Pull String Pig Pinata

Say that 5 times fast!

Most of the Angry Birds Party Supplies are sold out in my area

and I knew I wanted a pull string pinata for Michael's Party.

So why not make one?

and for a fraction of the cost!

This one cost about $3 to make.

Woot Woot.

I saw a few terrific instructional posts HERE at Young House Love.

Aren't they he cutest!

And HERE at Frugal NJ

And HERE at Fancy Frugally

Gather your supplies:

Balloon in the size you want - I chose a large punch balloon.

Bowl to hold the balloon

Newpaper and/ Flyers

Paste

Curling Ribbon

Construction Paper

Crepe Paper

Scissors

Glue - Hot and Elmer's

Pinata Filling

Luckily I already had some punch balloons from Target on hand.

They were leftovers from Easter.

I got Jaime to blow up the balloon, since I didn't want aggravate my jaw.

Then I laughed when he almost passed out once he finished.

Don't worry, he was fine.

I also grabbed all the grocery store flyers I had been hording

and cut them into large strips.

I found that larger strips made the process move more quickly.

Mix up your paste.

One part water to one part flour.

I used 2 cups of water and 2 cups of flour

Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to take away the blah odor.

Also, add a teaspoon of salt to prevent mold.

I didn't.

I felt like I was making pancakes. :)

Now onto the messy part.

Dip your strips in the paste, I then ran the strip flat between my 

index and middle finger to remove the excess paste.

Apply to the balloon in an overlapping pattern.

Work your way down the balloon and then 

flip over and start on the on the other side.

Repeat this process for at least 4 layers.

and here it is all covered.

I let it sit out all night,

but it was still wet in the morning.

I tried the blow dryer idea, and it did help a bit, 

but it needed more drying time.

I then set it in front of a fan for a few hours and that did the trick.

Spare yourself the aggravation and just set it in front of a fan when you are done.

Here it is all set up.

Pull the end of the balloon and pop it.

It makes a fun noise.  Luna came running over to investigate and protect. 

Pick a top and bottom.

Cut a flap at the bottom, 4 X 6 X 4

Pull out the deflated balloon.

Reinforce the attached side with masking tape.

To hang, cut 2 slits at the top of the pinata.

Loop several lengths of ribbon.

Feed the ends through the outside and tie together on the inside.

Cut your ribbon into long lengths.

You should have at least one ribbon for every child.

Decide how many strings will open the pinata.

I chose 3 and poked 3 holes into the flap, fed through the string,

and tied several knots and taped the end down on the inside of the flap.

Fill up the pinata.

This is when I realized, this puppy was HEAVY.

The ribbon I tied for the hanger would not be strong enough.

When in doubt, add more ribbon loops.  More is better.

Push the flap into the hole.

Since my filling was heavy, I used clear packing tape on the open edges of the flap.

Diagonally on the corners and across the straight edges.

I then realized that the tape didn't want to stick well, so I hot glued in place.

Gotta love the hot glue!

Take the remaining ribbon that will not open the flap

and hot glue them randomly at the bottom of the pinata.

They will pull away when yanked.

Now comes the fun part!

Cut your crepe paper into 6 - 8 inch lengths.

Using regular glue, lay a line of glue and lay the top edge of the paper on the line.

I started at the bottom of the front of the pinata, near the ribbon, 

and worked my way up.

Once the rows are complete, cut the paper into flaps and fluff.

Overlap the next layer row at least half way onto the first layer.

Repeat on the other side.

Fill in the gaps on the edges and the bottom with individual paper pieces.

I then drew a nose on green construction paper and outlined it with a sharpie.

Same thing with the eyes.

The crown is made with yellow card stock and left over blue paper.

All are attached with hot glue.

This guy was a party hit!

I will be posting party pictures shortly.

XOXO,

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Linking up to these great parties:

Monday The Girl Creative *Craftomaniac *  Skip to my Lou * Mad in Crafts * Keeping It Simple * Sumo's Sweet Stuff * C.R.A.F.T. * Making The World Cuter * Alderberry Hill * Singing Three Little Birds *Ask Anna * Get Outta My Head Please * Three Mango Seeds * Lisa's Craft Blog * Polly Want a Crafter * DIY Home Sweet Home * Sew Can Do *  Cooking with Karyn * An Original Belle * Destination: Craft * Toastie Studio * I should be mopping the floor * Everything Under the Moon * Jillify It

Tuesday - Tip Junkie * Sugarbee Crafts * Funky Polkadot Giraffe * My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia * Crafty Confessions * Home Stories A to Z * Homework * Not Just a Housewife * Project Queen *A Diamond in the Stuff * Cherished Bliss * Blackberry Vine * Uncommon * The Southern Product Queen


Wednesday - Someday Crafts *Sew Much Ado * Tea Rose Home *A Little Tipsy * The Thrifty Home * Fireflies and Jellybeans * My Girlish Whims * Gingersnap Crafts *  Raegun Wear * The CSI Project* The Stuff of Success * Lil' Luna * The Sasse Life * Fine Craft Guild * Savvy Southern Style

Thursday - Somewhat Simple * The Shabbycreek Cottage * The 36th Avenue * Thrifty 101 * A Creative Princess * House of Hepworths * The Artsy Girl Connection * Katie's Nesting Spot * Between U and Me * A Glimpse Inside * Christina's Adventures * Made in a Day * Adventures in Dinner * Embracing Change * 52 Mantels * The Taylor House

Friday - Thirty Handmade Days * Romantic Home *Tatertots and Jello* Simply Designing * Creation Corner * Blissful and Domestic * Young and Crafty * Delicate Construction * Happy Hour Projects * Sassy Sites *  Whipperberry * Little Inspiration * Serenity Now * Here Comes The Sun * Tidy Mom * Raising Oranges * Happy Go Lucky * The Grant Life * Toys in the Dryer * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Bacon Time * At the Picket Fence * Miss Mustard Seed * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Saturday - Positively Splendid.com * Be Different Act Normal * Family Ever After *Lovely Crafty Home * Lollyjane * Funky Junk Interiors * Too Much Time On My Hands * Six Sisters Stuff * Country Momma Cooks * Nutmeg Place * Natasha in Oz * Honestly Dyea

Sunday - The DIY Showoff * Nifty Thrifty Things *Petite Hermine * I Heart Naptime * Flamingo Toes * Cherished Treasures *My 1929 Charmer * Embellishing Life Everyday * Sunday Social * Sassafras Salvation * Heatherly Love  * Under the Table and Dreaming * Randee's Organized Chaos