DENVER -- One of the great things about making projects on TV is that I can show you how fast and easy it is to create something really fun. But, to twist a cliche, actions are faster than words.

When you glance at the directions below for making these fun party favors, don't be intimidated by the number of steps. It takes a lot of words to spell out every thing you need to do, even if the things you'll do are really fast and easy.

Basically all you'll do is blow up balloons, cover them with tissue paper, let them dry, remove the balloons, and decorate the paper shapes. Nothing could be easier, trust me.

This is another inexpensive, easy project that would be a lot of fun to make with children.

With Christmas coming, think about how to adapt this project, using different colors of paper, into a Christmas treat container or tree ornament.

What You Need

Balloons, assorted sizes
Tissue paper, orange and black
Elmer's white glue
Junky brush
Glitter
Wire scraps or black pipecleaners

What to Do

1. Blow up balloons. Blow some 4" or 5" diameter for larger shapes, some 2" or 3" diameter for small shapes.

2. Tear orange tissue paper into rough pieces, about 1" x 2."

3. Put glue into paper cup or other disposable container.

4. Holding balloon at the top where the knot is in one hand, use other hand and the junky brush to paint a layer of glue around the bottom third of the balloon.

5. Still holding balloon (you can't set it down at any point in the process or the paper will stick to the surface and come off the balloon) lay pieces of tissue paper over the glue, overlapping them slightly.

6. Paint more glue over the layer of paper, then apply another layer of paper over that glue, paint over with glue again. The glue will dry clear.

7. Progress in this manner, first a layer of glue, then a layer of paper, then another layer of paper and glue, working your way up the balloon until you are almost at the top of the balloon.

8. Now, your balloon should be covered all over in at least 2 layers of paper and glue. Check for spots that need more paper, apply as before.

9. Tie a string around the knot of the balloon, use to hang balloon from a cupboard door or other place where it will hang freely without touching anything.

10. Let dry. This will take a couple of hours, at least.

11. When paper is completely dry, use a pin to pop the balloon close to the knot. As the balloon deflates, your paper shell may crumple inward. Don't worry!

12. When the balloon has deflated, use scissors to cut a nice even opening at the top of your paper shell, then reach in and remove the balloon skin.

13. If the paper shell has crumpled, use your fingers or the back of a spoon inserted into the opening to push the shell back into shape.

14. Cut scraps of black tissue into eyes, a nose and a big goofy grin. Paint glue on surface, apply features, paint glue over them.

15. Poke holes into both sides of the top of the shell, about 1/2 inch from the top of the opening. Curve wire scrap to fit as handle, bending ends upward so the handle will stay in place.

16. Add a rough thin coat of glue to the front of the shell and the wire handle.

17. Put a small amount of glitter onto a piece of paper. Roll front of shell over glue. The result should be a light dusting of glitter, not a thick layer. Press handle into glitter, also.

18. Let glitter dry, fill shells with treats.