SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Paper mache letter
- Thin backing AstroTurf
- Black acrylic paint
- 1 1/2" foam brush
- Palette
- Light color colored pencil
- 2-4 T-pins
- Scissors
- Hot glue & gun
- Tacky glue
- Yardstick
- Sewing tape measure
- Sheet of paper in any size larger than letter
- Optional: X-Acto knife, #11 blade & cutting board
DIRECTIONS:
- Apply black paint to the back 1/4" of the sides and the back of the letter. This will eliminate visible raw edges of mache if there are any irregularities in the back cut of the side with astroturf. Let dry.
- Lay astroturf back side up on top of paper. Lay letter front down on astroturf. Draw around letter with colored pencil. Cut astroturf letter front with scissors or X-Acto knife on cutting board. Optional: Keep all green turf clippings to fill the edges.
- Measure side thickness of letter. Measure around the sides of the letter. Cut long strips of astroturf using the thickness of the letters for the width of strips and the perimeter measurement as the overall length. The length may be broken up into shorter pieces. Set aside.
- Lay the astroturf front onto the face of the letter lining up the edges. Trim any overhang edges. Place T-pins at an angle through astroturf, into letter, to keep the letter in place. Lift one end of astroturf and apply glue to letter and press. Place lines of glue along both edges of mache and zig zag lines through the center. Work from one end of letter to the other. For letters with openings alternate sections from one side to the other.
- Apply the back of astroturf to the sides of the letters with hot glue. Glue a short section at a time. Place lines of glue along both edges of mache and zig zag lines through the center. When splicing strips of astroturf together add a line of glue under the ends. Keep joints away from corners turns.
- Optional: Use the green turf clippings to finish the front edges of the sides. Apply a bead of tacky glue to the joint of the front and sides. Press a generous amount of green clippings to cover the glue. Allow to dry. Additional green clippings may be necessary. Cut the green off small strips of turf to create a pile of clippings for edges.
- Shake off excess clippings when glue has set.