My newest “Featured Creature” this Halloween season is this creepy Eyeball Plant. I’ve decided that all future Halloween projects are going to be creatures, so I can start to form an actual theme for my yard every year. Super excited to have a plan!
I used a lot of the same techniques as my Creepy Tree from last season.
Materials:
PVC Pipes and Connections
Rocks
Pool Noodles (or Dollar Tree)
Mesh Tubing (or Dollar Tree)
Plastic Eyeballs (or Dollar Tree)
Fake Leaves (or Michaels)
Balloon (Dollar Tree)
Flexbond (or Home Depot)
Scrap Paper
Foam Spray (or Lowes/Home Depot)
Green Spray Paint (or Lowes/Home Depot)
Green Paint
Red Paint
Gold paint
Black Sharpie
Red Sharpie
Paint Roller
Paint Brush
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, I built my plant’s “skeleton” out of PVC pipes. I used a few connections to add “branches” and make the top curve up and out.
I put the PVC pipe structure into a flower pot. I got a cheap plastic tub from the Dollar Tree, but if I could do it over, I would’ve used something a lot bigger and heavier. Lesson learned. I put a big rock on top of the PVC pipes to hold them in place.
Then, I started to cover up the rock with foam spray.
I used the Big Gap Filler because the foam is a little thicker.
Then, I cut two pool noodles lengthwise.
I wrapped them around the main pipe on the structure to give it some thickness.
I used black electrical tape to secure the pool noodle to the pipe.
Then, I filled the bucket with more foam spray.
I blew up a balloon so I could measure what size I wanted the giant eyeball to be.
I got out my Flexbond Thin-set Mortar that I used for my Paper Mache Kraken.
I mixed it with some water until I had a thick paste.
I cut up some strips of scrap paper from all the junk mail we get.
Then, I started dipping the strips into the paste and applying them to my blown up balloon. Essentially, I created a method of paper mache that would withstand the elements and not deteriorate over time. By using mortar, I made it thicker and more durable.
I did several thick layers, leaving a hole open in the back where I could pop the balloon and place the eyeball onto the top of the PVC pipe structure. I let it dry for a few days.
Next, I pulled out a roll of drywall tape.
I wrapped the tape around the structure over the pool noodle and PVC “arms”. I did this to give the surfaces some texture. The foam spray works so much better on a textured surface because it can adhere to something.
I busted out my bag of plastic eyeballs I got from the Dollar Tree.
I started poking two little holes in the back of each eyeball and threading floral wire through them. I twisted the wire so the eyeballs would have a “stem”.
I got out my fake leaves that I’d gotten from Michaels.
I cut off a few stems and started placing them around the eyeballs.
I used more floral wire and some hot glue to secure them all together to get little individual “flowers”.
I was so pleased with the result that I put them together in a bouquet to take some photos for the IG (@thecraftcrib)!
I added some fake stems and branches I got from the Christmas section at the Dollar Tree. I used even more floral wire to secure them all together.
Next, I got out my green mesh tube, also purchased from the Dollar Tree.
I wrapped the tubing all around the structure to give it even more texture and bulk before applying the foam spray. This step isn’t really necessary, but the mesh tube was $1 and I thought it might help bulk up my structure without making it any heavier.
I started adding my eyeballs to the base. I just placed the stems where I wanted them and used more floral wire to wrap them and secure them in place.
Then, I started in on the foam spray.
I just worked my way up from the bottom and created strands.
The foam spray does continue to expand as it dries, so make sure you give it some time to set before you keep adding more.
I probably did 5 or 6 applications, waiting in between for the foam to harden and dry.
Next, I got out my spray paint. I started with a dark green.
I hooked the can up to my nifty Comfort Grip.
And I started covering all the foam.
I got a good base completed.
Then I went back to my balloon eyeball and popped the balloon.
I cut out a nice round hole in the back.
Then, I made sure it was going to fit on the top of my pipe.
Once I had the hole the right size, I got out some exterior white paint I had in my garage cabinet from when we had our trim re-painted.
I lightly sanded the eyeball to smooth the surface and painted 2 layers of white paint on it.
Once the paint was dry, I used an old cup to trace a circle on the front of the eyeball with a Sharpie.
I painted a thick border in black where the Sharpie was.
While the paint dried, I got out some more green paint. I used a sample I’d bought a while back.
I poured the paint out and used a mini roller with it.
I used the roller to roll the lighter colored green paint right over top of the dark green spray paint.
This gave the whole piece some really good dimension.
While that paint dried, I went back and pulled another paint sample I had that was red.
I painted the inside of the eyeball circle, leaving an outline in black.
Then, I traced another small circle in the red, and painted that one black, to represent the pupil.
I painted a few small strands of a different color red paint to give the iris some dimension.
Then, I put some gold highlights in as well.
Once that dried, I added the eyeball to the plant. I sprayed some foam spray inside the eyeball, placed it over the PVC pipe and pool noodle, then sprayed even more foam around it to hold it in place.
I pressed a few branches with the fake leaves into the foam spray before it dried. Then I sprayed a little more foam on top of that to hold them in place.
Then, I used the dark green spray paint to cover up the foam color, and I rolled the lighter green paint on top of that when it dried, so it would match the rest of the piece.
To give the piece one more bit of dimension, I used one more layer of bright green paint.
I applied it with a cheap sponge brush and just lightly brushed it on giving the whole piece a nice little alien accent color.
As a finishing touch, I got out a red Sharpie and drew some lines on the eyeball to make it look like it was bloodshot.
Then, I displayed it proudly in my yard! (After taking tons and tons of fun photos)
My future plan is to add at least one new creature to my lineup every season.
In a few years, our yard is going to be the one to see!
Happy Halloween!!!
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Other “Featured Creatures” Posts: