Halloween Lanterns

Having a Halloween party this year? A great way to set the atmosphere is lighting. Cast some eerie shades of orange with some cheerful light fixture covers! You're going to need basically the same supplies you would with any paper mache project:

Mod Podge, (You can use liquid starch as your adhesive instead if you want), a balloon pump, small water balloons, craft tissue paper, and a paintbrush to apply the Mod Podge or starch. You need water balloons because they are smaller. If you want a bigger lantern, use a standard sized balloon. Just note that the drying process will take much longer, and you will need a lot more tissue. A balloon pump is necessary because if you've ever tried blowing up a little water balloon by mouth, you know it's nearly impossible. (It feels like your entire facial structure is going to implode.)

First, blow up the balloon using the pump. I was going to include a picture of this, but then I changed my mind- it's pretty self explanatory. If you can't figure it out yourself.. I have no words for you.

Tie a knot to keep the air inside, then proceed to cut out manageable strips of the tissue paper color of your choice. Apply the Mod Podge to the balloon, then start pressing the strips of craft tissue onto the adhesive.

After you complete one layer of the tissue on the balloon, let it sit somewhere it can dry for at least one hour. Then apply your second layer, and let that layer dry for about 45 minutes. Then apply the facial features you desire using a different colored sheet of tissue. After that, leave your little tissue-balloon concoction alone for at least a few days- let the balloon deflate a little. If you find the balloon is still sticking to the tissue paper and your creation is sinking in on itself, do yourself a favor and just pop the balloon. You can fix any dents by pressing your finger on the inside of the dried hollow lantern. You don't have to make only pumpkins, you can make other things, like this little Dracula!

Make as many as your light fixture needs, then make sure that there is an opening on the bottom of the lantern large enough to stick it onto the light bulb. WARNING: Use a LOW-WATT bulb. (Unless you want your creation to go up in flames and take your house down with it.)

Here's what some of my lanterns looked like on my chandelier: (Just a heads up, my chandelier looks like a tree.)

Another way you can decorate with these little fellows is by attaching them to an ARTIFICIAL light source, like an electric tea candle- NOT A REAL CANDLE. (Do I even need to say that?!)

Then you can place them somewhere dark and they'll really pop out!

BOO!