crafts, diy projects, fall, halloween, kids, party decor

DIY: Papier Mache Pumpkins

These papier mache pumpkins are great for the avid decorator or kids antsy to get going on the carving.  Since real pumpkins go bad within a couple weeks, here’s an alternative that can be done in early October that lasts forever (well, at least through the season).  Instead of cutting a jack-o-lantern face (like the above), these pumpkins can be left plain or painted to add festive decor to the home throughout the fall.  Below you’ll find my 4-step DIY and more pictures.

Materials needed:

  • Orange Tissue Paper – cut in 1″ strips
  • Black, Brown + Green Tissue Paper (to accessorize)
  • Latex Balloons
  • Rope + Clothespins (to hang the balloons)
  • Mod Podge + Water Mixture (or your own papier mache mix)
  • Paint Brush
  • Scissors
  • Battery operated lights

1. Cut orange tissue paper in 1″ strips. Mix equal parts mod podge and water in a jar or bowl.  Blow up balloons to desired pumpkin size and secure with clothespins to a line or rope. All set? Go!

2. Using your paintbrush, moisten one side of a tissue paper strip with the mod podge mixture and place the wet side down on the balloon. Now paint the other side with the mix. Continue until the balloon is covered. I like to layer my strips on top of each other which guarantees a sturdier pumpkin. Note: If you’re going to do just one layer of tissue paper, make sure to go very lightly with the mod podge mix to ensure the balloon does not stay secured to the tissue paper once dried.

3. Hang to dry for 24 hours.

4. Puncture the top of the balloon with scissors, allow balloon to deflate and then remove from pumpkin. Use your scissors to cut out a jack-o-lantern face. Add leaves and vines made of green tissue paper, and brown tissue paper for the top. As you’ll see below, I also painted one of my plain pumpkins with gold acrylic paint. To light up the pumpkins,  I cut a small hole in the back and added battery operated lights to make them glow at night.

Happy crafting!


 

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