Halloween Decorations: Pumpkin Pole

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

18 Oct 2006 07:26 AM

Okay, I know everyone here has heard of a totem pole. Well, this is a similar idea, only it's a pumpkin pole. This cute decoration can be used as a table topper, near the front door, or anywhere you like.

Items Needed:

• Styrofoam balls (small, medium, and large)
• Orange and black craft paint
• Paintbrush or sponge
• Green pipe cleaners (or the nicer chenille stems)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Toothpicks

Instructions:

Start by flattening out the bottom of the large Styrofoam ball a little (so it will stand without moving).

Paint each of the balls with the orange craft paint. You can use a paintbrush or sponge it on, but make sure you cover it well.

When dry, make faces with black paint (or try one of the variations listed below for faces). Make one happy, one sad, one angry, or any emotion you like, but it looks better if all the faces are different.

Use toothpicks to attach the balls one on top of the other. Ask a grown up to help, and be careful not to poke yourself.

Form stems and leaves (if desired) from chenille stems and stick them into the Styrofoam.

Display your totem pole and decorate it with candies, plastic spiders, or anything else you like.

Variations:

• You can glue felt to the flattened bottom of the large ball for a "base" if desired.
• Instead of painting the Styrofoam balls, you can decoupage small squares of orange tissue paper onto them. Allow to dry.
• Make a face with markers, paint pens, construction paper, or felt.
• For added interest, place your totem pole on a tray and swirl some artificial moss around the bottom. You could also surround the base with candy corn, swirl strips of ribbon, or sprinkle with scraps of orange and black tissue paper and some glitter.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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