Salt Dough Pumpkins

Pumpkins are nice to display through out the winter months. They add a fall festive color to any room they are displayed. Children enjoy making these pumpkins. They can leave them plain or they can add faces to them and give them a Jack O' Lantern look. These are made with salt dough and are very easy as you don't have to be concerned with perfection. Not all pumpkins look a like so encourage variety.

Supplies

Make some salt dough,
1 cup of salt
2 cups of flour
3/4 to 1 cup of lukewarm water (add the water by small amounts. Sometimes too much or too little ruins the recipe).
In a large bowl, combine the salt and the flour
Make a well in the salt/flour mixture and add the water
Knead until smooth and shape into a ball
When not in use, wrap in plastic or store in an airtight container

Directions

Depending on the size you want for your pumpkins, you will need to form the shape accordingly.
I have in the past taken aluminum foil, made a ball then put the salt dough over that. The larger the object the better chance of it cooking.
This also helped to make sure they cooked in the middle if they are thick.
I add ridges to make it look realistic and give it a stem.
Bake in pre-heated oven 350 degrees for 1/2 hours or more, depending on thickness of the piece. It should be hard and brownish when done.
Cool on racks after taking them from the pan.
They can be painted and decorated when cool.
Paint with acrylic paint and try some sequins and other material you have on hand.
After the paint dries you can then apply clear acrylic spray to preserve them from humidity.
Spray at least five coats.