Little Pumpkin head...

you know... I offered him up last week.  Him and his big cheesy grin.  So, I thought that I would start the week out right and get on to drawing a winner's name from that post. 

I want you to know that I hate having to draw ONE name.  Just hate it.  I wish that I could give one to everyone.  Hmmm... now that's a great idea!

Let's get this done first.  The winner of the Pumpkin head container is........

KAT!!!!   Kat commented on September 15 @ 12:29.  Please email me, Kat, with your mailing address and he will be off to your house for some Halloween fun.

Back to giving each of you a little pumpkin head fun.  Since I can't make each of you one, how about you make one for yourself?  Get ready.... we are going to go through each step so that you can do just that.  Then on October 30 for each person who sends me a link or an image in an email of their pumpkin head, I will enter you in a drawing to win something from the new BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses collection . 

Sound fun?!! Here we go......

First you need to choose a container.  The original container that I used is about 5x5" tall and wide and 3.5" deep.  The container that will be worked with in the following images is alot taller, but about as deep at the top.  Bascially you need something that a 4-5" pumpkin will be able to sit on top of.

 There are 2 containers shown above and I decided to use the green one as I want to be able to hang my pumpkin head container.  The other one would have worked well also.  You can even use a small box or paper mache piece as long as it is smooth on the outside.

I removed the handle on my container then spray painted the inside, handle, and top rim black.  Next I used Mod Podge to adhere the papers to the outside of the container.  I find that the paper molds to the container better if I apply the Mod Podge directly onto the back side of the paper. 

Line up your paper edge to the edge of the container then smooth from the center outward. 

Next you will need a pumpkin.  I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby in their fall craft supplies and it measures about 4.5" around.  It had a pick on the bottom for use in a floral arrangement.  You can remove the pick or leave it on.  I find that it makes a nice "handle" to use while painting or glittering.

My pumpkin needed to be painted because of the color(see the first image above.)  There were orange pumpkins available, but I chose the one that I liked the best.  Even if I had chosen an orange one, I would still have painted it as I want it to have a hand crafted look.

While the paint is drying on the pumpkin, cut a 7x7" square from patterned paper.  All of the papers that I use in this project are from the new BasicGrey Eerie collection. 

  Once your 7x7" square is cut, use a ruler at one of the corners to measure outward at 7" random points.  This will form an arch.  Cut away excess paper along arch.

Overlap the 2 straight edges and glue together (I like to start my gluing at the bottom of the hat along the arch.)  Don't worry if the hat doesn't form a perfect point at the top as you will cut off the tip a little anyway.

Cut off a small portion of the tip of the hat and adhere a pom pom or silver ball to the top. 

Thread 3 buttons with  cotton string or floss then glue them to the front of the hat. Use hot glue to adhere small pieces of silver and gold pipe cleaners around 2 of the buttons.  Be carefull!!  This is where I always burn myself :-(

Use hot glue to adhere pipe cleaner around the ball at the hat's tip if desired also.

Ignore those stars in the photo, we'll do those later! ;-)

Next, I like to glue the hat to the head so that I have a nice determined spot to paint the face.  Adhere silver trim to the edge of the hat.  (I find all of my silver balls and trims at Hobby Lobby in the miniature tree trimming supplies.  It's a good time to stock up now while the supply is fresh!)

Use white paint to apply eyes and mouth to the face.  I like to just use the flat end of a pencil for the eyes.  Dip the pencil into the paint and then apply it to the pumpkin.  You'll get a nice perfect circle.  For the mouth you'll need to make a line with a 1/4" brush that is about 1.5" long.  Don't worry that it is perfect as you will make it look better once it is lined with black.

When the white paint is dry, apply a black dot to each eye the same as you did the white.  Paint a nose with black paint.

Use a permanent black marker to line the mouth as shown and to make eyebrows.  Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the pumpkin head and sprinkle on a light coat of clear glitter.

Cut 3 strips from patterned paper that measure 1.5" x 12".

Accordion fold each paper strip at 1/4" intervals.

Glue the ends of the folded strips together to form a circle for the collar.

 Use hot glue to adhere the collar to the bottom of the pumpkin head.  You will need to work quickly to "gather" or make smaller the inner part of the collar.

The stars are made from paper mache.  I can find several styles.  Some are 3D on both side, some are 3D on the front and flat on the back and others are just open on the back.  It really doesn't matter which ones you use.  For my project I have one that is 3D on both sides and one that is flat on the backside.

Paint the backside of the star/stars black.  Cut five 2.5 x2.5" squares of patterned paper for each star then adhere one of the squares to the star as shown, lining up one of the edges along one of the creases in the star.

Trim the excess paper from the back side. 

You will also need to trim the excess in the front along one of the creases.  Repeat the process to finish each point of the star.

Apply a light brown ink to the creases if desired.  Apply spray adhesive to star then add fine clear glitter.  Adhere a button and black rhinestone to the center.  Use hot glue to adhere a piece of silver or gold pipe cleaner around the button.

Now it's time to glue the pumpkin and star/stars to the container.  I usually add a little "stuffing" into the container first.  I use newspaper or you can also use a styrofoam filler that you can find in the floral department at craft stores.  Newspaper is cheaper!!  If you are worried about seeing the newspaper, add a little black tissue paper in as the top layer.

