Make a Mail Sorter out of Junk Mail!

This is an oldie but a goodie, so I'm re-posting it today, and linking up at Kimba's DIY Party! :-)

I had some requests to go through with my cereal box paper sorter, so here goes! You can make it yourself today out of things you already have around your house! I really did use my junk mail!

Want to make your own? Read on, my friends!

What you'll need: An assortment of small boxes, a marker, a ruler, a utility knife or scissors, masking tape, junk mail/newspaper, flour, and water. Told you you already have what you need!

Measure, mark, and cut your boxes to the shape and sizes you need. This is such a great project because you can do it with your exact needs in mind! How big should it be? How many separate places for papers to you need?

Next, use masking tape to arrange the boxes into your desired mail sorter. (Do not substitute a different tape because otherwise the paper mache will not stick.) I also attached some smaller boxes to the side, but I failed to take a picture of that at that stage...

Paper mache time! You can get special paste for paper mache, but I just mix flour and water. The ratio is about 1 part flour to 4 parts water. Tear your newspaper into strips (avoiding the shiny sale fliers) and dip them into your bowl. Then run the strip between your fingers, removing all the excess. (You only need it to be wet- not globby.)

For anything detailed, you'll want to use "nubs". See how I used nubs around my edges? Using many smaller pieces is going to be easier and leave a better texture than using large pieces. Save those long strips for the larger areas.

Ok, now here's an intermediate paper mache lesson. If you want to add a design or a monogram, here's what you do. Twist your newspaper into a tube and use masking tape to tack it down in your desired shape. Then use your paper mache nubs to tack it down. Do not do detailed work with strips. Remember to slick all your edges down.

Let it dry overnight...

Then paint or decorate as desired! I used some leftover wall paint, but you could use some acrylic craft paint, or even spray paint! I love the little apple barrel paints you can get at Wal-Mart.

Paper mache is totally underestimated as a medium. The possibilities are endless! Be creative!