I haven't made any of these but my daughter got one as a gift. They had used a straw hat instead of the stem but was really cute. I had or have plans to make one for myself.

Thanks ladycraft for your reply. Have now successfully completed two, second one a little smaller I made this one the same way as above using a 'new' TS plastic pumpkin, both stems are holding up good-although like a fresh pumpkin I wouldn't suggested picking it up with the stem. Also tried to make an even smaller one using a small squash shell, but fell in 2 pieces when I tried to remove for carving-I think the shell was still a little to damp, would still like to have a set of three though! Bet your daughter's look very cute with that hat! do you have a pic. and did you find your plans?
Well have a good one! Wendy

Have finished working on the tufa pumpkins and loaded a couple of pics...so if you would like to take a peek click on the webshots link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Webshots

How cute. I have to ask how you did that. If you are useing a realy pumpking and pack it on the outside how do you get the pumpkin out. If useing a plastic again how do you do it. I have just started doing hypertufa and made a few items that are still in the cureing process so of course I want to do everything . Any ideas would be appreciated. thanks Bea

beaw, If you haven't seen it yet my basic instructions are in my first post-pack the tufa tightly on the inside of a kids plastic pumpkin treat bucket (remove the handle first). After I had the mix around all sides I added a plastic bag (first)then gently filled with fine sand to keep the tufa sides tightly packed, I then made the enclosed top and (wire) stem. Next day a Dermal tool was used to cut slits around the outsides of the plastic then taped back up-an opening was carved in the lower back to remove the sandbag but do not do this till you have carved the face-which need to be done ASAP before the tufa harden, this step can take a while. I find that T-light candles produce to much heat (could crack the tufa) so plan to use battery operated flicker lights.
Our low temps are getting close to freezing so as these tufa pumpkins are still green they are now inside in a front window, at least for this year. In the summer I plan to tuck one between plants in a damp spot for moss to grow and hopefully a toad will use it as his new home :) Wendy

Wendy, thats for resposting . I did not understand the cutting of the plastic pumpkin but now I do . Great idea Im going to have to make a pumpkin run now.
thanks for the help :) Bea

beaw, when I said, carve as ASAP I should add have said before the tufa gets too hard, but not rock hard-after 24 hours I give tufa a scratch test with a nail or knife you need to be able to make a mark but not so that the tufa crumble. Also make some cuts in the plastic on the face for easier removal, handle carefully and remove the plastic pumpkin and carve. I sat mine on a plastic covered small sand pile for support while carving. Hopefully I've covered everything now. Have fun! Wendy

Wendy I love them! They have so much character!
kathy

Thanks Kathy! when I tried the first one didn't know if this would work, maybe next year I'll try one without the mold! lol - Wendy

Well aren't you clever! I have to give this a try.

I've been going to try cutting the plastic pumpkin in half from top to bottom and then duct taping it back together before putting the hypertufa in, then once its setup, remove the duct tape. I'm curious, how did you make the lid with the stem?

Gemfire

Gemfire I'm so glad you brought this back to the top. I read alot at work but can't see pictures and by the time I get home I've forgot my brain and don't follow up. Elephantear I really like the method you used. Will be much less weight and the stem is really nice. I never found my plan. Seems like there were many conflicts this year. My hypertufa seems more course than yours. Do you use perlite? On the list for next year. Kathy S

Hi, gemfire-cutting and duct taping the plastic pumpkin first could work just as well, let me know how this method works for you?. There is no actual lid, after I filled the inserted sand-filled bag I then cut of the excess plastic, then added more 'tufa for the top, shaping as I went along. I made the stem separately with a piece of wire from a coat-hanger, bent to shape, I then added a piece of tinfoil for something for the mix to cling to, let the stem set-up before handling, then with more wet tufa mix place on the top of the pumpkin. Let set up overnight then being careful not to bump the stem remove the sand filled plastic bag from the lower opening by first slitting the bag to remove the sand, then remove the empty bag.
ladycraft, no I didn't use perlite, I used a sand and peatmoss in this mix. These are hollow so not heavy at all. Good luck and happy you are enjoying my fun creation! Wendy

I was at a workshop where the presenter made the nicest tufa pumpkin by using 2 identical bunt pans as molds on day one, then put them together on day 2.