Papier Macheniacs on FB!

YAY!  We finally decided to put our biggest Family Project Weekend work/play on display.  Minus exhibit venue and invite printing costs.  Thank you, Facebook!

Welcome to Papier Macheniacs!

Here, you'll find anything and everything we decide to make out of paper on a weekly basis.  You'll also find us throwing in tips on proper papier mache-making and care.  Are you using the right glue, the right paint brush, the right frame of mind?  Lol!  We're also debunking the stereotype that papier mache is just for display or pinata action.  There's more to it than that.  There's film-making, role-playing, ultimately great family bonding.  And you won't believe how much creativity spillage can happen once you give your kids full hands-on in it.

If you've ever been stumped on arts and crafts ideas for the kids on weekends, well, here's where you grab ideas as you go.  And all you need is paper, and a tank full of imagination. 

Papier Macheniacs.  Like us.  Because we... like... you.

Papier Mache Shorties

Our boys are at it again!
This time, they're making movies with their homemade papier mache characters as top film actors.
I don't mind seeing them toss these 'artworks' in the air --and eventually end up on the work bench's intensive care unit.  The important thing is that they're building something out of them.  They were made not just to grace the shelves after all.  They're meant to be played with.  They're meant to make childhood stories.

Armed with papier mache and a camphone --these boys are unstoppable.

Harry Potter vs. Voldemort

That spine-tingling final duel scene from that magically epic movie franchise is reenacted by Kenji --complete with a resonating, deep voice that's making me think he's following my footsteps in voice acting.  Heee...
What I like about this kid is his talent at camera handling.  He puts in crazy angles, swish pans, all the stops to hold that suspenseful moment.  The comical twist he threw in the end is equally cool!

Dementio vs. Count Bleck

(Please ignore the sleeping whale in the first frame --that's me.  Videobomber!)
Miro is our resident storyteller.  So he's got his Super Paper Mario papier maches living out a cute little sitcom he cooked up himself.  What I like about this --aside from the voice changes in between characters which again prove that both my kiddos either have a future in voice acting or demomnic possession movie roles-- is that he used cuts to edit his material while shooting.  Neat director's treatment there!

Let's pause for that proud momma moment. :)

You know what, I think it's great parenting to give your kids a camphone nowadays.  Really.  It not only sparks their creativity.  It also allows them to record memories.  This time, the way THEY see it.

How do you like your Lego?

This year, Miro brought home bonus knowledge from Robotics summer camp.

Lego Digital Designer.  That's what the scribble said in the tiny piece of paper he clasped gingerly in one hand.  

Lego Digital Designer is a program available for download online (and that we did the first five minutes Miro got home).  As the name suggests, it's an application that allows kids and adults alike to design and build their Lego creations via the simple drag and click of the mouse.  Yet another proof that the digital world is definitely upon us.

I see a bunch of goodies with this Lego advancement.

• You have more bricks on-hand than you can possibly collect in a lifetime.
• You get to build fast.
• You get to create a scenario for each creation with a simple change in the background.
• You get to spot your masterpiece from all angles, thanks to an amazing camera control feature.
• You get to make your Lego creation move with a series of programmed commands.
• You don't lose pieces in the process.
• You don't make a mess.
• You don't stub your toe.
• Lastly and more importantly, it's FREE! 

The Lego Digital Designer --in all its unique glory-- honorably sat on the boys' Mac desktop dock along with the other kid-important applications like Safari, Firefox, Snood, Super Mario Brawl, iTunes,  Powerpoint, and Freehand.  But it was only touched the first week it was installed.

Surprisingly, despite their knack for high-tech toys and video game designing, my boys are old school when it comes to Lego.  They would rather play Lego in its original tactile form.  They love hunting for the right piece in that huge mound of bricks.  They love the feel of snapping the tiny blocks together.  They love the long time ti takes to build something great.  They love the mess!  And they would rather admire, move, and play with their final masterpiece with their own bare hands. 

I guess for a lot of things, it IS more the journey than the destination.  Success is sweeter when it took your blood, sweat, and tears to get there.

And for my boys --and I bet for a bunch of other kids-- that also applies to Lego.

Styrofoamagination

STOP!  Think twice before you throw away that gift box styrofoam!  To your child's vast imagination, it's essentially ...another toy!!!

In fact, in my house, styrofoam, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, and cardboard casings are considered goldmines.  More often than not, my boys focus on these protective shells more than the actual toy they came with.

Just look at how Kenji made three awesome new toys out of these simple, almost discardable styro sleeves.

With a little paint and inspiration, the styros have become the secret headquarters for his Lego guys.

One easy flip of the two pieces exposes the hub's swanky interiors.

Another flip (and more paint and inventiveness) gives Teddy and Rodney a ride on the Styro Express.

More flipping (and more paint-and-brain-squeezeing) takes Super Mario and the gang to the Foam Theater for a blockbuster movie night.

All that, and all Kenji needed were these 2 styrofoam casings that almost met the trashcan.
*Mother's face, meet mother's palm

Kids are born resourceful recyclers --and us parents have absolutely no right to curb their bold display of creativity.  Do as I do --hoard, amass, stockpile.  Then, wait and watch.  You'd be surprised.

The Speedy and Not So Sleepy Sandwich

Sandwich as a quick kiddie snack is a parent's best friend.  No fuss, no mess, and kids love the mobility it brings. 

But of course, my husband --who's recently dubbed himself as Chef Jing-- wouldn't allow that monotony to get in the way of food enjoyment.  The man has sandwich creativity up his sleeve.  Which he has demonstrated on a whole lot of sandwiches but I'm posting the ones of Miro's White Bread and Cheese Spread Combo to show the full versatility effect.

Introducing the Sandwich Sailboat.

The Cheese and Chips Campfire.

The CheeseKebab!

Props included are his trusty bread knife and a whole lot of wicked imagination.  This food art is applicable on all types of sandwiches, and enjoyable for all types of kids.  Just let your mind run away with it and fun eating will automatically take shape.

Boring sandwich again?  Oh no, not this time.

For Love of Lego

Nothing beats the happiness that is LEGO.

Practically the best buy a parent can possibly make.  Possibly the best show of positive parenting a parent can display.  Ok, I overdid that.  But nothing pushes a child's imagination than the concept of building things from scrap --fueled by a parent's unconditional support, of course.  And since bottlecaps and empty tin cans aren't always sanitary, we have Lego and Lego Duplo blocks.  

They have been my children's best friends and creativity channels for many years now.  And I don't see these toys being forgotten any time soon.  Even with the Nintendo DS and the Gameboy comfortably available within reach, these boys will always go back to their Lego boxes to set their minds and hands to work.  It's the perfect exercise for any child's developing brain.  It helps their dexterity, too --but then, I'm overdoing it again.

Whoever invented Lego really has a smart, good, responsible head on his shoulders.  Not to mention a happy, fat ass sitting on tons of cash.  Lego is a gold mine.  Not just for him.  But for your kids.  And for parents.  Everybody wins!  Can I have a glorious angel choir at this point please?