Lee’s Paper Mache Recipe

Alright, folks, gather 'round! I’m finally spilling my secret paper maché recipe.

You will need:
- Shredded office paper (Or you can use cardboard, junk mail, egg cartons, they're all fair game!)
- Large container to hold shredded paper covered in water
- Stick blender
- Water
- Multi purpose compound
- Glue
- Reusable veggie bag / small holed mesh bag
- Large bowl (for mixing the recipe)
- Disposable gloves
- Zip lock bag

Step by Step:

1. Soak your shredded office paper overnight for that extra juiciness

2. Blend it into pulp using an electric blender

3. Pour the pulp into the mesh bag and squeeze out the excess H2O

4. Place pulp into large bowl and break apart into small popcorn sized pieces (Don’t let this pulp dry out before step 5)

5. Now for the messy part: mix 4 cups of pulp with 1 cup of glue and 1 cup of multi-purpose compound in a large bowl (don't forget those gloves!)

6. Let the creativity flow! Store leftovers in a zip lock bag for your next masterpiece.

   Remember, it's an art, not a science! If you're rockin' the cardboard, just throw in extra compound and glue. Get craftin' and hit me up for any crafting conundrums! Cheers, Lee

Below are just a few of my latest creations made using the above paper maché recipe

An ode to architectural details

Behold my newest paper mache collection! Inspired by my recent Melbourne escapade, where every corner boasted architectural marvels: from intricate front gates to ornate bridges and dazzling lead light windows.

Wallscapes: Sculpted Elegance in Paper Mache Vases

Over the last 15 months, I've stretched my creative muscles by crafting one new paper mache wall vase monthly. This journey has steered me towards a fresh artistic direction. Despite the challenges of COVID, I persevered, embracing the opportunity to acquire new skills, for which I'm immensely thankful.

Make your own - felt bunting

This has got to be our most fun DIY to date - bring the carnival inside by making your own felt bunting to jazz up the inside of your locker!

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make this cute + colourful decoration - have fun picking colours to match your locker or go the full rainbow!

What you need

• Download the bunting template

• Felt

• Marker pens/felt tips

• Material scissors

• Ruler

• Pins

• Sewing machine

• Large eye needle needle

• Twine or thread 80cm

Step by Step

1. Print out your downloaded template on A4 paper + cut out all of the elements.

2.Trace around the template on the felt using a marker or felt tip pen in a similar colour to your chosen piece of felt. Tip - put the flat side of the template on the edge of the felt for a nice straight line.

3. Cut around the bunting shapes using your scissors.

4. Fold down the straight edge by 1cm and secure with a pin.

5. Sew the folded edge down as close as practical to the edge. Make sure you have enough of a 'loop' at the top to be able to thread your twine through at the end!(You can totally stitch it by hand if you don't have a sewing machine!)

6. After you have sewn up 7 bunting tabs, use your large eye needle to thread the string through the pocket at the top of your tabs.

7. Then thread the string though the little lip under the front of the shelf and tie together at the back. Tuck in the string so you can't see it + pop the shelf back in the locker. How cute does that look!!?

Creative Easter 🐰 food with our toys! Yes, you have read that correctly!

We love working with Make Me Iconic and below is the 18th shoot we have styled and shot for them.

To celebrate special occasions such as Easter, we always love thinking outside the box and creating fun new family traditions. These beautiful Easter cakes and hot cross bun creations are such a unique Easter surprise, or a fun holiday activity to prepare with your loved ones! Topped of course with some classic Make Me Iconic goodies from our online faves, you really can't go wrong this Easter!

Happy Decorating!

How easy is it to decorate a Easter cake using our wooden candy toys on top! All you need to do is raid the toy cupboard and find our iconic candy jar toy. Give the wooden pieces you want to use a quick wipe with soap & water (but make sure you don't completely emerge then in soapy water!). Just a quick wipe with a damp cloth that has been soaked in hot soapy water will do. You could add a little disinfection spray to the cloth because after all the wooden toys will sit on top of the cake. Decorate and arrange the pieces how you like. Remember to remove them before cutting and eating the cake. These wooden toy pieces are not for eating! Use edible flowers to decorate the side of the cake or any other edible sprinkles you might have in the cupboard.

Craft: Valentine's Day ❤️ sweet felt craft cookie →

With Valentine's Day just around the corner why not make something unique with the kids for that someone special. Below you find the the easy to make instructions.

Goodies you need:

- 1 x A4 felt in brown 

- 1 x A4 felt in red

- Sewing Needle

- White cotton thread 

- Scissors

- Make Me Iconic Love Heart Cookie template

- Dark coloured texter

Step 1 - Download and cut out paper template

Step 2 - Trace around the front and back of the cookie onto brown felt using a dark texter.

Step 3 - Then trace around the back of the template onto red felt.

Step 4 - Cut out the felt and place the cookies pieces together (brown, red and then brown)

Step 5 - Using a needle and thread, sew around the outer edge of the love heart cookie with blanket stitch. To finish, sew around the love heart using running stitch.

