From
Handmade Halloween: Ideas for a Happy, Haunted Celebration.
See who will dare pluck a treat from this scary bowl! This make-together project for children and parents will thrill little trick-or-treaters. If a party is in the Halloween plans, put Ms. Witch to work as a centerpiece. (Don't forget to store her for next year's celebration.)
Materials:
papier-mâché paste: 4 c. cold water, 1/2 c. flour, 3 Tbsp. sugar
10" balloon
cardboard
11" x 17" piece of paper
11" x 17" piece of oak tag
newspaper ripped into 1" wide strips
white, black, green and bright red acrylic paint
three 8-1//2" x 11" pieces black construction paper
paint brushes
craft glue
tape
clothespins
Steps:
1. Make the papier-mâché paste: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of the water to a boil. In a small bowl, combine the flour and remaining 2 cups water. Stir into the boiling water in the saucepan; return to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar. Let cool and thicken, about 30 minutes.
2. For the hat, roll the piece of paper into a cone about 10 inches tall; tape to hold shut, then trim the bottom edge to make it even. Make a donut-shaped brim from the oak tag by cutting out a 9-inch circle, the cutting a 3-1/2-inch circle inside that. Tape the brim to the cone.
3. Blow the balloon up to approximately 10" x 8"; tie closed. Cut a 4-1/2-inch circle of cardboard and attach it to the large (bottom) end of the balloon with tape.
4. Dip newspaper strips into the papier-mâché paste and, one by one, apply to the outside of the hat and the underside of the brim, covering completely. Make four layers of papier-mâché. Let dry.
5. Dip more strips into the paste and apply to the balloon and base, starting at the base and working up toward the neck of the balloon. Leave an uncovered area at the top about 5 inches wide. Apply four layers of papier-mâché, adding facial features with pieces of crumpled paper. (We added eyebrows, slight bumps for eyes, a large nose, chin, lips and teeth.) Let dry 24 to 48 hours, until the surface is completely hard and dry and there are no soft spots.
6. Pop the balloon and remove. Paint the inside and outside of the witch's head and the hat with white paint. Let dry. Paint the inside and outside of the hat with two coats of black paint, letting the paint dry between coats. Paint the inside and outside of the witch's head with two coats of green paint, letting the paint dry between coats. Paint the face with red, white, and black paint.
7. For the witch's hair: Cut the construction paper lengthwise into four strips each. Fold each strip back and forth the short way, into a skinny accordion. Cut each strip into narrower strips to make strands of kinky hair, but don't cut all the way through to the end--leave a tab at the top. Glue hair to the rim of the bowl with craft glue, using clothespins to hold the hair in place while it dries.
Resources Handmade Halloween: Ideas for a Happy, Haunted Celebration
by the editors of
Country Living
Order this title.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website:
www.sterlingpub.com 
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