Wednesday 20 May 2020

WOYWW #572: Moulded shapes from toilet paper

Sheesh, has it really been 4 weeks since I last blogged? I've been incredibly busy with work and homeschooling but managed to find a little time to create something last week. I'll show you later, but first here's my my desk as it was last weekend, getting a bit messy!


I've been experimenting with moulded shapes made from toilet paper. Now that the toilet paper craze is over, I have enough supplies to waste it on this non-essential activity. Basically, you have to soak the toilet paper, blend it and then press it into a silicone mould and squeeze out the water. Once dry, it's rigid, very light and easy to paint. This was my prototype: 


I simply stuck it on one of the inky backgrounds I showed you last time. I made two others while I was at it. The face was also moulded from toilet paper - and yes, I realise it's a bit freaky! The skeleton leaf for the third piece was just lying on my desk and I thought why not use it?


Gardening news: I was so looking forward to my rhododendron blooming as it had two dozen buds from last year. I didn't realise that only one of them was a flower bud and the rest of them were all leaf buds!  You can see them here:


Then just a few days after we planted it out, a hard frost came and all these new leaf shoots perished. I was so sad! I just hope it will still bring new shoots this year. I could have easily kept the plant in the pot for a few more days and put it in the conservatory if I had known that the frost was going to be so harsh. Well, you learn from your mistakes.

I'm also looking after these little trees shown below. I grew all of them from seedlings and it's so rewarding to watch them grow. That big one on the right was just a tiny little thing a few weeks ago. I think it's a Mountain Ash tree. There's also a chestnut tree that grew out of a sprouted chestnut my husband found on the ground, a couple of lemon trees that I started growing last autumn, a Crimson King that's probably from a seed that got blown over from a neighbour's garden two doors down and a few other unidentified species - we'll find out what they grow into - it will be a surprise! 


We even made it to the garden centre last weekend when they first opened after the lockdown and picked up these cute little flowers. They're some sort carnations, so pretty: 


Just one photo of Oreo left to share - doesn't he look handsome? It took me a while to get him to sit this way and look in the camera. That's a Japanese Maple in the background that also got planted out a few weeks ago - we bought it last year, but I kept it in a pot over winter. 


Hope everyone's doing well and enjoying the summer weather - hard to believe I wore my woolly jumper just last week!  I may not be able to visit everyone today, but I'll definitely do so later in the week. Take care and stay safe - or shall I say Stay Alert - those of you in the UK will understand the reference LOL! xx

29 comments:

  1. Love that moulding, very clever and useful as it's so lightweight . . . hmmm
    The Carnations are called Pinks and have you smelt the perfume yet?
    Oreo is looking goooood. . .
    Happy Anniversary
    Christine #31

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  2. What a clever material to use with moulds instead of clay Zsuzsa. What a shame about the frost. The new flowers look pretty. Meow to Oreo. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #15.

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  3. Morning Zsuzsa. Happy 11th anniversary. What fun you have been having with the toilet paper! Your plants are lovely - your garden must be looking a real treat.
    Here in Wales we are still using "Stay safe" - and have not changed the lockdown rules - still only using the car for going to the shops - not to drive somewhere and then exercise. We are some weeks behind you in England. So...
    Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
    Margaret #3

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  4. Now that is a novel way to use toilet paper - great result! All your plants a re looking good - I love those little pinks. Sun shining here today - I will be outside raising a glass to our fab WOYWWers! Happy Bloggyversary. xx Jo #23

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  5. What a wonderful molding session. I love to see what kind of things you will use them to. I guess you are busy when you have homeschooling and such so it is nice to see what you have done on the creatively side.


    Thank you so much for sharing!