Summer Craft: Australia Day craft for your Aussie Burger! 🍔

We are looking forward to having lots to celebrate about this coming year. There are so many new goodies on their way this year which we can't wait to share with you all really soon. But if you and the kids are looking for an excuse to make your own little Australia Day party at home this weekend we have some great craft ideas to add to your Iconic Aussie Burger set. This is one of our most popular toys so we can't wait to share these fun ideas to dress it up just that little bit more for Australia Day. Or get in quick if you don't have our stacking burger in your toy collection yet... we promise you won't regret it! 

Head to Make Me Iconic’s blog for the step by step instructions.

Christmas Craft: Pretty Pipe Cleaner Crowns 👑

If you are looking for some fun Christmas craft ideas these pipe cleaner crafts are super easy to pop together for lots of Christmas dress up fun!

Head to Make Me Iconic’s blog for the easy step by step instructions.

https://makemeiconic.com/blogs/make-me-iconic-blog/christmas-craft-pretty-pipe-cleaner-crowns

Make your own - magnetic frame

It's time to take your mustard locker to the next level with a magnetic frame you can make yourself!

Follow our instructions to turn your locker into an art gallery - hang all your favourite prints + photos with this super sweet DIY.

What you need

• Dressed all round timber, 30mm x 12mm x 2.4m - we purchased ours from Bunnings, like B&Q

• Saw

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Drill

• Hot glue gun

• 4 x Mighties Magnets (or any small but super strong magnets!) - we got ours from Officeworks

• Paint brush

• House paint in your favourite colour!

For full step by step instructions and images head to Mustard Made’s blog.
https://mustardmade.com/blogs/news/make-your-own-magnetic-frame

How cute is that! We love the minimalistic look of this frame + how it can be personalised to suit any locker.

WORKING WITH MAKE ME ICONIC - TEA TOWEL TUTORIAL →

Created by Lee - You Give Me Grace

Photos by Jo Kim Photography

WORKING WITH MUSTARD MADE - POM POM TUTORIAL

Create adorable pom pom magnets in literally a minute! This has to be the fastest way to add something special to your Mustard lockers.  You can use them to stick photos, reminders, shopping lists, weekly schedules, inspiring quotes... They'll turn your locker into a magnetic notice board in just one simple step.

Created by Lee - You Give Me Grace

Photos by Jo Kim Photography

Tips and Tricks for lemon decals

You may be asking how do I apply these decals?

The short answer is easy - peel and stick.

If you need a little extra info please keep reading for a couple of tricks that may help as well.

1. Use a damp cloth to clean your wall. Let the wall dry completely before proceeding. This step is important because walls have dust particles and residue that could affect the adhesion of the wall decal.

   You will need to allow a freshly painted wall to cure for 2-3 weeks before installing your decal.

2. Before peeling off the backing, use Blu Tack to position the decals on the wall. This allows you to preview the arrangement and it’s location on your wall. I recommend leaving the room even for a minute and coming back in for a fresh look.

3. Now the fun part happens - peel off the backing paper one by one. If a bubble appears simply peel off the lemon and stick it down again.

If you have any questions, please message me and I will be more than happy to help you

WORKING WITH MAKE ME ICONIC - A VERY AUSSIE EASTER

MAKE YOUR NEXT GIFT EXTRA SWEET!

Good things happen when Mustard Made collaborates with Little People, Big Dream

Super excited to have Grace take part in this super fun photo shoot for world book week. Becca from Mustard Made pulled this whole collaboration together in JUST 3 DAYS. That means everything from pitching the idea, finding 13 kids, create and sew the outfits, get a photographer, set up the space... then shooting the photos in the morning and having the whole video ready for release that night. Just incredible!

For this of you playing at home Gracie is DAZZLE

LEMON SQUEEZY - DECAL RELEASE

I am beyond pumped to finally announce the lemon decals I designed are finally for sale in my online store after more than a year after the initial concept.

Let me take you back to the beginning….

If you have been following my design journey you would know I have a love for colour, especially pink, yellow and blue. That love only blossomed more when I had the opportunity to design a decal for my daughter room. I knew I wanted something yellow to pop against the pink panelled wall but wasn’t sure of anything past that point. (flowers, bananas with faces, lemons, bumble bees)

I quickly started sketching and decided zesty lemons would be the first of many fruit decals to come.

Below is a little walk though of how the lemons came to life.

1. I did a couple of quick rough sketches to see what multiple lemons scattered onto a wall would look like. I loved how it was so organic but knew it needed more variety and detail.

2. Finalised a more realistic lemon shape after looking a way too may lemons on google.

3. Now came the fun part of adding detail. I wasn’t sure if I wanted a gradient or shadow or little dots. Once I finished about 10 different lemon detail I sat on the project for about a month. I didn’t want to rush into picking one.

4. Once I had FINALLY chosen one, I added the 5 different leaves to the lemons, leaving one plain. Then the last part was just choosing the final Pantones for the greenery.