My Paper Mache Pumpkin

Pumpkins are grown in southern Arizona, there's some really nice pumpkin patches too. This year we won't make it to one. I'll just get back from a Missouri wedding before Halloween. But this past September I decided to make a pumpkin to last for YEARS!

I went searching through yahoo images and came up with a few great ideas. I was thinking about those vintage german paper mache pumpkins with the silly faces. I saw lot's of folks making really cool pumpkins.
I got the general idea how to start and the trash bag part and the paper mache too,
but paper clay is new to me.
I found a lovely website on a sculpture artist who creates her own paper clay.
Her site is called "Ultimate Paper Clay" You can find a recipe here.
She does some beautiful sculptures pf animals. You'll enjoy the visit.

(D'oh! pictorial, but illustrated would be a better word)

I let the pumpkin dry for two weeks. Look often for developing mold, and kill it. A wipe with bleach works.

Spray painting is ok to stop at and enjoy the piece, but I painted yellow and orange highlights later that evening. I also painted green into the stem and brought in some green leaves left over from my topiary project. Some floral wire and I'm good to go. I didn't do the vintage style after all, but I like the pumpkin. Since I'll have it for years... I could dress it up differently each holiday season.

Thanks for the visit, this post is number 1 in my Halloween segment.
Please see all 4 crafts. at "Handmade Halloween".
Boo!