In Journeys to Peace - A Parable of Forgiveness" included several lessons, some of which were fun! The first fun lesson was making a face mask reflect who you think you are on the inside. I did this once, and it was a tremendous meditative inner healing process.
The second fun project was making soap incorporating listening skills, following directions, and, most of all, patience.
Paper-Mache Mask
www.ehow.com/how6399582make-paper-mache-masks-fact.html
Inexpensive and fun to make, a paper-mache mask fits well and feels comfortable because you make it using your own face as a mold.
Paper-mache requires patience as it takes time to wait for the newspaper strips to dry out. Set aside a few hours of time to complete this project. Things You’ll Need
Bowl
Flour
Petroleum jelly, or alternative
Scissors
Large mirror
Fan
Step 1
Mix flour paste. In the bowl, mix together three parts water and one part flour until smooth. Add a little more water or flour to adjust the thickness of the paste as desired.
A kitchen mixing bowl works perfectly for this project.
Prepare for the mask. Set up a comfortable, well-lit spot in front of the mirror. Place the paste and newspaper strips nearby. Step 2
Apply a protective layer of petroleum jelly to your face, brows and hairline. If you are allergic to petroleum products, try using aloe vera gel or olive oil instead.
Start with an X-shape. Dip two thin strips of newspaper into the paste, coating both sides. Place one strip diagonally from the lower left nostril across the bridge of the nose and ending over the right brow. Smooth flat. Place the second strip diagonally in the opposite direction ending over the left brow. This helps provide structure to build on for the rest of the mask.
Move to the forehead. Dip a wider strip of newspaper into the paste. Apply it horizontally across the forehead. Smooth flat. Work around each side of the forehead, applying more newspaper strips. Overlap about half of the previous newspaper strip with each new one.
Wrap the eye sockets and nose. Continue wrapping newspaper strips from the temples around the eyes. Leave the eyes open you will need to see while you work. Wrap the newspaper strips around the bottom of the eye sockets and over the nose. A last strip over the nose will secure both sides of the face together. If you are making a masquerade ball mask, stop here and let the newspaper dry.
Finish the lower half of the face. Outline the rest of the face, lower jaw and chin with newspaper strips. Work inward from the outside, overlapping newspaper strips as you go. If you want to leave a mouth hole, work around the mouth in the same manner used to wrap around the eyes.
Step 3
Add another layer to the mask. For a thicker, more durable paper mask, repeat steps 2 through 4.
Step 4
Allow the mask to set. Set up a small room fan nearby. Sit back and relax for about an hour while the mask sets. The air from the fan helps some of the excess water to evaporate.
Step 5
Remove the mask. Lean forward, holding your hands against the mask. Gently scrunch your face to work it loose from the newspaper. Ease the mask away from your face. It will still be mostly wet at this point, so be very careful.
Set the mask in front of the room fan to help it completely dry out. It can take up to 24 hours for the paper to dry entirely. (Authors note - Once completely dried you can now decorate it with paint, glitter, feathers, jewels, etc.)
Bar Soap Recipe
www.ehow.com/how2352389make-soap-lye.h
Step 1
Cut three or four 4-ounce glycerin melt-and-pour base bars into small cubes. The cubes should measure about an inch. Place the cubes into a microwave-safe bowl and set inside a microwave.
Step 2
Heat the soap base on high for 45 seconds. Stir the melted soap base. Place back in the microwave and heat on high for an additional 10 seconds and stir if the soap base hasn’t completely melted. Continue heating the soap base at 10-second intervals –- stirring after each additional heating –- until the cubed melt-and-pour soap base has melted.
Warning
As a safety precaution, use pot holders when removing the bowl from the microwave.
Step 3
Add essential oils if desired to the melted soap base and stir thoroughly.
Tip - Lavender essential oil, for example, has a calming and relaxing aromatherapy effect, while lemon essential oil has an uplifting effect. To order doTerra essential oils - click here>>>
Step 4
Pour the melted base slowly into the soap mold. Set the mold in a location away from direct heat and sunlight. Leave the mold undisturbed for at least three hours before carefully popping the soap out of the mold and using.
I hope you try one of these projects; it is a fun-filled activity with many valuable lessons.
God's blessings and peace ~
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