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PROJECTS
Pumpkin Patch Topiaries
Designed By: Kathleen George
Typical Project Completion Time: 2-4 hours
(does not include drying time)
| MATERIALS NEEDED: |
STYROFOAM* Brand Products:
Balls, two 5"; one 4"
Other Materials:
Crepe paper, orange
Decoupage medium
Acrylic craft paint, black
Twisted paper, green
Floral tape, green
Wooden dowel, 4" x 3-1/16"
Terra cotta pots: two 4" wide, different heights; one 3-1/2" wide
Utility knife with sharp blade
Serrated knife
Old candle
Wooden skewer or chop sticks, 3
Soupspoon
Marker
Pencil
Paintbrushes: flat; small, pointy tip
Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks |
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Download pattern (56K pdf)
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| INSTRUCTIONS: |
| 1. Using marking pen, make a dot at the center top and bottom of foam ball. Mark six evenly space dots around the center, 2-1/2" apart for the 5-inch ball, or 2" apart for the 4-inch ball. To divide the pumpkin into sections, stretch rubber band around ball, lining it up with the top and bottom dots and one of the center dots. Following the edge of the rubber band, draw a line on the foam ball. Repeat, moving the rubber band to align with each center dot, until all six sections are marked. |
| 2. Using a craft knife, cut a shallow V-shape long the length of each section line. Smooth and shape indentations with your fingertips. |
| 3. Using serrated knife, cut a small slice from the top and bottom of pumpkin to flatten. Cut at a slight angle for a more natural look. (HINT: Wax the knife blade with an old candle for easier, smother cutting.) |
| 4. Using pencil, poke a 1/2-inch hole for stem in center top of pumpkin. |
| 5. Brush pumpkin with soft brush to remove loose particles. Rub surface smooth with the bottom of the spoon. |
| 6. Insert wooden skewer or chop stick into bottom of pumpkin to use as a handle. Using pattern, cut out six pieces of crepe paper per pumpkin. Generously spread decoupage medium over one section of the pumpkin; place crepe piece on glue and brush with decoupage medium, brushing firmly and carefully to smooth out wrinkles. Continue working on one section at a time until pumpkin is covered (it's alright if crepe paper pieces overlap; this will help define the indentations). Push extra paper into hole at top of pumpkin. Let dry. |
| 7. Following patterns, lightly trace faces on pumpkins with a pencil. Paint features with black acrylic paint. |
| 8. Cut wooden dowel on an angle into three pieces; twist floral tape around each piece, covering completely. Using pattern, cut leaves from paper twist; twist stems of leaves into points. To make tendrils, tightly twist a 6" length of floral tape into a thin string. Wrap the tendril tightly around a pencil or a wooden skewer, making it curl. Push the stem, a leaf and a tendril into the hole at the top of each pumpkin; secure with glue. |
| 9. To make vines, wrap floral tape around the twisted stem of a leaf; cut tape, leaving a 6" tail. Tightly twist extra tape, forming a long stem. Using floral tape, connect long stems of two or three leaves, creating a vine. Add tendrils, following instructions in Step 8. |
| 10. Glue pumpkins in pots, tilting each one slightly to exaggerate expressions. Glue vines cascading from pots. Glue on extra leaves, if desired. |
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