3_The Nightmare Monster

Bad dreams lately? No more! Feed your monster and it will take them all away

Fernanda de Uriarte (c) 2011

Making time: 3 hours  (It takes a bit longer than previous posts but still it’s very easy to make)

You’ll need:

_Cut outs from magazines

_A box with lid attached; it will make the jaws of your monster! (mine is square, but any other shape would work as well)

_ Black felt tip pen

_A sheet of paper

_A compass or a circular object about 7cm in diameter to help you draw some circle sections.

_Scissors and glue stick

1. Start by choosing colours and textures you find interesting from your magazines. I wanted my monster to be full of textures and different colours so I picked these pages.

2. Split your cut outs in two groups, the first one, larger images, will make the body of the monster; we’ll use the second one to add details, this group can be made up of smaller textures and images. Make sure to leave a piece of paper large enough to cover the top of the box.

3. Tear the images in the first group in long strips. They don’t need to be perfect, in fact, the more irregular your strips are, the more scaly your monster will be.

4. Using the glue stick wrap the strips around the box, try to make every colour or texture go round at least once. Layer them on top of each other.

5. Keep adding strips all the way to the top. I chose a bright pink to make the inside of the mouth and an image of scales to cover the lid. Notice how the paper covering the lid is not straight; this helps give the monster a little more personality.

Fernanda de Uriarte (c) 2011

6. Pick the large piece of paper you reserved for the top and stick it, leaving an extra 5mm on each side. Fold the extras down and stick them on top of the last stripe of the body.

7. We’re done with the body, lets add some detail. Get the second group of magazine cut outs and cut some circles (use your scissors this time). Pick different colours and textures and cut the circles in different sizes.

8. Stick some of them on the top and some at the back of the monster… we’re giving it a spoted back!

Fernanda de Uriarte (c) 2011

9. Now we’re gonna make the eyes, my monster is sleeping so I’m gonna draw its eyes shut. Use your compass or the edge of your circular objetct and draw a curved line about 3cm long. Then add some straigh lines going out of the curve. These will make the eyelashes of the eyes. Repeat the process for the other eye.

10. Cut both eyes and stick them to the top of the lid.

11. If you want to add a funny detail, cut a drop like shape in the same paper you used to make the inside of the mouth and stick it in the back to resemble the uvula (the dangly thing at the back of your throat).

Fernanda de Uriarte (c) 2011

Done!!! Now, every time you are scared or have a bad dream, write it down, feed the monster and let it chew it away!

Fernanda de Uriarte (c) 2011

Sweet dreams.