When I saw these pumpkins that Christina had created I asked her immediately if she would do a Guest Post on Joy’s Life. How could I not? They’re beautiful. You’re going to LOVE this. While you’re reading, I’m off to Wal-Mart for a foam pumpkin!
Decoupage Pumpkin by Christina K.
from Cartersville, Georgia

Suggested supplies: Foam pumpkin (Walmart $5.00), One standard size can of white spray paint (Walmart .97), High quality tissue paper or paper napkins (print of your choice), Mod Podge or craft varnish of your choice (I used gloss finish), short bristle craft or paint brush, craft glue, glitter (I used white), scissors, non stick aluminum foil or wax paper, Optional embellishments of your choice.


Step 1 – Spray the pumpkin white. This will take at least three coats to cover the orange. Don’t worry about covering the stem completely as the paint will not dry on the rubber stem with too many coats. Let pumpkin dry completely.



Step 2 – Cut the tissue paper or napkin (use one single layer of paper or napkin) to the correct length for the pumpkin, be sure to leave enough to reach the stem and for the bottom.

Step 3 – Cover your work surface with non stick foil or wax paper and coat the entire pumpkin with a thick layer of craft varnish.

Step 4 – Start on the side and press the paper onto the pumpkin as you work your way around. The paper may tear in places, if this happens just piece it back together (my Damask pattern was very forgiving).

Step 5 – Cut relief slits on both the top and bottom paper edge so the paper will fit easily around the top and bottom curve.

Step 6 – Paint each piece of paper with craft varnish and adhere around the steam and bottom of the pumpkin. Trim the pieces as much as possible to avoid too much pattern overlapping as it can be seen once dried. If your paper did not reach all the way around the pumpkin then trim both the existing paper and the additional paper so it fits into the grooves of the pumpkin to hide the seams.

Step 7 – Once the entire pumpkin is covered in paper take your hands and carefully “burnish” the outside of the pumpkin. Make sure the paper is securely stuck and smoothed as much as possible (the outside of the pumpkin is still relatively dry at this point so it’s not very messy).

Step 8 – Start at the stem and coat the entire pumpkin with three or four coats of craft varnish (letting dry between coats).

Step 9 – Brush the stem with a heavy layer of craft glue and sprinkle with glitter color of your choice.

Step 10 – Your pumpkin is now complete. Embellish your pumpkin as desired (I used green ribbon and a monogram tag) and enjoy your unique decorator pumpkin!
Thank you Christina!! You did an outstanding job both on the pumpkin AND the tutorial. You’re GREAT!!
joy
GUESS WHAT? Christina is giving the above pumpkin away to one lucky winner! Just leave a comment on this post to be entered to win. I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner on October 13, 2010.
WINNER!
# SherriC. Says:
October 10th, 2010 at 11:09 PM e
Love Love Love It Christina!!!!! TFS
Thank you Christina!!!
By the way…my husband is threatening to enter this contest because he thinks this pumpkin is awesome. LOL! This really surprises me since I long ago agreed not to “girlify” the house too much. Luckily, we both like warm colors and big furniture. Could I have snuck in a damask print this whole time? Good grief! 😉
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