I wanted to try painting a pumpkin similar to the ones our beloved designer makes. The one that does Black and White Checks, Stripes and Dots. I love their style and wanted to do a mini version. I am not anywhere near as good as the original, but I love trying. Painting takes my mind off all my troubles and becomes therapy for me. It has really helped my Mom over the years too.
This first pumpkin pictured below was bought at a flea market. It was white already but I had to paint it white again to brighten it up. The grooves in the pumpkin were not of even numbers so I had to come up with a design pattern that would work and look good. I used black and white check for three sections, gold leaf for three sections and orange for three sections. You just have to pattern it out ahead of time.
I put it on a candlestick and added a bow. I painted the candlestick with gold leaf too.
Here it is on my antique fireplace mantel. I am decorating for an antique/flea market booth that we will rent the beginning of October. I am setting up my garage to how we want the booth to look.
The next two pumpkins were soup bowls I bought from one of the Dollar Stores. I think it was Family Dollar. I just wanted to practice my painting and practice the types of paints that would cover ceramic. (See picture below for the type of paint.) I also wanted to get in the mood for fall. I bought an orange one and an aqua one.
Again the patterns were not easy to come up with because of the uneven numbers of the grooves. But they were good practice for me.
I used the Folk Art Enamel Paints. These have a wine glass on top of their caps. That makes you aware that the paint can go over glass. I also used Plaid Gold Leaf in “Classic Gold.”
Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!
Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!
Hi My Blog Reader Friends! Today is the one year birthday of my BLOG. I want to thank all of you for reading, looking at my photos, liking, commenting and subscribing! Every view counts! It brings joy to my heart to know there are people who like what I post. This post is about an unconventional color for a pumpkin. It turns out very elegant and upscale.
I just wanted to say that there are times when you just want to give up on social media, blogging, etc. It is not easy. It is time consuming. You wonder if there is ANYONE out there enjoying what you post. But another blogger, who was also my business coach for awhile said, “The first year is the roughest. If you can get through that year and keep going you will see benefits.” I hope she is right.
I got the idea of a pink pumpkin from Kathy at her Facebook Page…..Royale Funky Junque. Go follow her she has terrific ideas.
I knew I wanted mine to be a metallic pink instead of a soft, pale pink. I found all the rose gold/pink embellishments at Hobby Lobby. I also bought the paper mache pumpkin from Hobby Lobby. Pictures of all the supplies will be at the very bottom.
The first thing I did was paint the brown pumpkin white. I thought the true color of the pink would come through much better if I primed it. I was right. Then I painted a good coat of the metallic pink paint. Deco Art Metallic Extreme Sheen in Rose Quartz. I then had to paint a light second coat in some areas. I did not paint my stem because I knew it wouldn’t show. I used the stem to hold the pumpkin while I painted. I could have left it brown. But from now on, I think I will paint it the color of the pumpkin so it all blends.
After it was painted and very dry, I did a Facebook Live and put it all together. You can watch it here: Facebook Live Video
Here are some pictures I took before, during and after.
Here is the pumpkin BEFORE.
The paper mache pumpkin. If they no longer have these, you can use any pumpkin even if it has uneven grooves.
Here are some pictures DURING.
First I painted it white.
Then I painted it 2 coats of pink.
I had to paint the top and let dry and then paint the bottom.
Here are some pictures AFTER.
Here’s a close up of the little bird.
Here’s a close up of the ball.
Here’s a close up of the flower.
The candlestick is what will make this project unique—one-of-a-kind! I bought it at a thrift store and it was dark brown. I dry brushed it with the same metallic pink paint. It is beyond gorgeous. Pictures do not do it justice. I sold this pumpkin the day after my Facebook Video. It is on it’s way to it’s forever home.
The beautiful candlestick
Here are the supplies I used. I bought everything at Hobby Lobby. At the time of purchase all Fall and Christmas was 40% off.
Brown Paper Mache Pumpkin. Here’s the price for 2021. I got 40% off.
This paint is old and I do not know where I bought it from. Just use any white or ivory paint for the primer.
This paint is a beautiful color and has a great sheen to it. DecoArt Metallic Extreme Sheen in Rose Quartz.