    Happy WOYWW Anniversary
    Mariane #25
    http://art.cordes.re

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  6. Happy 11th Bloggyversary! That's a fun way of using toilet paper - I've been researching a similar sort of thing on YouTube to make a figure's head and there are tutorials which also use a filler in the mix which gives a good effect. I'd have known it was you work from the colours, your signature tones!
    Hugs LLJ 4 xxx

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  7. Well who would have thought you could make such fab things with toilet paper....clever you.
    Thanks for your love and friendship over the last 11 years.
    Hugs,
    Annie x #11

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  8. That's such a sweet little moulded shape and such a gorgeous colour too. I use toilet paper in a similar way but lay sheets over a rubber stamp and then wet them, press them in with a brush and allow to dry. I hadn't thought of blending it and using it in a mould like that - certainly something to try in the future, and so much cheaper than buying paper clay!
    Lovely Pinks, the scent reminds me of my childhood and I love the picture of Oreo looking so handsome!
    Happy WOYWW Anniversary, hope you have a good week,
    Diana xx #28

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  9. Loving the moulded toilet paper, who would know! Shame for your poor rhododendron, I hope it survives.. Happy 11th anniversary Helen #2

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  10. Hi Zsuzsa so glad you made it to the 11th WoywW Anniversary, Super little moulded shape, must be like a paper mache technique but so much easier to manipulate. All three designs look fantastic, I especially love the face.. if I can not find Toilet paper tomorrow i'll be heading on over hee hee!!
    I'm very envious of your trip to the garden centre, we have so much to do in ours but it involves a skip and some remodeling first. Enjoy those blooms and plants as they grow.. Oreo looks more and more distinguished each time I see him. Take care & stay very very safe Hugs Tracey #10 xx

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  11. HI Zsuzsa, lovely photos of the plants. A shame about the Rhodedendron, hopefully it will catch up again. Love the little carnations, they're called Dianthus,also known as Pinks, and often have a beautiful smell, some, I think mainly white ones, have a clove smell. Great job with the little moulds, they've turned out fab. Have a lovely week, Stay safe, Hugs, Shaz #12 XxxX

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  12. Happy 11th Anniversary, Zsuzsa. I was really interested in the toilet paper and what you blend it with. I love the face and the medallion prototype. Your desk always looks SO happy. Happy WOYWW from # 6.

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  13. Hi again Zsuzsa, if you are going to give the paper casting a try here's a link that you might find useful: https://blackholeartstudio.blogspot.com/2012/09/tips-and-techniques-thursday.html
    Have fun - Diana x

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  14. I know those flowers as "pinks" and if you strip the bits that stick out from the stems and put them in water you can grow lots more of those flowers. My mil showed me years ago and I used to have them in my garden. (From a bought bunch of the flowers that is)
    Love your paper casting, it is fun isn't it. We did a lot of that one week at the club with my friend Paul and now you have reminded me of it I think I can feel a session lining up for the future.
    Will you plant your little trees outside at some time? I would love to know if the lemon ones bear fruit.
    Oreo looks his usual majestic self - lovely to see him.
    Hugs, Neet 5 xx

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  15. Loving the toilet paper project and what a great result too especially now that we can get the stuff again! Plants looking good and so is Oreo. Thanks for all your kind comments and wishing you a very happy woyww 11th Anniversary. Big hugs, Angela x17x

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  16. I love your little moulded shapes Zsuzsa! It's amazing that the paper holds together when it dries. The first one is gorgeous in your signature colours and I love what you've done with them, too. Your garden pictures are fabulous - everything looks very neat and tidy. So lovely to see Oreo again - he looks quite regal sitting there on his perch surveying his kingdom! The kitties will be 3 on Sunday! Can you believe it?

    Happy WOYWW 11th anniversary,
    Shoshi x #20

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  17. Happy anniversary Zsuzsa and what a beautiful collection of art projects and selection of plants. Well done for growing all of the plants from seeds/seedlings. We are having such a mild winter and the frosts are happening in the wrong part of the world. Oreo has grown into a very handsome kitty. Stay safe and keep creating.
    Sandra de @16

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  18. Hi Zsuzsa, Happy WOYWW anniversary.
    I love the loo paper moulded shapes, and you have been very busy in the garden, it will reward you with bright colours later in the year.
    Oreo is gorgeous, but then he knows that already,
    Bless you for sharing
    Chris #8

