Gel Matte Medium: My unconventional paper mache adventure!

So, here I am, elbow-deep in book pages and gel matte medium, attempting to create an astronaut helmet for my son's school dress-up day. The theme? What they want to be when they grow up.

Now, I haven't tackled paper mache since my own school days, so I'm pretty much winging it. Instead of the classic PVA glue or flour and water paste, I decided to experiment with gel matte medium. Why? Honestly, I had it on hand and it seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm about eleventy layers deep on this balloon, and while it seems to be holding up, I"m noy entirely convinced it won't fall apart.

The real kicker? Time is running out! This helmet needs to be ready for school tomorrow, and it still needs to dry before I can add a layer or two of white paint. I'm hoping to get it painted tonight so it's dry and set in the morning. Then, fingers crossed, I can finish it off with a hole for his head, a window for him to see, and the red letters reading 'NASA'.

Wish me luck - I think I'm going to need it!