Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Cheesecloth Ghost

This isn't related to costumes but it does involve dressing up your house for Halloween.

I had bought pumpkin lights to put on my tree but decided against it because I didn't want an extension cord running the length of the yard so I will try this to put in my scrawny oak tree.

I found these on hancockfabrics.com and they have free shipping until Oct 14th with promo code PFSVX.





Cheesecloth Ghost

These instructions can be used to create various sizes of “ghosts” - large ones used to decorate the trees and bushes around your home to small party favors.

Materials:
• Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener
• Cheesecloth (amount varies with desired finished size of “ghost”) approximately 3/4 - 1 yd. for a medium size “ghost”.
• Balloons (sizes and shapes depend on the size and shape of “ghosts” desired)
• Wax Paper
• Plastic Bag
• Black felt for eyes or movable paste-on eyes
• Glue

Directions:
1. Cover work surface with wax paper.
2. Inflate balloons, set in cups or bowls for support and then set on wax paper.
3. To determine the size to cut cheesecloth, drape it over the balloon as follows:
a. For “flying ghosts”, cut the cheesecloth so the ends do not touch the flat work surface and cut.
b. For “standing ghosts”, cut the cheesecloth long enough to drape in a “pool” at the base of the cup and cut.
4. Pour stiffener into a plastic bag. Dilute with 1 part water to 3 parts stiffener to make it easier to work with. Mix well.
5. Unfold a piece of pre-cut cheesecloth and place it in the plastic bag. Squeeze the bag until the cheesecloth is fully saturated.
6. To remove the cheesecloth, hold the open edge of bag (about 2 1/2” - 3” down from the top edge) almost closed with one hand. Slowly pull cheesecloth out through the small opening squeezing as much stiffener out of the cheesecloth in the bag as possible.
7. Drape cheesecloth over a balloon and arrange as desired. Use one or two layers of cheesecloth for each “ghost”. If necessary, use a paper towel to remove any excess stiffener from holes in cheesecloth.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 for the rest of your “ghosts”.
9. Let “ghosts” dry.
10. Remove “ghosts” from balloons and cups.
11. Cut round or oval eyes from black felt or use the movable paste-on eyes. Glue eyes on “ghosts”.
12. Optional: decorate with ribbons, spider web, etc. and hang with fishing line.

Printable version with diagrams (opens in new window)

Posted by T'aowyn :: 11:34 AM :: 0 comments:

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