Halloween Paper-Mache Pumpkins

I made a paper mache pumpkin a while back that was a O.K. but wanted to see if I could improve on it. I found this amazing sites all over Pinterest to research on different ideas and tried it again!!

So one tip I found was that stuffing plastic bags and then taping it into the shape wanted allowed more options of the shapes of pumpkins instead of my first try with the old school balloon idea I grew up with. I also rolled up light cardboard (an old cereal box) and taped it on for the stem.

Now Both pumpkins all stuffed with paper and plastic. The outside all taped up and stem in place, it is time for the "paper-mache" time. I use basic white glue and watered it down. The paper was just cut into strips. And lots and lots of layers. (I had it placed on a cookie rack over a cookie sheet just in case the gluey water dripped.)

One pumpkin down, one to go!

After a lot of glue, water, paper and time - Two pumpkins are done and ready to dry!!! The hardest part!! Waiting for them to dry!!!

It took almost two full weeks for these guys to dry!!! But now time to start the fun!!!

Draw on the face first! I picked up cheap molding clay from the dollar store and have more empty boxes to add to the face. I am hoping to add some depth to the face.

I cut out the areas for the face. I then cut the light cardboard and kind of wrapped it around the edges of each cut out and taped it into place. Once the cardboard was secure I started adding in the molding clay.

* Quick note. In this pumpkin, because I was so excited about the front face that I didn't consider the weight the clay added. It made this pumpkin face heavy and i ended up having to weigh down the back side with a rock on the inside. I kicked myself for not realizing that ahead of time.

But it does look good with another layer of paper-mâché

After letting him dry again!! Ugh!! Waiting......... Again!

I used acrylic paint to give him his colouring. I blacked out the inside of the "ledges". I finally watered down some black paint for that drip look.

I then turned him upside down and cut a hole to pull the stuffing out.

* Another learning tip - the hole I cut was too large which didn't allow for as much support in the end!!!

But it is all about learning I guess.

I finished him off with a clear glaze to set the paint. Here he is. Not to bad!!!

Time time to start the next pumpkin. This one I added another step by doing another layer on the bottom and lower side to make the base stronger.

Face is taped up and now to add the clay

A silly face this time

The top layer added and back to the dreaded waiting...........

Time for some Painting fun!!!

The eye ball was just a plastic golf ball we had laying around. LOL!!

I added cheese cloth the to inside of the eye. Saw the idea for this from one of the posts I got my ideas from.

Now he has had his spray paint clear coating is all glossed up. Now I just add a flameless candle via the hole cut out in the bottom and he ready to go!!!

The pumpkins take a long time, but they can be so fun. And they are great to adding a bit more to your decorations.