Special Reports

A Pumpkin To Keep For Years

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

October 24, 2001 / 2:03 PM EDT / CBS

This Halloween, your jack-o-lantern could take on a completely different look. Instead of meticulously carving a real pumpkin, consider making a few Halloween pumpkins and other crafts with papier-mâché.

Traditionally carved pumpkins are a Halloween staple, but unfortunately, they only last a few days. This Halloween why not make papier-mâché jack-o-lanterns, scary cats and ghoulish ghosts that will last for years.

Martha Stewart explains on The Early Show how papier-mâché is made by mixing paper pulp or shreds of paper glue or paste. The mixture then can be molded onto a form or into a shape while wet. Once dry and hard, the sculpture is then ready for painting and varnish.

Making cutouts in your papier-mâché masterpiece is called decoupage.

With papier-mâché, there is a less of a mess and more creative options. And the result won't rot like a regular pumpkin. With proper care, it is possible to keep papier-mâché decorations for years.

As with real pumpkins, the papier-mâche pumpkins can be illuminated with either votive candles or electric lights. If using votives, it is extremely important to make sure the top of the sculpture is wide enough to prevent any possible contact with the flame.

It is also important to leave enough time, for it can take up to 12 hours for the papier-mâché to dry completely.

Instructions

Make wheat paste by mixing 1 part powder to 4 parts water.

Cut tissue-paper (light orange and dark orange) into 3/4 inch strips with paper cutter.

Inflate a balloon on a recycled jar.

With a 1-inch craft brush, coat the balloon with wheat paste.

Apply strips of tissue paper vertically on balloon.

First make 2 layers of dark orange tissue-paper

Then 2 layers of light orange tissue-paper

Brush wheat paste on balloon in between each layer.

Hang balloons to dry on clothes line for at least 12 hours.

With a pencil, draw cut-out circles from the top and the bottom of the balloon as well as the jack-o lantern design.

Pop balloon.

Cut out circles and design with small sharp pointed scissors

Back Jack-o-lantern cut-out with a circle of light orange tissue-paper, taped to the inside.

To make stem:

Wrap 3 pieces of paper covered floral ends around a crumpled ball of tissue-paper and push wires through top circle of Jack-o-lantern.

Secure with green floral tape

For tendrils, make pencil curls with loose wire ends

Light with a votive candle or battery-operated light