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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