I wanted something Halloween-ish yet not too scary for my back porch this year, so I decided to make some spooky Halloween ghosts made from gourds.
And since they’re not THAT spooky they’d make a fun craft to include the kids on. (Just bring the kids in on the last part of the tutorial though, the cleaning part is not super duper kid-friendly as you’ll see in my instructions).
How To Make Halloween Ghosts Made From Gourds
Supplies:
- Dried Gourds*
- White Spray Paint
- Black Craft paint
- Small Craft Paintbrush
- Cheesecloth
Instructions:
To Clean Gourds –
- If your gourds have not been previously cleaned when you buy them they will have dirty, moldy, crusty stuff on the skin. If your gourds are cleaned for you already, skip down to the To Make Ghosts steps.
- To remove the crust, soak your gourds for two hours in a bucket of water with a splash of dish detergent and a dash of bleach. This will soften the crusty exterior and keep the mold and dirt from becoming airborne.*
- After soaking, you should be able to remove the outer crust with a kitchen scrub pad. Throw the scrub pad away when you are done with this step, because it’s going to be nasty.
- Allow the gourds to air dry.
To Make Ghosts –
- Spray paint the gourds white. I hang mine from tree branches with twine to make it easier to spray the whole gourd at one time.
- After the spray paint has dried thoroughly, paint the faces on with black craft paint. Get creative with your faces.
- Cut a length of cheesecloth and place over the top and your “ghost” is complete.
*It is recommended to use a respirator over your mouth and nose so as to limit your exposure to the mold. I personally have not used one, but I’m not always the sharpest tool in the pumpkin shed. If you want to include the kids in on the fun, I would definitely leave that step to the grownups though and maybe have them start off with the already spray painted gourds.
Here’s a couple of the faces I created.
A few years ago, I made some smaller gourd ghosts using Chinese bottle gourds. I think the little guys look a little more like the real thing???
Because if there is one thing I’m an expert on, it’s ghosts.
Did I ever mention that one of the reasons I love my house is that when we came to see it the first time I didn’t get any feelings that someone (of the transparent variety) was already “living” in the house? Can’t say that about everywhere I’ve lived.
How about you? Have you ever lived in a haunted house?
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
*I’ve had people ask where they can find dried gourds online. I normally buy mine at a local farm market, but I have seen quite a few for sale on Etsy. For instance Front Porch Gourds has a nice selection of them (I’ve never personally bought from them, but they do have a five star rating on etsy).
The gourds I’ve used are:
Chinese bottle gourds (the small guys)
Martin gourds (the larger round-ish ones)
Long handled dipper gourds (the tall, thin scary dudes)
Oh my goodness what a great idea! They look like they are floating with the cheesecloth! I’ll have to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Oh how cute is this. I love them. Such a clever idea. I would love for you to link up to my ongoing Inspire Me party. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/187th-inspire-me-tuesday.html This is definitely inspiring. Hugs, Marty
Great ghosts!
I like the little guys too.
Looks like you’ve got some pretty cute decorations around your place 🙂
Oh how cute….in a spooky way of course! I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and realized how rude I’ve been never leaving a comment. Sorry about that. I really enjoy your sense of humor your creativity and you outlook on things. Thanks for brightening up my day!
I like both of your ghosts. They don’t all look alike, you know.
We have ghosts in and out of our house. They just want to know what’s going on, and occasionally borrow the cheese cutter.
I love these guys. The cheese cloth is the perfect touch!
These are what we call “stinkin’ cute”. Now I have to go buy gourds. We lived in a haunted house when I was in middle school. Nothing awful, we just heard her walking around. We always called her “Aunt Jane”, which is weird, because I never had an Aunt Jane.
I really like your idea of making ghosts from gourds. What a cute and original idea!
How fun are they! I think your ghosts need to come visit my ghosts.
Oh I love these guys! Big ones and the little ones… and the real ones! But that is probably only b/c I haven’t lived with any real ones. Love my ghost shows on TV. I’ll take livin’ with those teeny barn dwellers any day. 🙂
When I have time I will write and tell you about our experiences….I just don’t want to do it here and have people think I am even crazier than they already think I am- lol
LOVE your cute little ghosts. xo Diana
LOVE the ghosts. Creative idea, for sure. My grandma, may she rest in peace… roams the halls of her old home.
Oh, yes, we’ve got ghosts ‘a plenty at 911! Some say it’s just the noise our steam heating system makes, but I know it’s ghosts.
I like your little guys, too. They look right at home in the barn. Do they boo or moo?
Both sets are cute.
No to the Haunted House.
M 🙂
You win the prize for cutest ghosts! (have no idea what the prize is though) I have never lived in a haunted house–though the paranormal interests and scares me. I am guessing I am not a sensitive though I have always wondered if Gage is (my son).I always make sure I don’t “get a bad feeling” when I am buying something from a thrift store. I only want to bring home good energy!
Cute, cute, cute…my kids will LOVE these 🙂
I prefer friendly ghosts….like Casper….so I really like the last ghost you pictured!!!
My grandparents house was haunted. Love your adorable ghosts. xo Laura
so darn cute, love the cheesecloth for extra spookiness!!
These are the cutest ghosts I’ve ever seen! Love them!! -Amy
Pam, your gourd ghosts are just the cutest things! I may have to conjure up some of my own!
These are fantastic!!!
I am so into Halloween décor…love to make it fun for the neighborhood children! This such a great idea…looks wonderful, too! Thanks for sharing!
These are so cute! Very clever! Stumbled!
These are so cool looking. I love it.