You will find these items in the Christmas section of Hobby Lobby. This is the tinsel I used for the grooves in the pumpkin.
Here are the flowers I used. I used only two, but my Hero/Shero used three or four I think.
The picks matched the pinkish rose gold of all the other embellishments and were found on the pick aisle.
These were the other embellishments I used. The balls were on a pick and came with three balls per pick. I only used one. The birds came in a package of four. I only used one.
I truly hope you try your hand at making this pumpkin or one like it in your favorite color. I plan on making a teal color pumpkin soon. I already have made an oil rubbed bronze color pumpkin with more traditional colors. Make these for YOUR store or craft show. Good Luck! Happy Fall!
Thank you for reading my blog!! It means a lot to me!
Crafting, Painting and Creating is Great Therapy!!
This blog kinda serves as a diary for me and my Mom. It will help us remember next year what we made and what sold well. This is our first year doing crafts on this large of a scale. Years ago we made crafts for friends and family and tried our luck with flea markets and small town-square markets. Now everyone is buying online so we hope to do better with our little business. Crafting keeps stress at bay and creating cute, unique items brings joy to the heart.
Here is a Fall Decor item that we finished lately. It needed some pizazz so I added some shimmer gold chalk paste in a leaf design. Email or message me if you would like to buy the paste or transfer from me. I am an Independent Chalk Couture Designer and sell these products. They are very easy to use. Keep reading for more instructions and more pictures.
Mom painted the letters front and back and sides with acrylic paint we had on hand. Brown, Orange, Sage Green and Nutmeg. Then we sanded all the sides because this is just pressed wood.
At first I couldn’t decide if I wanted to chalk with Black or Shimmer Gold. I am glad I chose the gold. Below is a picture of me chalking with the gold.
Below is the letter “L” up close.
Here are the letters up against my painting. Can you tell I love leaves? I have another painting of leaves in my office. Nature is so beautiful to me.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for reading my blog. I hope to get better at doing my posts as time goes by. Comment below if you want to see anything different or if you have any questions whatsoever. I love talking to people who love to craft.
I took up crafting again around February. My Mom was diagnosed with throat cancer. She had a very large tumor growing on her left side in her throat. We were so scared. She noticed the tumor after Thanksgiving last year. It just kept growing so fast. She said to wait until after the holidays, so the first week in January we started looking for a doctor who would accept her as a new patient. That is why I HAD TO DO SOMETHING to take my mind off the possibility of losing her. Long story short, she made it through all her chemo and radiation and got a “clean bill of health” around July of this year. As clean as you can get after having all that done. Her PET SCAN came back clear.
On the day before her birthday in August, my stepfather passed away from a known heart condition. This happened two weeks before he was supposed to have surgery. This year has been heartbreaking. Now you know why I turned back to doing crafts and my Mom has joined in. She said if it wasn’t for doing these crafts she would be in the crazy house.
We love making these chunky pumpkins. Here is a set my Mom made. I love working with my Mom. I search for ideas on the internet, magazines, etc. I show her a picture and voila’.
I have to admit that she does all the “heavy lifting”. She saws and sands and paints. When she can she leaves all the bow making and embellishing up to me. But as you can see from these pumpkins she can do it all. Bows and all.
This picture highlights them by themselves.
Below is a picture of the chunky pumpkins styled with other crafts at my front door.
The FALL porch leaner and the SUPER pumpkin are great partners with these chunky pumpkins.
I love Black and White with touches of Orange for Fall!
Thank you so so much for reading my blog. I really appreciate it. Please connect with me on all my social media platforms. Doing so really helps a small business out! 🙂
Hi Everyone! This three dimensional pumpkin was made with two 2×6’s and two 2×4’s. It is 14 inches high and of course 12 inches wide. The two 2×6’s were put together and then held together with the 2×4’s. One in the front and one in the back. It is very weighty.
It would make a “super doorstop”.
Below are some pictures of the sides and back and top.
Side view.
Back view.
Top view.
Mom made this creation. She wrapped the stem with twine and added a bow with a flower in the center. This pumpkin will last season after season.
Have a great day! Craft for emotional therapy! Stay tuned if you would like more inspiration! Thanks for reading my blog!!
