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    Design Dazzle » Crafts

    Published: Apr 10, 2014 · Modified: Oct 20, 2023 by Toni Roberts · This post may contain affiliate links · 46 Comments

    Make a Giant Mushroom Prop For Party Decor

    DIY Giant mushroom

    Make a giant mushroom prop with a foil roaster pan and paper mache - Design Dazzle #dollarstorecraft #partydecor #aliceinwonderland

    Props are important for creating the perfect party atmosphere. I made this giant mushroom for a Vintage Glam Wonderland Party. It was easy to  do and took a bit of time. But more importantly it turned out awesome and was very inexpensive to make. Can you guess what the top of the mushroom is made of? Any guesses? It’s an aluminum foil roast pan purchased at the dollar store! You can make this mushroom using recylables. Save your roast pan when done cooking with it. Save your old newspapers and you have the makings of a paper mache mushroom.

    supplies for giant mushroom

    SUPPLIES:

    large aluminum roast pan – I purchased this at the dollar store. It is the large turkey sized one

    stack of newspapers

    two empty oatmeal or powdered drink type cylinder containers

    paper mache recipe – flour and water

    paint – I used cream and pink

    glitter – optional

    Tutorial: how to make a giant mushroom - Design Dazzle

    Shape the aluminum pan to the shape you need. The aluminum pan is easily workable into a round shape. Turn the tray upside down. Wad up newspapers and lay on “top” of the pan which is actually the bottom (see the top image). I used masking tape to hold the papers in place

    Instructions on how to make a Alice in Wonderland mushroom prop - Design Dazzle

    Then I covered the top in duct tape. This was the color of duct tape I happened to have on hand. All the newspaper was held together by the tape and it also helped shape the top!

    paper mache a large toadstool - Design Dazzle

    Paper Mache solution: Mix flour and water together to create a paste that resembles thick cream. Stir until lumps are gone.

    Tear strips of newspaper and dip into the paper mache solution. Adhere to the top of the mushroom. Keep applying in layers until you get the shape you want. Make sure to let it dry thoroughly between a couple of layers. If not, you can get mold.

    tutorial on how to make a giant mushroom - Design Dazzle

    The stem of the mushroom was created with these two empty cylinder containers stacked on top of each other. Duct tape held them together in place.

    tutorial to make a giant toadstool - Design Dazzle

    Apply paper mache to the stem same as the instructions for the mushroom top. The bottom of the stem was flared out a bit .

    How to paper mache a giant mushroom - Design Dazzle

    The top dimension is 18″ diameter and 7″ in height. The stem is 20.5″ high and 5″ in diameter.

    Paint the mushroom with craft paint. I used cream and pink paint!

    Make a giant mushroom prop using an aluminum foil pan and newspaper - Design Dazzle #AliceinWonderland #partyprops

    Glitter was applied to the mushroom stem and polka dots. I added rose petals and opalescent pink shred to the bottom of the stem.

    Paper mache mushroom - Design Dazzle

    This giant mushroom party prop was used at my Vintage Glam Wonderland Party. It’s been one of my favorite parties ever! Check out the Vintage Glam Wonderland Party. You’ll love the details!

    A delicious and favorite cake to serve at a Vintage Glam Wonderland Party is my good friend’s Chocolate Orange Cake. This cake is moist and gluten-free (although you would never know)!

     

    signature_toni.jpg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Missy says

      April 14, 2014 at 7:56 am

      Great idea! This would be perfect for a fairy or Tinkerbell party!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        April 14, 2014 at 10:39 pm

        Thank you Missy! Yes, this mushroom would definitely work for fairy and Tinkerbell!! Even a Mario Bros red mushroom. : )
        Toni

        Reply
    2. Sunny says

      April 14, 2014 at 8:11 am

      Adorable Toni. I love it. Would be perfect for an Alice tea party.

      Reply
    3. Leonie @ Ashlee Rae says

      April 14, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      SO adorable!!!!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        April 14, 2014 at 10:38 pm

        Thank you Leonie! It makes my heart smile when I realize what it’s made out of!
        Toni

        Reply
    4. Michelle at Honey I'm Home says

      April 15, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      This is BRILLIANT Toni! Love it & I pinned it for future reference.

