DIY Projects & Crafts Papier-Mache Hot Air Balloons The sky is the limit with these charming papier-mache balloons: Use them at children's parties, baby showers, nurseries, or any place your decor needs a lift. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 1, 2018 What You'll Need Materials 12-inch balloon Large bowl Newspaper Half-water/half-white-glue mixture Scissors Sandpaper 1/4-inch tape Craft paint in 3 to 4 colors Paintbrush 1/4-inch ribbon Fabric glue Paper cup Pencil 1/4-inch hole punch Scrap of pom-pom trim Monofilament Small 2-inch scrap of dowel or piece of wood Wooden bead Instructions Blow up balloon and place in a large bowl for stability. Cut newspaper into long, skinny triangles. Dip newspaper strips into glue mixture and papier-mache 3 layers of newspaper onto balloon. When papier-mache is completely dry, cut a small hole in bottom and slowly deflate the balloon. Even out the bottom hole with scissors. If the dry papier-mache is too wrinkled or bumpy, sand it smooth. Section the papier-mache balloon into 8 equal lengthwise parts with 1/4-inch tape. Alternating colors, paint sections of balloon with craft paint. Remove tape. Attach 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon over tape lines with fabric glue. Glue two long pieces of ribbon in an X over top of balloon, with ends hanging down to hold basket. To make the hot-air balloon basket, mark a paper cup 2 3/4 inches from the bottom, all the way around the cup. Cut off the top of the cup with scissors. Paint cup with craft paint to match the balloon. Make four equidistant marks around top of cup, and then use a hole punch to make a ribbon hole at each mark. Add pom-pom trim around outside of cup with fabric glue. Tie monofilament to a 2-inch length of dowel, then thread through top center of balloon for hanging. Hang balloon before attaching basket. To attach basket, thread four hanging ends of ribbon through each hole on the basket, from the inside out, then pull and slide ribbons until basket is level. Thread all ends of ribbon through a painted wooden bead under basket; tie in knot. Add additional embellishments to balloon as desired.