Still Feeling Crafty

This week at Sparks we're celebrating birthdays around the world. One of the things we're doing is having a pinata.

Now, we could buy a pinata - that's what we did last year - but I wanted to make one. I figured it might be easier to break (since the bought ones are made of cardboard), and it would certainly be cheaper - if you didn't factor in labour costs.

I started by blowing up a big balloon and a small balloon. I taped half a plastic cup to the small balloon.

I mixed up a cup of flour with 3/4 cup of water and cut strips of newspaper. I soaked the newspaper in the glue mixture, squeezed it between my fingers, and then covered the balloons in the paper.

I let it dry for a day, then added another layer.


Once that was dry, I cut a hole in both pieces, then popped the balloons. I filled the pinata with the treats and taped the two pieces together.

I cut slits in the top and put paper clips in them (so that there is somewhere to attach the rope).

I then added another layer of white paper, paying special attention to the neck and the slits with the paper clips - both of those areas got two layers of paper to glue them together.

When that was dry, I covered it in tissue paper. You can't tell very well from the picture, but it's supposed to be a bird. It's not perfect, but ... it has been specifically created to be hit with sticks, so I'm not going to worry about it. (For future reference, buying a pinata for $10 is totally a bargain - this probably took 3 or 4 hours in total.)

I also made the second of my three sock monkeys. I made the tail on this one half the width (but twice the length) of the other one. Instead of stuffing it with fiber fill, I used a pipe cleaner, so it is somewhat pose-able. Also, note the scary face.

Now, of course, I want to change the tail on the other one.

I've also started watching the Olympics (which I never do). I blame Wanda. I've become unusually interested in the biathalon as well as moguls. Forty eight hours ago, I didn't know what the mogul event was.

Luckily, watching the Olympics goes well with hand-sewing sock monkeys.