Thread: pumpkins

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Hey guys, I was just wondering if it would be cheaper to make paper mache pumpkins or to go buy those plastic carvable pumpkins. I want to put alot of pumpkins outside my haunt so I don't know if paper mache is the way to go. Also does anyone know where to get some cheap carvable pumkins.

Paper maché is cheaper, but more time consuming, the funkins (foam carveable pumpkins) are faster, but more expensive.

I know you can pick them up cheaply right after Halloween in clearance, but that won't help you much this year.

Here is one of the best tutorials I've found:
Giant Paper Mache Jackolanterns :: Spooky Blue

I still prefer going old school on pumpkins - I get real ones and carve them with regular scary/funny faces and use real candles with a little bit of cinnamon rubbed into the lid for that lovely burnt pumpkin pie scent. It just isn't Halloween to me without the smell of burning pumpkins!

I would definitely vote papier mache, I mean, you have 229 days or something like that right? I have a Pumpkin heavy theme this year, so I am having to kick out a bunch.... right now, i have 4 going at a time, and that means it will only take me about 5 to 6 nights of putting one layer of mache on each, and letting them dry overnight, and I will have 4 pumpkins by the weekend.

Trashbag, newspaper, flour, water, glue... can't beat that for cheap, and the possibilities are endless for decorating them.

Good luck in whatever you decide, I hope its fun for you!

Yes i've definitely seen those pumpkins from Spooky Blue.

I think i will have a mix of pumpkins. If i find some cheap "funkins" then I will jump at the chance.

You can get something similar to funkins at Micheal's but they aren't quite as nice as the funkins. They are cheaper though and you can get them on sale or use coupons they run weekly in the paper. I like them fairly well. I still do real pumpkins but it is nice to keeping adding to them every year. I love having lots and it gets expensive with real ones. A plus side of doing paper mache is they can each be unique. That is one of the downsides of funkins...there are a limited number of designs.

You could grow em?

I remember a site where a guy sorta compressed a big balloon to bulge out like a pumpkin, sprayed it with foam to form the ribbing, cleaned it up, painted it and had a pumpkin.

I want to say it was on the monster projects list...not sure.

I was in the same boat. I needed a lot of pumpkins. I made a paper mache one it came out great but to time consuming. I came up with another way which was quicker and easier. Take a wall-mart bag fill it with news paper to the size you want duck tape it closed. Then take duct tape and cover the pumpkin. go down first then across then down then across. 4 layers is needed or else it will collapse. Then you can cut out the face you need. I made several of these and they came out great. I also made this one the same way but instead of cutting it I added carpet latex glue to paper towles. I made eyes, nose and mouth. When it dries it will give it an awesome texture that is already weather proof. Either way it will take 30-1 hour to make. Much faster and easier.

Originally Posted by dixie

Right now, i have 4 going at a time, and that means it will only take me about 5 to 6 nights of putting one layer of mache on each, and letting them dry overnight, and I will have 4 pumpkins by the weekend.

Dixie, I want to do the same thing. Need to get started. How thick is each layer you are doing?

Originally Posted by csusb44

Yes i've definitely seen those pumpkins from Spooky Blue.

I think i will have a mix of pumpkins. If i find some cheap "funkins" then I will jump at the chance.

I've been looking for inexpensive funkins, but I can't find them anywhere. No one has them locally right now, and ordering them online means you git hit with shipping that usually negates any cost savings. Please let me know if you find something.

The Funkins are by far the best imitation pumpkin out there and the best for carving intricate designs but yes are more expensive. Of course they last forever. The Michaels pumpkins are way cheaper and work good if you are doing a simple design without alot of intricate detail. I have many of each type so it depends on what you want. Use the micheals for basic fill type designs and Funkins for your centerpiece stand out type design.