All these projects were made using the same technique. Cardboard, plastic bottles, paper towels and glue! Deformities are normal so expect that.
Paper Mache Pumpkin DIY
Looking for a creative, hands-on project to spice up your Halloween décor? Making your own paper mache pumpkins is a fun and eco-friendly way to craft unique decorations. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle old materials like newspaper, plastic bags, and paper scraps. With a little glue, some paper, and a few easy steps, you’ll have a charming pumpkin that can be painted and customized any way you like!
SUPPLIES
– A plastic garbage bag, draw string top
– Paper scraps (newspaper, paper towels, wrapping paper, etc.)
– Old plastic bags or other filler materials
– String and masking tape
– White school glue (Elmer’s glue)
– Water
– A bowl for mixing glue
– Scissors
– A toilet paper roll (for the stem)
– acrylic paint for detailing your pumpkin
Step 1: Create the Pumpkin Form
First, grab your plastic bag and fill it with paper scraps, old plastic bags, or other recyclable filler materials. This will form the core of your pumpkin. You can adjust the size of the pumpkin by adding more or less filler. Want a bigger pumpkin? Stuff it fuller!
Once you’re happy with the size, seal the top of the plastic bag by tying the drawstring in a knot or using a rubber band to keep the filler inside.
Step 2: Shape the Pumpkin
To give your bag the classic ridged pumpkin shape, you’ll need some string or masking tape. Wrap the string around the bag, starting from the top where it’s tied and moving down toward the bottom. Create sections, much like slicing a pie, by wrapping the string in different directions. Each time you make a pass, pull the string tight to form those iconic pumpkin ridges.
If you’re using masking tape, follow the same method: Tape around the bag from the top to the bottom, creating “pie-like” sections that mimic the natural grooves of a pumpkin.
**Tip:** To secure the string or tape better, tie a knot at the top of the bag after each pass.
Step 3: Add the Stem
For a realistic pumpkin stem, grab a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Cut slits into one end of the roll, about ¾ of an inch apart, and bend the cut tabs outward. These tabs will help anchor the stem to the top of your pumpkin.
Place the toilet paper roll on top of the bag where all the strings or tape are tied together. Use masking tape to secure it in place, covering the stem and the top of the pumpkin. This will give your pumpkin a more finished and sturdy look.
Step 4: Prepare the Paper Mache Mixture
Now, it’s time to prepare the paper mache mixture. In a bowl, mix 2 parts white school glue (Elmer’s glue) and one part water. Stir the mixture until it’s smooth and well-blended. This 2:1 ratio of glue to water will allow the paper to stick well to your form while also drying stiff and strong.
**Tip:** If you want a sturdier pumpkin, wood glue dries really hard if you want to add a little to your mixture.
Step 5: Cover the Pumpkin in Paper Mache
Take your newspaper, paper towels, or any other type of scrap paper, and rip them into strips. The strips should be about 1-2 inches wide and long enough to cover the pumpkin’s surface comfortably.
Dip each strip into the glue-water mixture, making sure it’s fully soaked, but don’t let it drip excessively. Start applying the soaked strips of paper onto the plastic bag form. Cover the entire pumpkin, including the stem, layering the strips as you go. Make sure to smooth out the paper to avoid air bubbles.
Let each layer dry slightly before adding another—about 10-15 minutes between layers. Depending on how sturdy you want your pumpkin to be, 2-3 layers of paper should be enough.
Step 6: Let It Dry
Once you’ve covered your pumpkin in paper mache, set it aside to dry. It’s important to be patient here—your pumpkin will need at least 24 hours to dry fully. You can place it in a sunny spot or near a fan to help speed up the drying process.
Step 8: Paint and Decorate!
Now that your paper mache pumpkin is dry, it’s time to bring it to life with some paint! Start by painting the entire pumpkin in your chosen shade of orange. You can mix yellow and red to get the perfect pumpkin color, or even experiment with lighter or darker shades for a more whimsical effect.
For the stem, paint it brown or green for a realistic touch. Once the base coat is dry, feel free to add details like shading, highlights, or even fun facial expressions to give your pumpkin personality.
### Step 9: Seal and Finish
After your pumpkin is painted and fully dry, you can add a layer of clear acrylic sealer to protect your work and give it a long-lasting finish. A matte finish will give it a natural look, while a glossy finish will make it pop!
