Craft Ideas: Pumpkin Basket

For some Jack-0-Lantern fun, mould a paper and paste pumpkin. This sturdy little pumpkin can hold popcorn for a pumpkin party or be a home for a paper puppet mouse. Miniature ones make party favours.

You will need: A bucket or bowl for the base form. (A cup for a small one.)  Several sheets of newsprint or newspaper, and flour and water for paste.  Brushes and orange tempera paint, scissors, glue, a strip of black paper and a piece of green for the stem and leaf.  If you want a lid, choose a saucer or plate that will fit on the base container.

Here’s how:

Mould the pumpkin:

• Use your hand or a brush to spread Flour Moulding Paste* over a sheet of newspaper.
• Cover the pasted sheet with another sheet of newspaper to make a paper “sandwich”.
• Turn the bucket or bowl over and mold this damp paper over it. Smooth down, using a rubber band or string to hold it in place. Paint with orange tempera paint.
• Let dry overnight. Remove the rubber band and trim off excess paper around edge.

For a lid:

• Spread paste over half a sheet of newspaper. Fold the other half over to make the “sandwich”.
• Smooth this damp paper around the saucer, and paint. Let dry and trim to fit pumpkin.
• Form a stem by rolling a paper around your finger, and gluing together. Cut out a leaf and glue stem and leaf to lid.

Add a Jack-O-Lantern face:

• From a 1" to 2" wide strip of black paper cut 3 squares and 1 rectangular piece. Trim the square pieces to form eyes, and nose. Use the rectangular one to shape the mouth. Don’t forget the teeth! Glue to finished pumpkin.

*FLOUR MOULDING PASTE (Store in container in fridge)

Instant Paste: Mix together ½ cup flour and ½ cup water until it makes a thick creamy paste. Add more flour or water as necessary.

Cooked Paste: For a smoother paste stir together ½ cup flour and 2 cups water.  Heat mixture until it boils and stir until thick.