everything to dry completely before removing the paper bags. Place pillowcase over the back of Mom’s chair.

Tips:

  1. White craft glue will wash out, and there are far too many attachments on this project to run the risk of washing it – for more durability use fabric glue and hand wash the case.
  2. Carefully fold the pillowcase and store in a zipper storage bag until next year.
  3. Sequins can be purchased by color or in variety packs.