Writing Tips for 2018 ~ What to do with that stack of paper?

Writing Tips for 2018

What to do with that stack of paper?

BLOG SESSION

January 8th, 2018

Good Evening Poets, Writers, Artists, Blog Readers, Followers & Visitors ~ We are back here for another great Blog Session that is focused on great writing tips for 2018.  I'm sure there may be times when you have stacks of paper that you may have to sort through to decide what to do with them.  Some of us are very neat, so we keep on top of our stacks of paper.  But then, there are others of us who let papers pile up, and then at the end of the year we are looking at those stacks of papers, including newspapers & magazines with bewildered looks on our faces.

Well, fear not ~ I have a great idea to share with you all!

Let's start with the larger items:  Newspapers & Magazines

Newspaper Stack

Magazine Collection

What exactly can you do with your Newspaper stack and your Magazine Collection?  Most Writers are creative individuals, and plenty of Writers are also Artists at heart, so here are some of the things that you can do if you are a creative writer who looks forward to stepping into the inspiration zone . . .

1)     Make Artwork ~ Create Collages;

2)    Decorate your Journals & Diaries both inside & out;

3)    Use images from Magazines & Newspapers to be the

         lead-offs to short stories, poems, and Articles;

4)    Apply images from newspapers and magazines to your 

         peg board as reminders of what you are aiming for in 

         2018; and why not try . . .

5)    Creating paper mache items . . .

What exactly is Papier-mâché?

Papier-mâché, French for "chewed paper", is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste.

How do you make Papier-mâché?

Both children and adults are always creating all sorts of wonderful art projects with paper mache: pinatas, masks, a globe, pencil holders, bowls, people...

(Above:  Man making an Armature for a Paper Mache Figure)

So here's how to make paper mache glue from water and flour so that both you and the children can get your hands messy...

What you need

• flour
• water
• mixing bowl
• spoon

Activity

Mix one part flour with one part of water (eg, 1 cup flour and 1 cup water, or 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water) until you get a thick glue-like consistency.  Add a bit more water if it's too thick.

Mix well with a spoon to get rid of all the lumps.  If you find you are getting lumps in your glue, you can use a small kitchen electric mixer to whiz them out.

Add a few tablespoons of salt to the final mixture to help prevent mold.

NOTES:

• You need to use strips of newspaper only, or even paper tissues or towels.
• Let the newspaper strips soak in the paper mache glue a little before using.
• Cover your artwork with only 2-3 layers, then let dry completely.  This is an important step.
• Once a layer is dry you can add 2-3 more layers, remembering to let each layer dry before adding the next one.
• The final layer can be plain paper - so it's easier to paint - but use the thinnest paper possible and make sure it's soaked well in the paper mache glue.

Examples of Paper Mache items...

Paper Mache Chair

Paper Mache Bowls

How do you create Paper Mache items?

For this evening's lesson for all writers, creatives, artists, and Blog Followers, here is a great site for you to check out in order to learn more about creating Paper Mache items...

the spruce

From the spruce site, you can learn how to get involved with this fun craft of Paper Mache making that is appropriate for all ages!

You'll learn:

paper mache techniques;

how to make a base form;

Paper Mache paste & pulp recipes;

Step by Step Directions;

Project Ideas;

View the Photo Gallery;

Learn Tips & Hints;

Watch a Video!

All of this creative paper mache making fun will get you inspired to get into your writing...

After all, there are sheets of paper that are blank that are just stacked up waiting for you to type up your story, poetry, memoir, article, script, play, film,

 . . . you get the picture! . . .

Writer ~

If stacks of blank paper don't inspire you to write ~

Try doing a creative project to get you motivated!

Friends ~ See you in the next fascinating Blog Session!

Peace, Love & Light

By René Allen

©Copyright - René Allen - 2014-2018 - All Rights Reserved