*Have fun crafting, and happy Halloween! 🎃**
Spooky Tree DIY
If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to spook up your Halloween décor, making your own paper mache Halloween tree is a fantastic project! You don’t need many supplies, and the result is a spooky tree perfect for setting the Halloween mood. Follow along, and you’ll have a creepy centerpiece in no time.
*This craft was created by the fantastic artist, Sharon Ojala. The youtube tutorial video in in the playlist video box below. She is a master!
SUPPLIES:
– A base for the tree: A plastic water bottle, coffee can, potato chip can, or rolled-up piece of cardboard works great!
– White school glue (like Elmer’s) and water for the paper mache mix (2:1 ratio).
– Paper towels and newspaper, or copy paper/brown paper bags for the paper mache.
– Acrylic paint for painting the tree.
– Aluminum foil for creating the tree’s texture and branches
-Masking Tape to cover the foil as a base for the paper towels and paint.
-Optional craft wire** for extra branch support.
Step 1: Create the Tree Base
Start by choosing your base material. A coffee can, potato chip can, or even a sturdy roll of cardboard will be the trunk of your tree. If you’re using cardboard, simply roll it into a cylinder and tape it closed to hold the shape. Place this on a stable surface, like an old piece of cardboard, so your tree doesn’t wobble while you work on it.
Step 2: Add Branches with Aluminum Foil
Now, let’s give our tree some spooky branches. Tear off strips of paper or aluminum foil and twist them into branch-like shapes. Attach these foil branches to the top of your tree trunk using masking tape or glue. You can twist them into different shapes to make them look extra gnarly and twisted—perfect for a haunted tree!
If you want your branches to be longer or more detailed, you can wrap craft wire inside the aluminum foil to help support and shape them.
Step 3: Prepare the Paper Mache Mixture
In a bowl, mix 2 parts white school glue and 1 part water to create your paper mache paste. Stir it until it’s fully combined and smooth. This paste will help the paper you use to form your tree stick and harden nicely.
Step 4: Cover the Tree with Paper Mache
Now, tear your paper towels into small strips. Dip each strip into the glue-water mixture and smooth it onto your tree trunk and branches. Make sure to cover every part of the tree, including the aluminum foil branches.
Use the paper towels to build up texture and give your tree an authentic, bark-like feel. Crumple and twist the paper towels for rough, raised areas, especially around the base of the tree and the branches. You can even wrap the paper strips in different directions to create a gnarly, twisted bark effect.
Once the entire tree is covered, let it dry completely. This might take several hours or even overnight, depending on how thick the layers are.
Step 5: Create the Tree’s Roots
For extra spookiness, give your tree some creepy, spreading roots! Take more aluminum foil and shape it into root-like extensions at the base of your tree. Cover these roots with paper mache strips just like the trunk and branches.
Step 6: Paint the Tree
After your paper mache has fully dried, it’s time to bring your spooky tree to life with paint! Start by covering the entire tree with black or dark brown acrylic paint as the base coat. This will give your tree a spooky, shadowy appearance perfect for Halloween.
Once the base coat is dry, you can add extra details. Use lighter shades of brown or gray to highlight the ridges and textures of the bark. Dry brushing (where you use very little paint on a brush to lightly go over the surface) is a great technique to make the tree look more aged and realistic.
For the final touch, paint the tips of the branches and roots with eerie shades like green, purple, or even glow-in-the-dark paint to make your haunted tree really stand out in the dark.
Step 7: Add Final Details
If you want to make your tree extra spooky, you can glue on fake spiders, hang small Halloween ornaments, or even attach mini bats to the branches. Get creative!
Step 8: Display Your Spooky Tree
Once your tree is completely dry and painted, it’s ready to take center stage at your Halloween party or on your front porch! Add flickering candles, cobwebs, or other creepy accessories around it to complete the haunted look.
Have Fun with Your Halloween Tree!
This DIY spooky Halloween tree is perfect for adding a creepy vibe to your décor, and it’s a fun, hands-on project you can customize in any way you want. Make it small for a table centerpiece or go big for a dramatic yard decoration.
There is a DIY Halloween video playlist below for your enjoyment and free clip art for you to download.
BAKING SODA PAINT RECIPE
Materials
- 1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda
- 1 cup of Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brush
- Old Vase or Glass Jar
- Paper Plate or plastic cup
FREE CLIP ART!
