How to Paint Marbled Paper Using Shaving Cream

Let's face it, playing with shaving cream is always fun, and having a beautiful craft to show for it gives you a good excuse. This activity is fun for children and adults alike. You can use the result for cards, book marks, or almost any other paper craft you can think of.

1. Apply a small amount of shaving cream to the pan (or use wax paper) so that you can make a layer that is a little wider than your card stock sheet and about 1/4 " (1.25 cm) thick.
   
   
2. Use the back of a squeegee (or you can use a ruler) to spread the shaving cream out to a nice even layer.
   
   
3. Drop 1 drop of each food colors or paint, evenly spread out, on the shaving cream layer.
   
   
4. Use a stick or toothpick to swirl through the shaving cream and color drops to spread the color out in streaks across the shaving cream.
   
   
5. Lay the cardstock on the shaving cream and gently press to make sure the cardstock contacts the colored areas.
   
   
6. Peel the cardstock off the shaving cream and lay on a clean area of the pan.
   
   
7. Scrape the squeegee (or edge of the ruler) across the cardstock to remove the shaving cream, leaving the color behind.
   
   
8. Set the painted cardstock aside to dry. If the paper starts to curve or curl, you may wish to put a book or pan on top to flatten it out before it dries.
   
   
9. Finished.
   
   

• If you find that the shaving cream sticks to the squeegee when you're spreading it, you can also use an icing knife.
• Use a paper towel or rag to clean off your squeegee after each use. Rinsing the squeegee and drying it also works well.
• If you are careful, you can swirl the shaving cream again after the first printing and use it again, possibly even 2 times. Over swirling causes the colors to grow blurry.

• Food colors can stain skin and clothing. Wear protective smocks or use washable paint if you're concerned about staining your clothes.

• Cookie sheet or low sided baking pan
• Shaving cream – foam, not gel
• Squeegee or Ruler
• Card stock cut so it fits in pan and is narrower than squeegee
• Liquid food colors or tempera paint, 2-4 colors
• A chopstick, craft stick, toothpick or plastic knife
• Optional: Paper towels or rags and water for clean up