Jack-O-Lantern Centerpiece
by Bluebonnet Crafters
Reprint from September/October 1997 Crafty Visions Newsletter

MATERIAL:

• Orange crochet cotton thread Round balloon approx. 9" diameter Plastic zipper type bag Fabric stiffener of your choice Waxed paper Real or artificial greenery Small piece of black felt

• Votive candle in glass holder

INSTRUCTIONS:

Inflate the balloon until it is firm and tie a knot at the end. With a piece of the crochet cotton thread tie the balloon so it is suspended just above the waxed paper where you will be working. Place approximately 1/2 of the crochet cotton into the zipper bag holding one end to the outside. Add approximately 1/4 cup of fabric stiffener to the bag and gently work it through the crochet cotton. With the end you were holding tie a knot around the knot of the balloon and using the zipper bag to strip excess stiffener from the thread begin wrapping the balloon in a criss crossing motion to form a fairly close web totally covering the balloon. With the second half of the crochet thread add it to the remaining stiffener in the zipper bag and again gently knead to distribute through the crochet cotton. Repeating the above motion with one slight change, at a point approximately 1 1/2" from the knot make a ring around the balloon to build up a firm cuff. Each time you come back to this point circle again. When you have your balloon well covered and a cuff approximately 1/4" thick formed allow the balloon to sit down on the waxed paper so it's bottom will be slightly flattened and allow the balloon to dry thoroughly. When dry pop the balloon and cut the thread above the cuff around in a circle. This should form your pumpkin shape with the top edge firm enough to hold it's shape. From the scraps of black felt cut two eyes, a nose and a mouth and glue them to the front of your pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern. Place the greenery fanning from a center point on the table, set your thread jack- o-lantern in the center and add the votive candle and holder to help hold it in place. You can add some of the goblins around the thread jack-o-lantern and with your Sharpie pen add a name above the trick or treat such as Cody's trick or treats and use these as party favors or naming members of the family.