Use a light brown inkpad and your finger to bend and fold your collar a bit to distress.

This time instead of applying a black chipboard tree to the front of the container, I added 2 strips of ribbon and buttons.  I also added a bundle of berries to the inside of the container.

And you're done!  As you can see, this pumpkin head looks a little different from the first.  No two  will probably ever look alike and that's what so fun about being creative.  You could make yours look a little more vintage, a little more hip, and little more "you" depending upon the papers and embellishments that you use. 

I hope that some of you are inspired to try your own little pumpkin head container, and remember to link me to your art or email me a photo and you'll be entered into my drawing.  I can't wait to see yours!!!!

 

Comments

[Tours of the Vatican]

Really cute and well done.

[Coach Outlet]

IT IS hard to look at the Capitol in Washington, DC, without a frisson of excitement

[Jordan 1]

I like the style of your article! I was shocked that you think it!

[sildenafil citrate]

This one is merely informative o it's a really serious way of change our minds.

[Charlene]

Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial!!!! Love this little guy.

[Ann G]

Thanks for the cute idea. I came across your blog the day before Halloween so I had to modify mine towards Thanksgiving. Come see him at http://mom2fiveplus3.blogspot.com/2009/11/little-turkey-head.html

[tina phillips]

Linda, Thank you again for sharing with your cyber friends! I love everything you do! Here is mine, http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1526541?&cat=500&ppuser=144413 . I totally enjoyed the process - I will be making more next year.

[Amy]

Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial with all of the step by step instructions and pictures! I took it to my mom last week over MEA and she LOVED it! {I was so proud of myself, it was actually a little hard to part with!} I did get a litte carried away on his mouth, but it still turned out cute thanks to your directions!! Thanks for sharing!! :)
http://amy-justforlooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-to-grammys.html

[susan stringfellow]

Thanks so much for posting this. I have been wanting to do something like this since last year and I needed the nudge. I haven't posted mine on my blog yet, but I just posted at peas: oh I had SOOO much fun making this one! Totally inspired by linda Albrecht of course, but still so fun

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1542422

Thanks so much for the inspiration!!! You are amazing!

[Hilary Kanwischer]

Linda, I just adore this project so I HAD to make one. HOP on over to my blog too if you have a second to spare. :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks so much for the inspiration. :)

[LOVE THE DECOR]

this is too cute!!
Just found you and looking forward to more inspiring creations
Hope over to my place when you have time I would love to have you follow!!

[Linda Albrecht]

Thanks, Nicole! I hope that you have fun creating.

Linda :-)

typepad@sixapart.com wrote:

[rachele]

Linda, I will try your suggestions. I'm sure that's all I need to do. Thank you!! (I can't wait to finish it. Off to paint some more.) :o)

[Linda Albrecht]

IMPORTANT!!

If anyone comments with questions about the project and I don't answer your personal email, it's because my email is acting up once in awhile. So, try emailing me again. So sorry for the hassle.

if I see a comment here that doesn't get through to my email, I will respond here, so check the comment section if you don't get an email from me answering your question.

Linda

[Linda Albrecht]

Rachele-

No, I didn't do anything to prep for painting. Mine went on just fine. I did do a 2nd coat because it didn't cover in one, but it took to the pumpkin well. I guess that I would suggest maybe a light sanding on the pmpkin to roughen up the finish a bit.

I hope that works!
Linda:-)

[Nicole Lund]

For me a free tutorial is just a good as winning (especially since I didn't enter :)! Thank you for the great step by step. You are one of my very favorite artists, I adore your stuff!

[rachele]

Linda, did you do anything to prep the pumpkin before painting it? I bought one but the paint isn't taking to it very well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[Tracy]

This is awesome, having your instructions instead of trying ot figure out what all you did. This will be my weekend project!
Thanks again.

[tammy]

aww shucks! I never win anything haha! Another cute little pumpkin head. hee hee. don't you just love HL!!

[Linda Albrecht]

Thanks, Davinie! That means a lot coming from you with all of your mad talent.

Hope that all is well with you,
Linda :-)

typepad@sixapart.com wrote:

[Debbie]

Oh my Gosh! I can't stand it! Linda girl this is mega-cutalicious! Is that a word? Of course it is! You know I think there is such a (wonderful)trend toward vintage looking Halloween art, and here you are making the cutest Vintage looking Pumpkin/Halloween art I've ever seen. I can't wait to try this. And thank you so much for showing us how...you made it look easy!
Blessings,
Debbie

[Ceci]

I am so in awe of your creativity...love your fab creations. :)

[rachele]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I can't wait to make one of my own!! Look out Hobby Lobby, here I come!!

[Davinie]

Linda linda Linda! This is fabulous! I am very inspired by what you've done here.

[Patty M]

Thanks for sharing the how to's of your adorable pumpkin head, I will let you know when mine is done. In the meantime, I just finished a little chickie, modeled after one you did last January. I didn't have your pattern so I improvised my own. I just love him. Check him out at http://sewingseeds4U.blogspot.com/ thanks for the inspiration.

[Morag]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I love finding out just how you do it. Your projects are always so adorable.

[Sheri Zipp]

This is great, Linda. Thanks for the step-by-step!!

[Silvia]

Linda,
Your creations is stunning! I am lost for words...!
Silvia