Have a wonderful Halloween everyone! Let me know if you need any more graphics. I have 8 TB so I’m happy to email you some if you need anything. Big hugs from the Berkshires!
Love,
Mrs. Chipps
**BONUS Project: DIY Ghosts
Halloween is a time for creativity, and one of the easiest and most fun decorations to make are floating fabric ghosts. Using old sheets, white PVA glue (like Elmer’s), and a few simple supplies, you can create hauntingly cute (or spooky!) ghosts to add to your Halloween décor. This craft is perfect for all ages, and the end result will look as though your ghost is floating in mid-air!
SUPPLIES:
– Old white fabric (an old sheet or muslin works great)
– White PVA glue (Elmer’s glue)
– Water
– A plastic bottle or similar object for the ghost’s body
– Aluminum foil (for the ghost’s head)
– A paintbrush or sponge
– Black acrylic paint (for the ghost’s face)
– Scissors
– A bowl for mixing the glue and water
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Form for the Ghost
To start, you’ll need a form to shape your ghost. Take a plastic bottle—this will be the “body” of your ghost. For the head, crumple a ball of aluminum foil and place it on top of the bottle. You can tape it down if necessary to make sure it stays in place. The bottle helps provide the shape and height of your ghost, while the aluminum foil gives it a nice rounded head.
Step 2: Mix the Glue Solution
Next, mix equal parts of white PVA glue (Elmer’s glue) and water in a bowl. Stir it well to combine. This glue mixture will help stiffen the fabric, so your ghost holds its shape once it dries.
**Tip:** The ratio of glue to water should be 1:1. If you want a stiffer ghost, you can add more glue to the mixture.
Step 3: Soak the Fabric
Cut a piece of your old sheet to the desired size for your ghost. For a medium-sized ghost, a square of about 18-24 inches should work well, but feel free to adjust based on how big or small you’d like your ghost to be.
Dip the fabric into the glue-water mixture, ensuring it’s completely saturated. Gently wring it out to remove any excess glue solution, but be careful not to squeeze out too much. You want the fabric to still be wet and pliable.
Step 4: Shape the Ghost
Now for the fun part—creating the ghost! Drape the wet, glue-soaked fabric over the aluminum foil and plastic bottle form. Allow the fabric to naturally fall and fold to give the ghost a flowing, spooky appearance. Make sure it drapes in a way that gives the impression of a floating, ethereal ghost.
For extra flair, you can adjust the fabric to create little arms by pinching the sides or letting the fabric bunch up near the bottom to make it appear as though it’s floating just above the ground.
Step 5: Let It Dry
Once your ghost is shaped just the way you like it, leave it in a dry area to harden. This process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours depending on the size and thickness of the fabric.
**Tip:** To speed up the drying process, you can place the ghost near a fan or in a well-ventilated space. Just make sure not to disturb its shape until it’s fully dry and stiff.
Step 6: Paint the Face
After your ghost is completely dry and has stiffened, it’s time to give it a personality! Using black acrylic paint, paint two eyes and a mouth (or any expression you like) onto the fabric. You can keep it simple with a classic spooky face or get creative with different facial expressions.
Let the paint dry for about an hour.
Step 7: Display Your Ghost!
Once your ghost is finished, you can remove the plastic bottle and aluminum foil. Your fabric should now hold its ghostly shape all on its own! Hang it from the ceiling, place it on a table, or display it in a window to give your home a delightfully spooky atmosphere for Halloween.
Tips and Variations:
– **Hanging Ghosts:** For a floating effect, attach a string to the top of your ghost’s head and hang it from the ceiling or tree branches outdoors.
– **Glowing Ghosts:** Try placing an LED tea light under the ghost to make it glow at night.
– **Colored Fabric:** While white is traditional for ghosts, experiment with light gray or pale pastel colors for a more whimsical look.
– **Multiple Sizes:** Create a whole family of ghosts by varying the sizes of the fabric and forms you use. Smaller ghosts can be made with smaller bottles and less fabric.
This simple and fun DIY Halloween project is sure to impress your family and friends while adding a unique handmade touch to your holiday décor. So, grab some old sheets, mix up some glue, and get ready to craft some spooky fabric ghosts to haunt your home this season! Happy crafting! 🎃