Crafting a pumpkin from orange slice gumdrops,
toothpicks and a Styrofoam ball is a great way
to keep the kids entertained and results in a
beautiful centerpiece you'll just want to eat
up.
2 Spearmint
leaves aka green gumdrops that look like
leaves
Aluminum
foil
Toothpicks,
approximately 35
4"
Styrofoam ball
* Our sample
used 65 orange slices (33 oz). However the
number needed will vary depending on how close
or far you place them.
Tips:
Place a piece of foil or wax paper
on your work surface. It will help keep your gumdrops clean
and speed up the clean up time.
A good way to cut the toothpicks is
to hold you hand over the toothpick and cut it with a pair of
scissors. Your hand should keep it from flying across the
room.
Flatten
the bottom of the Styrofoam ball by pressing
it down on a flat surface.
Cover the Styrofoam with foil.
Cut a toothpick in half. Insert the cut
end of the toothpick into the flat side of
an orange slice gumdrop about 1/4" from one
end.
With the foil covered Styrofoam ball
flat on your table, place the pointed end of
the toothpick into the Styrofoam so that the
bottom of the orange slice is even with the
bottom of the Styrofoam ball.
Continue adding orange slices as you did
in steps 3 and 4 until you have a row all
around the bottom of the Styrofoam ball. You
should place the orange slices close
together so that you do not see the foil.
It's ok if a little shows through.
Once your first row of gumdrops is
complete, start a second row above the first
row. These gumdrops should slightly
overlap the row below.
Create a third row above the second row
with the gumdrops overlapping the previous
row.
Once you have made three rows, there
will still be an unfinished area on the top.
To cover this area, cut one orange slice in
half lengthwise. Lay it down flat on the top
center with the two straight edges touching.
It should form a circle. You do not
need to secure this piece with toothpicks as
it will be secured by the leaves.
The last row will be made with half
gumdrops and will be place between the third
row and the one you placed flat on top.
Cut six gumdrops in half crosswise (across
in the shorter direction)
Insert a cut toothpick into one of the
cut gumdrop pieces along the flat edge.
Stick the other end of the toothpick
into the Styrofoam so that the cut edge is
facing the third row of gumdrops and the
narrow end is slightly overlapping the
flattened center gumdrop.
Continue around until the foil covered
ball is covered in gumdrops. You many not
need all the gumdrop pieces you cut or
you may need more depending on your spacing.
Place one full toothpick into the end of
each of the two spearmint leaf gumdrops
(green gumdrops).
Insert the other end of each of these
toothpicks into the top of the completed
pumpkin going straight through the flattened
top gumdrop.
Flatten
the bottom of the Styrofoam ball by pressing
it down on a flat surface.
