Interview with Author Kathy Ross
about this book, "Crafts for All Seasons"

Soft Sculpture Pumpkin

This is a lovely pumpkin craft comes from Kathy Ross' book, "Crafts for all Seasons" that you can make out of old pantyhose and some fiberfill. You can make it as a nice fall craft or you can modify it for Halloween by adding a face.

Here is what you need:

• Two pairs of old pantyhose
• Orange and green poster paint and a paintbrush
• Styrofoam tray for drying
• Fiberfill
• Scissors
• Two rubber bands
• Stapler

Here is what you do:
(see picture of steps below)

1. Cut the four legs off the pantyhose. Arrange the legs crossing over each other at the center like spokes of a wheel. Staple the legs together at the point where they all cross over each other.
2. Cut the toe end off the foot of the pantyhose so that all the legs are open at the ends.
3. Stuff all sections of pantyhose with fiberfill.  Leave about 6 inches at the end of each stocking unstuffed.
4. Pull the eight sections up and around to the center to form a pumpkin. Hold the sections together with a rubber band.
5. Braid the excess stocking ends together to make a stem for the pumpkin. Hold the braided stem in place with another rubber band.
6. Paint the pumpkin orange and the stem green.  Let the project dry on the Styrofoam tray.  You can turn this pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern by gluing on a face cut from black felt.

Interview with Author Kathy Ross
about this book, "Crafts for All Seasons"

Comments

Use orange tights instead!
From: Roy Young
How about using orange tights instead of regular pantyhose?
I tried this and it worked beautifully! I used green tights for the stem, attaching it with a rubberband!

Make mini-pumpkins to surround the big one
From: Laura Owens
What an amazing idea!!! My Girl Scout troop was asked to make a centerpiece   for a meal at a men's homeless center in late September. Last year we   assembled treat bags for Halloween -- every homeless man needs a bat eraser,   spider ring, hard candy and a home baked cookie! Well they were a huge hit   and men asked if they could take extra for children they knew, etc. This   year, we're going to do fall treat bags and the pumpkin will make a great centerpiece.

I had an idea for mini-pumpkins
to surround the centerpiece.
Take the stocking legs and cut them into small sections -- depending on how big you want your small pumpkins. Tie one end in a knot. Stuff with fiberfill. Tie the other end in a knot, leaving enough extra stocking to braid above the know. Cut the part to be braided into 6 or 9 strips and make 2 or 3 braids for the "stem." They would look really cute all assembled around a larger pumpkin.
Laura Owens
Louisville, KY

How to make smaller pumpkins
From: Vicki
To make smaller pumpkins, I used knee high pantyhose. They work the same way as the leg of a pantyhose except smaller.

Pumpkin Soup
This easy and charming craft is really a wonderful gift for any and all of the goblins in your life. We have created a wonderful gift tag that you can easily download and attach to your mug to make this a special gift.  The tag has an adorable picture and inside we have written a poem especially dedicated to the treats of Halloween. This can be given as an inexpensive and fun favor for a Halloween party, a gift for a favorite relative and friend and a wonderful Halloween centerpiece.  You'll want to make them for your kids.

Meet the Author
Kathy Ross
"Crafts From Your Favorite Fairy Tales"
hosted by Sue Spataro
Interview & FREE Swan Puppet Craft

Kathy Ross' craft book Crafts From Your Favorite Fairy tales is a wonderfully charming book filled with fun and easy crafts for kids to make from their favorite stories. Whether your favorite story is the Little Mermaid (mobile) or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (an adorable bed complete with dwarfs), Kathy has an activity for your child.  Check out her adorable stapler blankets from The Princess and the Pea. Kathy's book is perfect for any family, child care group, or school setting. Crafts From Your Favorite Fairy Tales lives up to Kathy's high standards which makes craft both simple to make and beautiful finished products.

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