Name: Tissue Paper Pumpkin Lantern
SKU: 92822L
Price: 95.04 AUD

Step 1Blow a balloon up to the size you want your lantern to be. Let a little bit of air out and then twist the opening shut, securing with some masking tape.
Step 2Use masking tape to stick one end of the twine to the top of the balloon. Wrap the twine around the balloon, moving the twine to one side of the opening when you get back around to the top. Place a small piece of clear tape over the twine on each side of the balloon to hold the first loop in place. Wrap the twine around the balloon in the other direction so there are even quarters around the balloon. Add clear tape to the sides to secure. Repeat two more times to divide each quarter again, before cutting off the excess twine. Adult supervision is required when using scissors. To hold the end of the twine in place, simply lift some of the masking tape holding the start of the twine and place the twine end underneath before securing the tape back down.
Step 3Peel the tape from around the twisted opening of the balloon then add a little more air. This will help the balloon take on more of a pumpkin shape as it bulges slightly around the twine. Be careful not to add too much air though as it may force your twine off the balloon! Tie off the balloon when you’re happy with the shape.
Step 4Cut small squares of orange tissue paper and begin to apply these to the balloon using PVA glue. Overlap the squares just as you would to create a papier mache or decoupage project. Cover one complete layer of the balloon before adding a second layer. Repeat this process until you have a minimum for 4 layers. We want the light to be able to shine through the layers, but we also need it to hold its shape. Allow the glue to completely dry.
Step 5When dry, carefully cut a hole in your tissue paper around the opening of the balloon, ensuring your hole is at least 4cm in diameter. Cut the end of the balloon open slightly to allow the air to slowly escape. Keep hold of the balloon as it begins to pull away from the edges of the tissue paper. Because the tissue paper is so thin, it might begin to collapse a bit, but you can gently mould it back into shape. Once the air is out of the balloon, carefully remove it from the twine and dispose of thoughtfully. The twine will stay in place inside the tissue paper to act as the ridges of the pumpkin.
Step 6Gently draw in the face of your pumpkin using permanent markers. Ensure you do not press to hard as this may rip the paper.
Step 7Take some green tissue paper and create a top for the pumpkin. We have twisted some strips of tissue paper together to create a stalk then scrunched the remaining tissue paper around the base. Glue in place on top of your pumpkin and allow to dry.
Step 8Place your pumpkin over an LED tealight candle to finish your Tissue Paper Pumpkin Lantern. Turn off the lights to watch its spooky face glow!