Family Fun - Winter Crafts

Portly Penguin

Total Time Needed: Afternoon or Evening Image example courtesy of familyfun.go.com

Materials:

12-inch balloon
Plaster cloth (such as 2 packages of Activa Rigid Wrap) cut into 6-inch strips
Scissors
Shallow pan of warm water
Bowl
Aluminum foil
Masking tape
Acrylic paints and brushes
Craft foam and stapler or foam tape (for variations)


Instructions:

PLASTER CLOTH BASICS

Pick your wrap: Plaster cloth, sold at most craft supply stores, is manufactured by a number of companies and comes in different-size rolls. For these projects, Activa Rigid Wrap brand; two 4- by 180-inch rolls make one 12-inch plaster pal (one roll per package, $6; dickblick.com).

Cover the work surface: Use a disposable tablecloth to protect your work station (consider setting up outside on a picnic table) and have kids wear washable clothing. The plaster dissolves in water and washes out easily, but it can be quite messy.
Choose your base: Balloons and aluminum foil work well as the base materials for our plaster projects, but you can also use cardboard, plastic cartons, Styrofoam balls, and other sturdy craft materials.
Protect the plaster: Avoid splashing water on the unused plaster cloth. Any drips will harden permanently and won't smooth out.
Let it dry: Drying times vary greatly depending on temperature, humidity, and the number of layers of cloth. To speed up the process, you can follow the package directions for using a microwave or a conventional oven, or place the project in a sunny spot.
*Instead of adding a plaster beak, simply paint one on after the plaster is completely dry.

*Instead of curling the tips of the wings (as in step 4), curl the penguin's wings in the middle, close to the body.

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