Creative Paperclay DT Project

 Be sure to scroll down and see how I was used.


Gingerbread Man

 

This is the first time I have used Creative Paperclay.  And let me just say I am in love with this product!  It is so easy to use and the possibilities are endless.  It is so user friendly it would be a great craft medium for children too!

For my design team project I decided to make a gingerbread man.  I hope you enjoy it.

Instructions:
For a pattern I hand drew my gingerbread man (paper template) on cardboard.  But if you do not draw you can find chipboard images to trace around or a childs' coloring book is also a good source for simple clean line images.
1.) Take only the amount of paperclay out of package that you will be using. Be sure to seal the remainder back up so that it will remain pliable for future projects.
2.) Roll out on a flat surface either using wax paper or a craft mat underneath.  Also to help maintain an even thickness lay flat paint stir sticks about 7" apart, then place paperclay in between and use your rolling pen or  acrylic rod to flatten it keeping the rolling pen or acrylic rod on top of paint stir sticks. The thickness will be uniform this way.
3.) Carefully cut around the image with a craft blade.
4.)  Lift off pattern template and take the back of your fingernail and go all away around the design and blunt the top edge.  Lay aside to dry for 1 to three days.
5.) Next roll three small balls for holly berries and set aside to dry. Once dried, paint red.  Flatten out small pieces of paperclay and cut out a leaf shape and squeeze center slightly to resemble a holly leaf.  Make two. Lay aside to dry. Once dry paint green and highlight with light yellow.
6.) After gingerbread body has dried use Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink Pad with either a makeup sponge or color duster brush to apply color.  Dust entire cookie brown.  Go around edge and additional time or two to have a deeper color where it would look like the cooked cookie edge.
7.) For eyes roll small balls of clay flatten slightly and lay aside to dry.  Once dry paint desired color.
8.) Using a clay extruder make small piece for the mouth.  About 1" long, shape into smile and lay aside to dry.  Once dry, paint red.
9.) Assemble gingerbread man by gluing eyes, smile, holly leaves and berries to him in proper places. 
10.) Cut ribbon trim to length and glue around arms and legs.
11.) For buttons, I used metal heart shaped brads.  I cut brad part off and glued down with my favorite glue.  For all adhesion I used Aleene's Gold Bottle Craft Glue.

This little gingerbread man can be inscribed and a hanging cord added for a special Christmas ornament or package topper or added to a wreath or as I choose to do and add it to a rubber stamped sleigh filled with pine boughs and a floral cookie pick for a display piece. 

Also checkout Creative Paperclay blog http://www.creativepaperclay.blogspot.com/ for more great ideas!