Lets Make an Anxiety Pumpkin for a Contest
Working on a psychiatric unit, we thought it would be a great idea to do the characters for inside out. My responsibility was doing the Anxiety character.
Making this Anxiety pumpkin for our contest was such a fun and surprisingly therapeutic project! When the idea came up to create Inside Out characters, I immediately knew I wanted to tackle Anxiety. It’s such a relatable character, especially with the upcoming Inside Out 2, and translating that spiky hair and anxious expression onto a pumpkin seemed like a perfect challenge. First things first, I picked out a nice, round pumpkin as my base. The key to a vibrant look, especially for Anxiety’s bright orange color, was to give it a good glitter base. I covered my crafting table with newspaper (a must for glitter!) and applied a generous layer of adhesive before sprinkling on shimmering orange glitter. It instantly gave the pumpkin that cartoonish, sparkling feel. Next came the distinctive features. Anxiety has those big, wide green eyes and a very expressive, pulled-at-the-collar mouth. I found that cardboard cutouts worked best for these. I sketched out the shapes for the large eyes and the wide, anxious mouth, then carefully cut them out. Painting them accurately was crucial to capturing her distinct look. For the hair, I went with orange, curly paper strips. Attaching these around the top of the pumpkin really brought the character to life, giving her that wild, spiky hairstyle. Don't forget the details! Her signature pose often involves her pulling at her collar, so adding arms was essential. I created painted cardboard arms and hands, complete with red and white striped sleeves, to mimic her outfit. These small touches truly make the character recognizable. Finally, to give it that extra contest-winning flair, I crafted a tiny ID badge that reads 'ANXIETY BHS 2' with a barcode, just like in the movie. Displaying the finished Anxiety pumpkin on a gold tray really made it pop! If you're thinking of making your own Inside Out pumpkin or joining a pumpkin decorating contest, here are a few tips: Plan Ahead: Sketching out your design and gathering all materials like paint, glitter, cardboard, and paper strips beforehand saves a lot of hassle. Character Choice: Think about what character's features translate well to a pumpkin shape. Joy, Sadness, Disgust, and Anger are also fantastic choices and could make for a vibrant display of pumpkins alongside Anxiety. Layering is Key: For vibrant colors and textures, don't be afraid to layer paint and glitter. Secure Attachments: Use strong glue for cardboard cutouts and other embellishments to ensure your creation lasts through the fall season. Personal Touch: Adding small, unique details, like the ID badge for Anxiety, can make your entry stand out and show your dedication. Consider Display: How will your pumpkin be presented? A simple gold tray or a colorful backdrop can enhance its overall look. It was incredibly rewarding to see the finished Anxiety pumpkin come together. It's not just a decoration; it's a little piece of art that brought a lot of smiles, and I learned so much during the process. I highly recommend trying an Inside Out themed pumpkin this fall!