      Warmly, Michelle

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        April 16, 2014 at 11:09 pm

        Thank you Michelle! You are a sweetheart! I love your talent and your blog!!!

        Reply
    5. Cindy Minguez says

      July 09, 2014 at 3:04 pm

      OMG! You’re a genius! I have been looking everywhere for an affordable mushroom prop rental for my upcoming Alice in Wonderland party in October and now I can just make my own for super cheap. This is perfect!! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        July 13, 2014 at 6:50 am

        Thank you Cindy! My one tip is to start early. A larger prop like this does take time to dry.
        Enjoy!
        Toni

        Reply
    6. Jennifer says

      August 29, 2014 at 6:19 pm

      You’re a genius!! I’m making a whole patchful of these!!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        August 31, 2014 at 7:46 pm

        Thank you Jennifer! I would love to see a picture when you are done. What a great idea to make a whole patchful!

        Reply
    7. Jennifer says

      August 29, 2014 at 6:22 pm

      You’re a genius!!

      Reply
    8. Sue says

      February 17, 2015 at 7:52 am

      How did you attach the cap to the stem? It does not say.

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        February 17, 2015 at 2:55 pm

        Sue,
        I kept it in two separate pieces (easy to store). I just place the cap on the stem – it’s heavy enough that it worked without glue. But you could certainly use E600 to glue it in place.

        Reply
    9. Selsy says

      May 09, 2017 at 11:14 am

      This is so cool. I will have to try to make one!

      Reply
    10. Tammy Barr says

      September 06, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Will the mushroom be hard or will it still be kind of squishy because it’s balled up paper underneath the paper mache

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        September 11, 2017 at 1:03 pm

        My mushroom is hard but not indestructable. The paper mache hardens.

        Reply
    11. Rachael Binder says

      September 18, 2017 at 6:03 pm

      Hi! I really want to use this for an Alice in Wonderland Halloween Party this year. When you form the turkey pan, do you stuff the news paper all around, or just in the concave space?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        September 23, 2017 at 8:32 pm

        I did both! When you start working with it you’ll add a few layers – keep going and adding until it is the shape you want. Get started now because it takes a while to dry.
        Sounds like such a great party. I would love to see pictures! Here is an Alice in Wonderland party I did https://www.designdazzle.com/vintage-glam-alice-in-wonderland-party/ It’s not Halloween but it’s still one of my favorite parties.
        I also did a Halloween in Paris party…
        https://www.designdazzle.com/halloween-in-paris-party-reveal-part-1/

        Reply
    12. Jools says

      October 03, 2017 at 3:06 am

      Double discovery – First Pinterest which has led me to you and your amazing ideas.
      My daughter has just started studying art and has to come up with art ideas using different mediums. These toadstools are a great idea and with full instructions so she can easily make these for any forthcoming projects. Thank you Toni

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:17 am

        I hope she likes making the mushrooms. They are a lot of fun to paint and make!

        Reply
    13. Crystal says

      October 07, 2017 at 10:36 am

      How was the stem attached to top

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:15 am

        It’s not attached. There are two pieces. The top of the mushroom sits quite nicely on the stem.

        Reply
    14. Jitchie H. Barcebal says

      August 21, 2018 at 2:56 am

      Wow! Very creative, perfect for Alice and wonderland theme party!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        August 03, 2022 at 12:36 pm

        Thank you very much!

        Reply
    15. Annette says

      March 13, 2019 at 11:40 am

      How did you attach the top of the mushroom to the stem?

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        April 16, 2019 at 1:14 pm

        I didn’t. I just set it in place. It seemed to work fine.

        Reply
    16. Sandie Rabena says

      July 09, 2019 at 10:33 am

      My girl Toni to the rescue AGAIN! Last year, I made her AWESOME paper towel garland for my daughter’s baby shower. It was so beautiful that even when I told people that it was made from Bounty paper towels, they kept asking questions because they couldn’t wrap their head around the idea of something so simple turning out so beautiful!

