Saturday

Scarecrow

 A few years ago, six apparently, in 2006 BB (Before Blogging), I decided to make a scarecrow.  I took a few photos of the process, but not a full tutorial like maybe would be nice for ya'll or you all as we say in the North.  I think at the time I planned on making two and wanted pictures to refresh my memory of the process.  

Meet Punkin Noggin.....


Punkin Noggin started out a semi round form of old rusty chicken wire. 
Yes even six years ago the rule was don't buy stuff to make stuff.


Can you see that chicken wire?  It's right in the center there next to the trashcan.  We have a brown trash can now, maybe it would blend in better.

You make a round form with the chicken wire and then balance it with wood shims nailed to your work place so you can work on all sides.  His melon gets pretty heavy.

The long paper thing at the bottom left will become his stem.

You start to mud him.  It helps if you know a drywall contractor who happens to keep drywall mud on hand, because when you want to make something you want to make it NOW. 

But you don't get to use the regular premixed stuff.  No you must use the dry kind you mix with water, it's called something technical like 20 minute mud.  At least at our house.


Mix up your goo in a old sheetrock screw bucket if you have one, and use that goo like paper mache.  Dip strips of fabric (I used old sheets cut up) and put it on the chicken wire.  Let dry, do again, and again until all the chicken wire is covered. 

Then you just keep smearing mud on fabric and shaping it as you go and eventually you get a gray blob resembling some sort of alien gourd with a stem that resembles a super size umbilical cord.  The stem is a metal clothes hanger with newspaper twisted and taped on.  You mud that too.  If I recall there was also some duct tape involved here somewhere.

Now you might want a beautiful, perfectly shaped pumpkin...... I did not.  I wanted to put a bit of the scare in the word scarecrow.  Halloween has never really been cute to me.... I'm the girl who wanted to be a witch year after year, and I was very afraid of witches, had nightmares about them.  Guess that's what's called facing your fears at a young age.


His body consists of grape vines from the woods and an old trench coat from a garage sale that I ripped up.  It was recycled from a costume.  No, no one was a flasher at Bliss Ranch.  Instead arms were flung open with the statement "wanna buy a watch" fully clothed underneath.

All the vines are twisted around a wood "T" and staple gun staples were strategically shot in, to hold it in place.  The whole thing was sprayed with varnish to protect it, and the head has about 10 coats brushed on so it wouldn't get mushy left out in the elements. 

Must of done something right because it has weathered 6 Octobers.

Now that I'm a blogger, I suppose if I was making another one, I'd probably have to use chalk style paint and wax it.

Brawn taking my friend for a walk down to the end of the driveway where he was put on a metal pole.  Punkin Noggin, not Brawn.  This is a good view of the stem and top and you can see how big he is.


Punkin Noggin.  He's outstanding in his field.



Punkin Noggin is gonna get you at these parties:

DIY Pumpkin Projects with Donna @FunkyJunk

Make the Scene Monday @Alderberry Hill 
Sunday Showcase @UnderTheTableandDreaming 
Cowgirl Up Party @CedarHillRanch 
The Style Sisters 
Fall Party @SarahDawnDesigns 
My big headed punkin is haunting at
The Primp your Pumpkin Party with Debbie Doos,
Fox Hollow Cottage Doos,  and Mom 4 Real Doos
BOO!

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49 comments :

  1. Punkin Nogin is so cute. I totally want one! I may have to try a Bliss Ranch copy cat challenge! I even like his inards, and his coat is so in style this year.

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  2. Me too, I want one - Punkin Nogin is definitely outstanding, and playing with mud sounds like the best kind of messy crafty fun !

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  3. Holy @#!& Bliss that is AWESOME! And if Primp your Pumpkin is a contest...girl you win hands down. #Pinned

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  4. OMG, that is so unbelievable cool!! Yes, I would say it is very primped.

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  5. this is the best scarecrow ever. i LOVE it!!! totally creepy!!!

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  6. What a great tutorial! Love all the handy dandy tips! And you know what I especially liked? Grapevine body that had such character.. and with the open trench coat, it's truly amazing! My first time visiting your blog and love your sense of humor, you all!!! Tee, hee!! I have become your latest follower and will be back for sure! Can't wait to see what else you do for Halloween. And I would love to have you drop by my blog, when you have a chance! I'll make sure to serve some sweet tea! And I make some killer brownies! Hope to see you soon! Thanks...

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  7. I LOVE him!!!!! He looks awesome out in your field! Perfect!
    I used that chicken wire process about 30 years ago for a Halloween Contest, my husband was
    Mac the Knife (remember the moon guy from McDonalds?) I made a giant crescent moon head with chicken
    wire... and I won 1st place! Your Pumpkin guy reminds me of him!
    Great job Bliss!
    Susan

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  8. LOL I love it! Primp your punkin'!!!! I need to start primping, and I really think that Punkin Noggin is so cute!

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  9. The. Best. Scarecrow. of. all. Time. I $hit thee not. It totally makes me want to pimp my pumpkin.

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  10. Outstanding is right! Too funny! I especially like his long bony fingers pointing the way to the freebies on the side of the road. Do I see the Children of the Corn in the fields beyond?