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  19. Ohhh, I used that 'toilet paper moulding technique' in my first year of blogging (I think) after I saw it at someones blog... totally forgot about it! What a lovely results you got, I love that 'weird face!!! Those little trees look lovely! I have some plants in pots on my balcony - I had 'big plans' to re-arrange the balcony and also buy new plants, but I need my dad's car and I also am a bit afraid to enter a greenery so it has to wait 'til next year. Enjoy your 'greens'!! Happy anniversary dear one, stay safe! Big hug from Holland. Marit #32

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  20. I actually gasped at your headline, Zsuzsa, given that we're still experiencing some difficulty getting TP supplies in our small town. I now can hardly wait to try this, though, and anticipate some great fun in the future. Lovely to see your post, and all your great photos. Oreo is looking very mature these days, I must say -a far cry from the kitten stage. ;-) Sending hugs from Canada!

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  21. Hi Zsuzsa, I recently use tissues over a stamp to mold - it was fun. I love your project. Our garden center opened again this week , i havent been yet ( bit scared to be honest) I used to loove looking round and my pots are in need of some flowers. Have a great week . Soojay #27

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  22. Happy belated WOYWW Anniversary! I have finished my marking so can now comment on blogs. What a good idea to use the tissue for moulding. I've never tried any form of moulding but the effects are wonderful. Take care my friend and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro x (#19)

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  23. Thanks for visiting, Zsuzsa, and for leaving two lovely comments! Glad you like my hubby's (long!) card! I so enjoyed making it that it didn't really seem to take that long. I laughed at your motto about UFOs - it was along the lines of "It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" lol! I know I shall finish some of them, at least. I suppose in all the years I've been creative, there are bound to be one or two that were absolute failures and were justifiably abandoned. Diana (Taylor) suggested I wallpapered the house with all the teabags - what a terrific idea, and why didn't I think of that?!! - I thought if I left the tea in them, it might double as insulation? Julia suggested I tackled a few at a time while sitting out in the garden, and that's a very good idea because it always makes a mess, however careful you are. Without the tea in them, I expect I could reduce them to one box! Thank you for all your good wishes too, for our wedding anniversary, my hubby's birthday and the kitties' birthday too. We had to wait till July to bring them home because they had to be 9 weeks old before they could leave their mother. I was so thrilled when the lady we got them from said they had been born on 24th May - I told her it was our wedding anniversary and we all agreed they were definitely destined to be with us!

    Shoshi x #20

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  24. WOW that's the lovely thing of visiting others desks we learn things. Must try the toilet paper thing, Hope the rhododendron picks up again, and well done on all the lovely plants you have grown and hope they are not to big,

    Lilian B #21

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  25. I love your moulded shapes with toilet paper, Zsuzsa! I would never have thought of using it for art, but it is definitely worth trying! It is also nice to see your plants growing and flourishing (BTW: our little avocado tree did not make it at the end, it had some infection: we did our best, but it did not help. We now try to grow a small chirimoya tree from the seeds of one fruit we bought in September...) Nice to see Oreo also and to know that you are all healthy!

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  26. Happy belated 11th WOYWW,Zsusza, isn't IT amazing!? 😊 and so grateful to have your friendship through it!
    Wonderful desky share too.. would never have thought of moulding toilet paper! But looks really great! Ah sad re rhododendron, it is a beauty, and very well done on all your seeded plants too. And handsome Oreo. 😊
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless and keep you and all whom you love safe and well.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X 7

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  27. Hi Zsusza.

    What a genius idea with the moulded loo-roll! I imagine it absorbs paint a bit like watercolour paper?
    Am now wondering (based on all the interest in the comments above) whether you will be responsible for a second wave of loo-roll shortages as we all get busy stock-piling it to turn into glorious works of art!
    Glad your desk is getting messy again. I love to see the things you make.

    Amelia :-)

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  28. Sorry I’m late! It’s a lovely pic of Oreo, it really does look as if you asked him to sit and pose for you! How well your seedlings have grown, crikey you have two potentially huge trees there, that’ll make your mark in the garden! I think the little moulded face is a bit freaky, but no less fun and arty for it, still a very clever bit of moulding if you ask me. And of course that deep turquoise with some metallic burnishing is recognisably you’re art, if you ask me!

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