      Now it’s my other daughter’s turn for a baby shower! So you know we’ll be making a few of these for our Wonderland/Woodland vibe! Thank you, Toni! You’re SO creative! Thank you for sharing your amazing creativity with all of us!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        June 21, 2023 at 1:07 pm

        Sandie – I just saw your comment. I love that you’ve used some of my ideas. Did you end up making these? With how your paper towel garland turned out I would love to see!
        xoxo

        Reply
    17. Kissné Mika Judit says

      September 01, 2020 at 4:06 am

      Szeretnék ötleteket a kézműves munkáimhoz

      Reply
    18. Denise Sherrell says

      August 28, 2021 at 1:37 am

      Brilliant idea love things like this

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        September 06, 2021 at 5:07 am

        Thanks, Denise. It was enjoyable to create!

        Reply
    19. Doris Herrero says

      February 11, 2023 at 5:24 am

      Great idea, I’m gonna try to make one for my granddaughter birthday next month
      Love it, beautiful

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        February 28, 2023 at 8:46 pm

        Make it far in advance. It is super cute.

        Reply
    20. Sandra says

      April 24, 2023 at 8:57 pm

      Currently making this for a play! How did you create the flared out base?

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        April 26, 2023 at 9:27 pm

        I used newspaper to shape the flared base. I would love to see pics when you’re done. : )

        Reply
    21. żabaztupotu says

      May 17, 2023 at 2:50 pm

      Hi,
      will it be destroyed in case of rain? Can I somehow prevent this?

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        May 26, 2023 at 12:28 pm

        If a bit of rain got on it I think it would be ok if it was wiped off right away. This is made with papermache so it is paper. I wouldn’t know how to seal it to prevent it from being destroyed by water. Maybe check into some type of clear sealer. Please let me know if you find a solution.
        Thank you!

        Reply
    22. Tammie says

      June 19, 2023 at 12:27 pm

      This is a great idea. Once you taped the newspaper inside did you paper mache that too or just the top?

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        June 21, 2023 at 1:09 pm

        Tammie- I did add paper mache to the inside but not as much as I did with the outside of the mushroom. I wanted the mushroom to be as smooth as possible. But the inside of the mushroom top didn’t matter as much.
        Have fun!

        Reply
    23. Christine Doroshenko says

      July 10, 2023 at 8:17 am

      These are perfect for what I want to do thanks

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        July 14, 2023 at 11:59 am

        I’m so glad to help. I would love to see what you end up doing. Send me pics!

        Reply
    24. Alice Sm… says

      September 04, 2023 at 10:16 am

      This is Great… ♠️♣️♥️♦️🕕
      Hi… 👋. My Name Is… Alice… I am 69yrs
      Young… Next Year in June I Will be Turning
      “The Big 70yrs Young”… I’ve told My Daught
      For the Past 2 Years… I Want to Have an
      Alice in Wonderland Party.., So i Have Been
      Searching the Internet and Pinterest for
      Birthday 🎂 Party Idea’s… I Love the
      Mushroom’s and the Recipe for the Paper
      Mache… I Hope You Don’t Mind if i Save it…
      into My “Alice 70nth Tea Party Idea’s “
      Thank You…. Sooo… Much… Alice
      Oh… I’m Late… I’m Late… I Really
      Must Go… ⏱⏰
      Have a Magical Day… 🪅💫🌟✨

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        September 06, 2023 at 11:14 pm

        Oh, you made my day! What a fitting party for Alice : )
        This mushroom is such a cute party prop for Alice in Wonderland. Did you also see my Wonderland Alice glam party? https://www.designdazzle.com/vintage-glam-alice-in-wonderland-party/
        Please let me know how your 70th party is!!
        xoxo

        Reply
    25. Corrina says

      October 09, 2023 at 11:48 am

      Hi! I just made the top half of my toadstool yesterday. Did you paper mache the underside of the cap or just the visible side? I also somehow missed stuffing it with newspaper… would’ve made the shaping MUCH easier…. so I think I’ll stuff the underside today and then paper mache the underside to attach the cap the newspaper ball. Does that make sense?? Excellent idea, either way. I appreciate you!

      Reply
      • Toni - Design Dazzle says

        October 09, 2023 at 7:08 pm

        Yes, the paper mache of the mushroom top was done on the underside. The tape helped keep it all together.
        Yes, it makes sense to stuff in and then paper mache. My mushroom was done in two pieces but you could make one total piece.
        Have fun!

        Reply

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