Yarn Ball Piñata Tutorial - DIY - How to Make a Pinata

-

Today we finish up our Cat Party series. We've already made a kitty litter cake and a black cat cheese ball, but to finish it out we are making a yarn ball piñata. I mean it's not a party until you have a pinata right? This fairly easy paper mache craft is an affordable alternative to store bought and can be a fun DIY project. Let's jump in!

How to make a pinata?

What you'll need

Newspapers or magazines - cut to 1/2 strips
Balloon or bowl (balloons are easier)
Water


  1. Cut newspaper or old magazines into 1" strips. Thicker magazines don't work as well. I would recommend either newspaper or thinner magazine pages (skip the covers for better workability). 
  2. Begin by inflating a balloon, or by choosing the bowl you plan to use. If using a bowl, cover with saran wrap to allow for easy removal. 
  3.  Mix flour paste. Combine water and flour to get a gravy-like texture or think pudding before it sets. Elmer's glue can be used in place of flour mixture. I would also recommend wearing gloves.
  4. Continue by soaking or covering strips in flour mixture. Scrap off excess flour mixture. Begin placing a single layer of paper on your balloon or bowl. Cover entire surface (leave gap for candy/treat addition after dried).
  5. Allow to dry, before continuing to add layers. After place 4-5 layers (if using bowls), remove from bowl and combing two sides to create ball. Continue layering paper (1-2 layers at a time), allowing ample drying time between layers for another 4-6 layers. If not allowed to dry, pinata will be soft and unable to hold shape. Leave a hole to add candy.

  6. Reinforce with string and cover with an addition 2-4 layers of paper mache. Leave excess string exposed to hang pinata.
  7. Once dry, add candy, treats or other trickets to pinata. Cover with extra layers of paper mache (and string- optional for extra strength). 
  8. Again, allow plenty of time to dry or use hair dryer to speed up. Be cautious with hair dryer as you can burn the pinata if you hold it too close on a hot setting.
  9. Paint to desired base color, wrap with crepe paper streamers or leave as newspaper.
  10. Wrap entire ball with yarn. If well wrapped, bottom covering isn't needed, however yarn will strengthen piñata so I would recommend covering and leaving yarn a bit looser. 







Embed

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thrifty Crafter: Natural Egg Dyes

-
Image
Spring has sprung and Easter is around the corner! Such a fun time, filled with bright colors, candy, family, and more. It can also be a scary food time -- candy filled with corn syrup and other artificial ingredients, eggs dyed with petroleum products, and thousands of empty calories to name a few issues. I can't stop you from overindulging on your ham dinner, but I can help out reducing some of the artificial ingredients you're putting at your table this year. Colored Easter eggs have long been a staple at Easter time, whether you hide them for a Easter Egg hunt or put them out as decoration. Coloring Easter eggs is also just plain fun! That is until you start looking at what is in that dye you are using. Yellow 5, Red 40, blue 2.... Does that sound like something your body can digest well? If you dig a bit deeper you find that these colors are actually petroleum based and are known carcinogens. Yet we use these on food we are feeding our families. This year you can
Read more

Removing Lipstick Stain After Drying Clothes

-
Image
We've all been there. You're pulling out a freshly dried load of laundry when you find that empty chapstick or lipstick. You're devastated that a whole load of clothes is potentially ruined. Fret no more. While this method of stain removal is not fail-proof, it does give you the opportunity to save your favorite khakis or blouse from even the worst of stains. This potentially saves you hundreds of dollars versus buying a new wardrobe to replace that which has been stained and saves you from taking your clothes to a professional. What You'll Need: Old Toothbrush Dish Soap Stain Remover Elbow Grease Begin by putting dish soap on each of the stains (grease spots).  Use the toothbrush to work the dish soap into the fabric on each spot. Soak your clothes overnight in hot water. Hot water helps to release the grease. Finally, spray your clothes with your favorite stain remover before throwing in the washing machine and runnin
Read more

Simple Slow Cooker Broccoli Rice Casserole

-
Image
Colder weather has arrived as have an abundance of school and work activities. The extra to-dos that come with fall make cooking a healthy and still budget meal much more challenging. Enter the crock pot or slow cooker. Slow cook meals can be both a time and wallet saver, not to mention the benefit of having home cooked meals most nights. Slow cookers allow you to set and forget and can work around everyone in the family's schedules. Scroll to the bottom for a printable recipe. What you'll need 1.5 Cup Rice 6 Cup Broccoli (Chopped) 1 Medium Onion 1 Can Cream Soup (Mushroom, Chicken, Celery, Your choice) 1.5 Cup Milk 3 Tbsp Margarine 3 Cups + soup can Water 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese (your choice of flavor - cheddar, colby jack, mozzarella) 6 Qt Slow Cooker Start by combining the ingredients except the shredded cheese in a 6 qt slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.  Add cheese and continue cooking until melted.  Printable to lette
Read more