The Greatest Piñata Ever Made, Part 8

Alternate Title: How to get two giant piñata parts to stick together (and stay that way), part 1.

Step 1: Position the cardboard.

In this picture, I've already attached the front of the palate to the head, and papier-mâchéd it into place . . . so it's the back half of the palate I'll be attaching. Check that everything actually fits how you think it will (I had to make some last-minute cuts because I'd mismeasured the very back of the head, apparently . . . good to know before you start gluing).

Step 2: Get your materials ready.

These pieces of cardboard are big, and since the office is closed, I can't phone Kent to come help me (if something goes wrong). So that means pre-torn strips of duct tape, white glue poured into a bowl with spreading-knife in place, and everything positioned in such a way that I can get at and around it with one hand should the other hand be preoccupied.

Step 3: Spread the glue.

(I actually managed to, by myself, take photos of holding down the flaps with one hand and spreading glue with the other . . . and wouldn't you know it, they were corrupted on the danged memory card! Gah!)

Get every flap covered with glue. Don't worry about any fancy epoxies . . . for cardboard, simple white glue spread over the whole contact surface (not too thick) is usually plenty.

Step 4: Hold down the fort (flaps).

I use duct tape to hold the cardboard flaps in place while the glue dries. After everything is dried I take the duct tape back off (and replace it with papier-mâché), but for now the adhesive tape will help make sure the flaps are securely glued together.

Having glued and taped everything together, and having ensured that the tape is secure enough to hold while the glue dries, you can walk away.

Step 5: Wait.

The glue has to dry, and you have to go pick up the last part of your mom's birthday present. So come back to the piñata tomorrow.


Less than two weeks until the picnic!