Cast Your Heart Upon...

Terra cotta molds! Carol's guest, Dion Barron, shows how to hand-cast cotton paper using kits that include terra cotta molds, such as the heart she displayed. The cast cotton serves as a great decorative element for paper bags, baskets or gift boxes, and pieces of it can also be used to wreaths. This is a project that is appropriate for young children, as well as adults.

Materials:

cotton cast paper kit
blender
colander
large sponge
absorbent towel
makeup or other paint to decorate
optional: fabric dye - colors as desired

Steps:

1. Place a sheet of cotton linter in a blender.
2. Pour in the additive included in the kit. Optional: To produce colored paper, add fabric dye into the mixture.
3. Blend to a soft pulp.
4. Drain out a small amount of the water, but do not dry the pulp completely.
5. Put the mixture on the mold and flatten into place using your hands or a knife.
6. Push down on the mixture with a large sponge to soak up excess water.
7. Press on the mixture with an absorbent towel to soak up the last remaining water.
8. Allow to dry. It can be speed-dried in a conventional or microwave oven, or with a hair dryer.
9. Lift out the cotton sheet when it is dry.
10. Decorate as desired.

Also in this Episode

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-118
•	Cast Your Heart Upon...
•	Paint A Thousand Words
•	Fancy Terra Cotta Pots