PROJECTS

Dancing Pumpkin Trio
Designed By: Kathleen George

Typical Project Completion Time: 2-4 hours
(does not include drying time)

MATERIALS NEEDED: STYROFOAM* Brand Products: 2 - Eggs, 6" 1 - Ball, 5" 2 - Balls, 4" Other Materials: Rubber bands Crepe paper: orange, green and brown Acrylic decoupage medium 6 - Black chenille stems 2 - 1/2" dia. Wooden dowels, 3-1/2" long 4 - 3/8" dia. Wooden dowels, 5" long Acrylic paint: orange, black 3 - Orange beads, 7/16" to 1/2" (noses) Fiberfill, small amount Thread, green Serrated knife Wooden spoon Sharp pencil Chopsticks or wooden skewers Paint brushes: one with wide, soft bristles and one with small, pointed bristles Low temperature glue and glue sticks

Download pattern (20K pdf)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Being to shape the pumpkins: Cut a 3/8" slice from top and bottom of two foam eggs and 5" foam ball. Use handle of wooden spoon or chop stick to push a 1/2" deep hole in each end; rotate the tool to enlarge the edges of the hole.

2. Wrap three rubber bands around each pumpkin, creating six equal sections. Using sharp pencil, mark along the edges of the rubber bands. Following the indentations, use the handle of the wooden spoon to define the sections of the pumpkins. Gently rub the spoon over any rough edges.

3. Insert wooden dowel or chop stick into bottom of pumpkins; this will serve as your handle while covering the pumpkins. Using pattern, cut out six pieces of orange crepe paper for each pumpkin. Working on one section at a time, brush a generous coat of decoupage medium onto the pumpkin; place a piece of crepe paper on the pumpkin. Carefully brush on more medium, gently removing wrinkles and air bubbles as you go. Press excess crepe paper into the holes at the top and bottom of the pumpkins. Continue, working one section at a time, until pumpkins are completely covered. Let dry.

4. Cut the 4" balls in half; the half-balls serve as the stands for the pumpkins (you will have one half left-over for a future project). Following Step 3, cover half-balls with 1-1/2" wide strips of brown crepe paper. Let dry.

5. Paint dowels (legs) orange. Let dry.

6. Cut a 6" wide length of brown crepe paper. Roll strip very tightly, gluing several times as you roll. Keep rolling until tube is 1/2" in diameter. Cut into three lengths. Squeeze glue into hole in top of each pumpkin, insert stem; cut off top of stem at an angle.

7. Attach the legs: Make holes in bottom of pumpkins and tops of bases by gently poking through crepe paper with the point of a sharp pencil. Place glue in prepared holes; insert 5" legs into egg pumpkins and 3-1/2" legs into ball pumpkin. Insert legs into prepared holes in bases.

8. Make arms: Wrap orange crepe paper several times around chenille stems; glue several times while folding. Place a small amount of fiberfill in center of a 3" square of green crepe paper. Place a dot of glue on the end of one arm and wrap the green "hand" up and over the end of the chenille arm. Tie a green thread around the hand to secure it to the arm.

9. Poke a small hole in the side of the pumpkin. Fold over the ends of one crepe paper arm; place glue in prepared hole and push the end of the arm into the hole. Repeat with remaining arms. Let dry. Pose arms as desired.

10. Paint pumpkin face. Glue on orange bead for nose.

11. Using patterns, cut out leaves from green crepe paper. Stretch edges of leaves to make them wavy; glue leaves to top and base of pumpkins.

Form No. 179-01217

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