Beautiful Temple Molds...are a beautiful way to decorate your house and remember the covenants you made. Join our Crafty Chic as we learn how to make these cotton temple molds.

By Lori Garcia, editor-in-chief

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY Easy PREP TIME 20 minutes EXPENSES Around $2-3 for supplies $11 for mold. We got our mold from MormonHandiCraft - NOTE: As of Oct 2002, they no longer sell these molds. WE FOUND A NEW SUPPLIER: Thanks to Janet Davis, Thyra Dykes, Amy Holt, and Shawneen Williams, for their emails telling us about a new distributor of terracotta temple molds -- www.cottonpress.com. At Cotton Press, you can find the following temple molds: -Los Angeles, CA Temple -Salt Lake, UT Temple -Portland, OR Temple -Nauvoo, IL Temple As of January 25, 2003, these temple molds cost around $11.99 excluding shipping. For more information about these molds, contact them at the following info: Cotton Press 731 North McCormick Way #2 Layton, Utah 84041 (800) 530-3410 (toll free) sales@cottonpress.com www.cottonpress.com

WHAT YOU'LL NEED -2 sheets of Cotton Paper (There are several different kinds: Handcast Cotton Paper from Mormon Handicraft or Strathmore Watercolor paper 300 series Acid-free archival quality from Hobby Lobby) One reader, Brenda, said her ward has used plain old toilet paper instead of expensive cotton paper. She said it works great, and she says, "the cheaper, the better." We at Mormonchic have not tested this, but it sounds like a great alternative. -Paper Additive 3/4 oz pkg (We used Handcast Cotton Paper Additive from a local hobby store) One reader, Brenda, told us that this additive was simply baking powder. She says it works great. -Blender -Sponge -Paper towels -Cooking Spray -Metal Strainer -Exacto Knife -Handi-wipes     -Terra Cotta Clay Molds - available at www.cottonpress.com. They carry the following temple molds: Los Angeles, CA Temple Portland, OR Temple Salt Lake, UT Temple Nauvoo, IL Temple  Cotton Press; 731 North McCormick Way #2; Layton, Utah 84041 (800) 530-3410 (toll free) sales@cottonpress.com www.cottonpress.com

STEP BY STEP 1. Condition the terra cotta mold to prevent the paper from sticking to the mold. Use cooking spray to spray the mold, then rinse it very well with warm water and dry with a paper towel. Note, after several uses, you may need to repeat this step. 3. Using a blender, tear one sheet of the cotton paper in one quart of cold water and let soak a few minutes. Add one rounded teaspoon of paper additive, turn on blender, cover and blend for one minute until you have a pulp mixture. The mixture should make 4 or 5 molds. 4. Use a strainer and drain off 1/3 of the water. Take about a cup of the pulp and scoop it into the mold. Spread evenly in the mold and over the edge with your finger tips. Press firmly into the details of the mold. 5. Remove the excess water from the pulp by laying a handi-wipe over the pulp and with a sponge press out water and wring out water from the sponge. Remove handi-wipe, then use a paper towel to remove more water. When all the water is removed from pulp, place mold on a small terry towel and place in microwave. (NOTE, be careful not to over heat your mold and towel. When we tried this project a towel actually caught on fire...so be very careful, especially if you are doing this project with youth.) 6. Heat on high for two minutes, then open door and let steam escape for about a minute. Heat mold again for one more minute. Remove from microwave using the towel or pot holder. It will be very hot, so be very careful not to burn yourself. Let cool for a few minutes. 7. Using an exacto knife, carefully go around the paper edge and gently loosen the paper from the mold until it lifts off easily. Lay your paper mold cast on a flat surface to cool. 8. When it's cooled, decorate the paper casting with glitter, paints, pearls, beads, etc. Some people even like to frame them in a picture frame to hang on the wall.