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  11. Way too cool...so glad you took pictures!! Laurel

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  12. Oh that pumpkin is sooo primped!! He's primped in a understated, creepy kind of way...love!

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  13. Beyond clever! I love him! He could have come out of a Tim Burton movie, he's that good.

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  14. Best ever, Bliss...and I'm with Vickie. I know those corn kids are out there hiding.

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  15. HOLY SMOKES BLISS!! That is freakin' awesome! How cool is that??? That is one primped pumpkin! Or maybe he's a pumpkin pimp... Hmmmm.....

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  16. He's definitely cool! And I think he's lasted longer with varnish than he would with chalk paint and wax. :) 6 years~you built that one right!

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  17. Hee hee... great tutorial and he is awesome! Still chuckling about the BB. :)

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  18. Punkin Noggin is very cool. But I think he *would* be cooler with chalk paint and wax! ;-)

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  19. Soooooooooooo Awesome!!!!! I've never seen a better one!

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  20. This is fabulous!! He looks like something from a Tim Burton movie! Very cool!

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  21. Anonymous9/09/2012

    This is GREAT!! I wish I had been taking "before" and "during" photos more frequently prior to blogging, too. Your black/white edit of Punkin Noggin is a great, super spooky effect to start the post!! Bravo!! (WhatAmberLoves@att.net) ~Amber of WhatAmberLoves.com

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  22. I'd say he's quite outstanding in his field!! Awesome, lady!

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  23. Anonymous9/09/2012

    OMG - I love him! I want him! (runs to gate, unscrews Punkin and runs from dogs ......). Hahahahaha. Pattt/BC

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    Replies
    1. Hands off my punkin! My vicious dog will eat the bottom of your pant leg.
      Bliss

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  24. Pumpkin Noggin certainly is primped out to the max - I'd definitely buy a watch from him!
    Kelly

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  25. That is freaking fantastic! AND YES. He is primped. And if there was a prize, he would win. Before we even had the party.

    OUTSTANDING!!!!

    Man, when you Bliss something... you go All. Out.

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  26. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS and SO PRIMPED!~ You rock and now I WANT ONE! Seriously....will you come to my house and help me make one? I'll bake pie and make ice cream. Pretty please@!? xo

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  27. HOLY Scare Crow, THAT IS GOOD! Very creative Miss Bliss. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this year!

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  28. That is an amazing scarecrow, Bliss...he's a work of art, actually!

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  29. Totally creepy! I love it, and need to make one this year! Fabulous idea Bliss!

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  30. I don't want to meet this scarecrow on a dark, night...he make yu think o some of those scary shows.....I think you win

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  31. Can we talk about how I need a "Punkin Noggin" right now in my life? I just don't know where I could stake a metal pole in this condo... but, if I could.... I SO would!

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  32. That is one impressive scarecrow. Perhaps now that it's 2012 AB (after blogging), you should make him a lady friend. He seems lonely :)

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  33. Punkin Noggin is slightly terrifying! I can see why he's outstanding in his field. ~snickers~

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  34. Great job, he's pretty scary looking. I sure wouldn't want to run into him in the dark.

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  35. Punkin Noggin is so cute. He totally fits in the "Primp My Pumpkin" category.

    If you get a chance come introduce him over at my Fall Edition Pin Party.

    http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/pintastic-monday-fall-edition.html

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  36. This is awesome!! I wish you lived near me, I would pay you to make one for me too. Because I know I will definitely not be making one.....

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  37. Now that is a scarecrow! I love him!!! come link up to centerpiece Wed on my blog...it will be up tomorrow and sharethis awesome idea> He is the Centerpiece of this field!
    Karin

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  38. I just had to come take a look for myself at this scarecrow of yours. My sister, Kim, mentioned it to me yesterday. She fell in love with it and said I should check it out. It is truly a work of art! So unique. You can make just about anything, I beleive.

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  39. I think you should make another head and use it for the centerpiece of your Halloween table!! I love the alien umbilical cord!! He is truly so awesome!!! We are having a community scarecrow festival and I may have to steal your ideas here!! thanks so much for linking up to Centerpiece Wednesday!!
    Karin

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  40. Jeesh girl ... you have talent! Love the "Outstanding in his field" LOL
    Hugs,
    Bj

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  41. This guy is seriously creeping me out! Awesome job!!

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  42. Anonymous9/18/2012

    Pumpkin Nuggin knows how to get his creep on! How many children have fainted when they have seen him? His umbilical cord pony tail really completes his look. Is he available for appearances? I was planning on creating a pumpkin with a Pinocchio nose but my darling husband said that may send the wrong message to the TOT's this year. Considering that some of those little TOT's will be the neighbor boys that stole and squashed my good tomatoes & then were less than truthful about the incident, I thought it would be fitting. Security cameras don't lie though. Their parents looked a little like Pumpkin Nuggin when they saw the video.

    Why does your blog inspire me to write long winded replies?

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  43. He's a fine looking man he is. Pimped out to the max. I love the grape vine body.

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  44. I am so glad you shared this ole guy!~ I love the creativity involved here. Thanks Bliss Doos:)

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  45. Whoa!!!!! AWESOME!! You just constantly blow me away. This is the most artful scarecrow I've seen. It really evokes an eerie sensibility. Pinning!
    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!

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