Easy Fall Crafts for Adults!

We all love Fall, the cooler air, the scent of the leaves and excitement of the holidays to come! One thing I love most is the crafts that follow. Here I will share some of my favorites! First on the menu is Paper Mache. You can do so much with Paper Mache. It’s cheap and easy for all to use and a fun way to get together and help us forget, even if for just a moment, the pressures of the outside world while sipping on our favorite hot fall drink and wearing our jammies…sigh…so wonderful sounding, yes?

First we need to start off with an easy and inexpensive paper mache recipe! So grab that Pumpkin Latte or Hot cider and climb into your favorite comfortable jammies and let’s begin!

Note: This recipe is great for many different projects, in this post we will be using it for our Paper Mache Pumpkins!

*Paper Mache Clay Recipe

• 1 1/2 cups damp toilet paper (I use dollar store cheap for this, works great!)
• 1 cup drywall joint compound
• 3/4 cup Elmer’s Glue-All or any PVA glue
• 1/2 to 1 cup white flour (adjustable)
• 2 tablespoons mineral oil (optional)

*I love to use this original paper mache clay recipe created by Jonni of Ultimate Paper Mache

Several reasons I love using this recipe:

• It is budget friendly, using ingredients from your local grocery or craft store or you may already have at home.
• It’s super easy to use, anyone can do this, you can even get the kids involved!
• You can use a craft or paint knife to smooth the clay in a super thin layer over your form, or use your hands. I like using my hands, but I suggest gloves for ease of clean up 🙂 It’s sort of like having baked a cake and frosting it, if you will.

Easy DIY Paper Mache Pumpkins

What comes to mind when you think of cooler Fall weather?

The first things I think of is the crisp air, beautiful jewel toned falling leaves and the Fall festivals and of course this means PUMPKINS!! Here we are going to create some cheap paper mache pumpkins, because what could be better than decorations on a budget?

You will need:

• 10 to 12″ balloon(s)
• 3 to 5 rubber bands (per pumpkin)
• paper mache paste mix (see steps)
• newspaper
• Scissors
• crepe paper, brown and green for stem (or construction paper).
• acrylic paint in your choice of color and paint brushes
• clear coat spray paint or Mod Podge (optional)

The Steps:

1. Inflate your balloon 3/4 of the way.
2. Place a rubber band around the balloon, then add a second so that the two bands form an X at the top and bottom of the pumpkin. Add a third rubber band so that all of the bands are evenly spaced and divide the balloon into segments.
3. Mix equal parts flour and warm water to create a paper mache paste. Cut or tear newspaper into long 1×4 strips. Dip the strips into the paste and smooth them onto the balloons surface. Repeat until the balloon is completely covered, making sure to leave a small hole near the knot of the balloon.
4. Once the first layer is mostly dried you can add another layer. Let the entire piece dry overnight, you can then insert a needle to pop the balloon.
5. Twist a length of craft paper to form a stem, and adhere it to the top of the pumpkin. Cut leaf shapes from the crepe paper and glue them onto the stem.

You can also go back and decorate your pumpkin with beautiful napkins as shown in the article provided by RealSimple.com.

In summary, you can make many different sizes of these paper mache pumpkins, just use bigger forms for larger…this can be larger balloons or wire forms or I like to use balloons stacked, larger on bottom and a smaller one on top just double sided taped together for a tall skinny style.

Whatever you choose to do..it will turn out unique and one of a kind! Just remember if you want to display outdoors make sure it is completely dry then you can use Rustoleum spray paints for outdoors or if you painted it with acrylics or used a designed napkin that you modge podged onto the outer layer use an outdoor weather proof clear coat and there you have it!