Does anyone have any ideas on how to make a paper mache (sp?) pumpkin for Halloween? Instead of buying a pumpkin I'd like to make some that I can keep and reuse. Any ideas would be welcome.
When I was a kid in school we made paper mache maps.with the mountians and all. We cut up newspaper really small. Then we added liquid starch. You could maybe form this around a balloon then b=give it the ridges that pumpkins have. some recipes call for white glue. www.buzzle.com/
When I was in elementary school about 100 years ago, we made Easter baskets like this.
Blow up a balloon and tie a knot in the end.
Take any pretty color string and saturate it with Elmers glue.
Maybe you could make a pumpkin this way, too.
I think your question is great and if you get an answer, I hope you will post it.
The thing about the balloon and string thing is getting the right shape. Do they sell round shaped balloons?
Good luck from Smoochie
I second the balloon idea. once the initial papier mache form is dry, pop the balloon, glue the bendy bits of drinking straws on vertically at intervals and papier mache over them and then start putting more strips on to give it a more pumpkin-y shape.
Use the balloon and string idea from above but modify it.
Blow up a balloon. Tie string around it, top to bottom at regular intervals making string a little snug so it will form ridges like on a pumpkin. Using thin tissue paper and watered down glue or flour paste (probably wouldn't keep well and might bring bugs, so elmer's type would be good, though there are recipes for making that on web too), form a paper shell over ridged balloon.
I have never had a problem with flour paste, but watered down white glue is a lot simpler and easier.
Newspaper torn in strips works just fine, but then you have to paint it. Tissue paper can be the color you want -- no painting necessary-- but will stain your hands. Of course, the tissue paper is more expensive as well.
Blow up a large round balloon. Cover it with piece of wet paper, When the paper drys, paint it orange. You now have a orange pumpkin.
This guy is a wonderful and he gives you all the instructions And yes this is papier-mâché
www.stolloween.com for complete tutorials
I just wanted to add that I tried using twine to make the ridges last year and had no luck. It kept slipping. Please post pics when you are finished I cant wait to see what you come up with!
