Scalloped Tissue Paper Pumpkin

Every time Halloween rolls around I look for new ways to decorate pumpkins. Though I don’t think I will ever grow tired of washi tape covered pumpkins, or even chalkboard covered ones, it’s nice to try something new each year. So in the spirit of trying something new I created this scalloped tissue paper pumpkin! I have to say it’s my favorite no-carve pumpkin decorating project to date, though I am a little bias.

I based the project on these tissue paper covered lanterns that you may have seen all over Pinterest. You can use various colors of tissue paper and silver mylar like I did, or you can use all one color for a uniform look. I also think it would look lovely in three similar shades, to create an ombre effect.

Supplies:
– Pumpkin (I used a faux one but it will also work on real pumpkins)
– Tissue paper
– Small round object to use as a template (I used a tiny jar about 2″ in diameter, you can also use a cookie cutter)
– Pencil
– Scissors
– Double sided tape

Start by folding one sheet of tissue paper in half, lengthwise. Then fold it in half again… and again. Place your shape template (tiny jar, lid, cookie cutter) on top of the folded tissue paper and trace the shape with a pencil. Repeat again until one side of the paper is filled.

Cut out the tissue paper circles. Since the paper is folded, you will cut a lot out at once. Repeat this step again with the other colors. I used 1 sheet of each of the 4 colors to cover the entire medium sized pumpkin.

Place a small piece of double sided tape towards the top of a tissue paper circle. Then place it on the pumpkin. Add another circle directly next to it. I started adhering the paper circles to the top of the pumpkin and worked my way down, one row at a time. Each row below the next will be shifted half way over. This is how it creates a scalloped look.

After completing the pumpkin I realized that it may have been easier to start at the bottom and go up. Either method works and leads to the same results. If you try out this tutorial, please let me know which method you used!