Front Porch Ghosts
ghost

ghost2
YOU WILL NEED:
For each ghost:
7-foot length of clothesline wire
padded clothes hanger
two 3-foot lengths of polyethyiene foam pipe insulation to fit 3/4-inch pipe
heavy duty clear packing tape
bubble wrapp
plastic foam wig head
recycled white dress with tulle or other sheer
20 pound test fishing line
latex - rubber or white fabric gloves
cotton balls
white masks (optional)
translucent trash bags 1/2 mil or less
glue gun and hotmelt adhesive
screw eyes - nails - or push pins (for flying ghost), or tail candelabra (for standing ghost)
flowing fabic (look for prom or wedding dresses at thrift store)
 

DIRECTIONS:
01. For the arms, wrap the center of the clothesline wire six times around the padded area of the hanger so an equal length of wire extends beyond each of the hangers ends.

02. Slide a piece of pipe insulation over each end of the wire and up onto the padded area of the hanger.

03. Use packing tape to connect and secure the pipe insulation at the center of the hanger.

04. Straighten the hanger hook. For the torso, drape a piece of bubble wrapp in the desired length over the hanger, letting it fall over the front and back of the hanger.

05. Push the straightened hook through the wrap. Add as many layers of bubble wrap as needed for fullness.

06. Tape the front layers to the back just below the hanger. Insert the straightened hook onto the center bottom of the plastic foam head; hot glue in place.

07. Use tape and glue to secure the head to torso.

08. Arrange the dress or fabric on the assembled body. To aid in assembly, suspend the ghost with fishing line at the neck and each arm. Attach enough extra line to accomodate the ghost's final location and height.

09. Shred and tear the dress with scissors, cutting off some pieces of the fabric. Glue strips of the torn fabric to the head for hair.

10. Cut the arms to desired length. Stuff the fingers and hands of the gloves with cotton balls. Slip the stuffed gloves onto the arms and secure with tape. If fabric gloves are used, bend and glue the fingers in place.

11. Continue to tear and attach fabric for a ghostlike effect. Cut, shred, and tear pieces of the trash bags and glue on where needed to fill out the figure.

12. Bend arms to the desired shape. Place a white mask on the head if desired.

13. For a flying ghost, insert screw eyes, hooks, or pushpins into the soffit or ceiling and suspend the ghost with fishing line. Use extra lengths of fishing line to prevent it from spinning.

14. For a standing ghost, drape the ghost over a tall candelabra and secure with tape.

© Better Homes & Gardens

 

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