CREATIVE FAMILY FUN
Make marbleized paper at a Family Wrap Party
Whether we’re children or adults, we all like to feel useful and part of the fun or wrapping a present. So enlist the kids in this fun and creative job. But before you go out and purchase rolls of wrap, save money by making a beautiful batch for this year’s gifts, and keep the wrap in a handy spot in the cupboard so you can grab a sheet as you need it in the coming months. Gather big paper bags from your recycling bin, plus marbles and bright poster paint, and you’ll be ready for family fun. Here’s the stuff you’ll need:
One large, sturdy cardboard gift box approximately 30 by 45cm, or similar container with sides
several marbles (one for each paint colour) liquid poster paint in several colours spoons (one for each colour) plain brown paper grocery bags, construction paper or butcher paper recycled deli or margarine tubs scissors newspaper Here’s the fun: Cover your work surface with newspaper. Cut open the paper bags and trim a sheet to fit the bottom of the box. (Or, if using construction paper or butcher paper, cut to size.) Place the paper inside. Pour a small amount of each
colour of paint into the containers.
Drop a marble in one of the paint containers. Shake the container gently until the marble is thoroughly coated with paint, or use a spoon to move the marble around in the paint. With a spoon, drop the marble in the box and shift the box back and forth so the marble rolls in all directions, leaving paint on the paper. Repeat the process, using a different marble for each colour of paint desired.
When the colourful, abstract design is complete, remove your paper of modern art and let it dry. Tip: For smaller packages, “shake and create” gift wrap using a clean, large cylindrical potato-chip can with a lid. Loosely roll a sheet of paper inside the can so that it lines the interior. Using one colour at a time, roll a marble or two in paint (as described above) and drop in the can. Snap on the lid, shake a few times, remove the lid and put the marble or marbles onto newspaper. Repeat with a marble or two in another colour. Remove the paper to reveal your art.