Turn those bright orange dollar store pumpkins into elegant additions to your fall decor with a little white paint and glitter glue.
It's a quick and easy DIY.
Who says fall crating has to be complicated?
Several years ago, when I first started blogging, I noticed that once September rolled around, everyone started featuring the cutest little white pumpkins.
Teeny, tiny white darling Baby Boos.
I'd never seen this variety before or come across them at any of the farms we visited.
Our pumpkin patches were strictly orange.
Of course, once I saw these elegant minis in decor shots, I had to have them.
After an exhaustive search, I finally found a few of them at a local specialty nursery in my area.
However, they had a very limited supply. Each year they only carried a few. That meant I had to stalk the shop daily, since they flew our the door quickly.
And honestly, even to grab a few, it was a splurge. They weren't cheap...which is a must for this fickle fall thrift store decorator.
But. This year, I just didn't have it in me to go hunting, fighting and spending.
I've also grown a little bit bored with them.
Shhh...that may be blasphemous to say out loud.
It's also been very hot here, unseasonably warm. Real pumpkins are just beginning to turn up and and we haven't hit the farm stands yet.
So this year, I went faux. Gasp.
I know, I know, another dirty little fall confession. Two in one post. Unbelievable.
I'm not a big fan of fake anything, especially when it comes to fruit and flowers.
However, after seeing some pretty impressive faux versions, I thought I'd get crafty.
Plus, at Dollar Tree, those orange styrofoam suckers are only a buck each. I figured I didn't have much to lose if I hated them.
Now you may have noticed in the photo that some of the pumpkins are white. However, it's cold, stark white. You'll still want to paint them.
But going over white is much easier than orange, so if you can find them, I'd grab those instead.
Today I'm going to share the DIY with you.
Here's my process.
How To Paint Faux Pumpkins
I started with these very orange, very plastic, very loud and unnatural looking pumpkins. Not even a smidge of resemblance to my beloved Baby Boos.
But remember, they were only a dollar each. (Today, they're $1.25 each, but still totally worth it.)
I used a bristle brush for the first two coats.
Then I took a foam brush and dabbed it on to give the pumpkins a little bit of texture.
I balanced them on cups so the wet paint wouldn't stick to paper.
Three coats on three pumpkins sounds like a time consuming job, but it didn't take long at all. Craft paint dries fast.
I was also completely engrossed in that fairytale show Once Upon A Time.
Have you seen it? I hadn't and my daughter got me hooked on it. So I was enjoying myself episode binging and crafting.
When all of the orange was completely covered, I took a bit of brown craft paint to cover the stems.
I needed to seal the pumpkins and wanted to give them a bit of sparkle, but nothing too over the top, like my glittered pumpkins, so I sealed them all with a coat of white glitter glue.
The result was subtle and elegant.
Every bit as charming as their pricey predecessors.
And they'll last forever.
For under ten bucks
Fabulous!
If you're looking for even more fall pumpkin ideas you can check out AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com for tons of ideas.
And you can always visit my craft page. It's filled with many more seasonal projects.
Happy Fall Crafting, Friends!
Welcome to Ten on the 10th! I love your pumpkins and the name "Darling Baby Boos" is just too cute....
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Tammy! What fun...
DeleteFabulous indeed! The world is better with a little sparkle and sparkling a pumpkin is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI've seen those carving pumpkins and wondered if you could paint them. Now I know. :)
Happy Ten on the 10th sweet friend.
I was a little unsure when I took the brush to them, too...styrofoam is tricky! Thanks for inviting me to play along. So much fun!
DeleteAnd the really great part is that when you pull out your fall decor next year, those little cuties will be ready to go again! They are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI know! White pumpkins whenever I want them...and thank you! 😊
DeleteI love white pumpkins, too, and this is a cute and not too difficult craft! :D I like that you painted the stems, too.
ReplyDeleteVery not difficult! And thank you! 😊
DeleteVery cute and white is the perfect color for your vignette with the white pitchers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri...if it's not red, it's white around here! And sometimes a little green... 😉
DeleteI used to love the oranges of Fall...now I'm in love with the neutrals and creamy white. Love that your pumpkin was so frugal! I spray painted a glass one this year and I love how it turned out, too. And I have yet to buy a real one or two for the front door because even they are expensive this year! I blame the hurricanes...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and yes, I am with you, neutrals rule lately! Still no pumpkins here...pricey and too hot. Maybe when they go on sale! Ha!!
DeleteGreat idea and very cheap! I won't get around to any of this this year. Maybe next year. Always love projects under $10!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda...and yes, you seem to have your hands full with a much bigger painting project!
DeleteKim, I'm so glad you joined us this month. I passed on that style at my local Dollar Tree only because I already had a few too many pumpkins in my basket. I love the way yours turned out. I do not think it is blasphemous to say you are bored with the white pumpkins. The best part about going faux is you don't have to hunt new ones down next year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the inspiration, Lisa. I didn't have any chalk paint and was hoping that craft paint would do the job...and it did! Never would've tried it if it wasn't for your post! And so happy to be joining in...fun, fun, fun..times ten!
DeleteI saw those pumpkins at the $1 Tree but passed them by because I didn't know how they would look painted. Thanks for sharing because now I know! Another thrifty craft idea I will be stealing, I mean, copying from you :-)
ReplyDeleteCopy away, AnnMarie! It makes me smile! ❤️
DeletePerfect Kim. Now you can have these year to year and not have to hunt and spend to get the baby boo's. I have to say I am a fan of Faux flowers and fruits. They are making these things so life like now. I am thinking about going faux in my flower boxes out front instead of real pumpkins. Of course the squirrels will not be happy with this choice!! Have a great rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thanks Kris! I really do adore them, but the hunt is a drag. You are right about the squirrels, too, little devils eat everything I put out. I used to love faux flowers and fruits, but then the dust factor scared me away. I am starting to add a few faux accents back in again slowly...and make my kids dust!! Ha!!
DeleteVery cute! I love the touch of sparkle...gearing up for some snow soon? We usually have snow by Halloween. And I love the way you staged your pumpkin, I'm a bit of a junkie for white pitchers.
ReplyDeleteHaha...No snow, Audra. Summer girl here, remember? 😉 I know it's coming, but for right now I am hoping that these glittery pumpkins are the only sparkle we get until Christmas Eve! If only... and thanks!
DeleteI love how they came out...what a difference from the rather ugly orange they started out as!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Debbie…and yes, they were very bright before! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteThere is nothing more satisfying than transforming something inexpensive into something wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou did such a good job .You have the gift.
Enjoyed visiting:)
Laura
Thanks so much, Laura, I had fun with this one, super easy, big change. Thanks for the visit, have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteI love your pretty white pumpkins that you painted Kim! I do like the way a white pumpkin looks and love that it was so easy to paint! How fun to have participated with the group of bloggers too.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a nice week.
Julie
They are a super nice group, Julie and I am honored to have been asked!
DeleteI've never bought baby boos...just admired from the sidelines, so it' OK for you to say you're bored. I think everything runs its course when you see so much of them from year to year. Those Dollar store pumpkins do look too orange, but of course, I bought one anyway. Now I'm glad to know what to do with one when I'm bored with orange.
ReplyDeleteChoices are always good, Florence! Enjoy your pumpkin!
DeleteI love the baby boos pumpkins and buy then every year at our Farmers Market. Your elegant dollar store pumpkins turned out so nice! Baby boos seem to rot quicker maybe because they are smaller. Last year I started knitting pumkins and this year I made a few baby boos. Nice thing about them they don't rot.
ReplyDeleteOh...knitted pumpkins sound darling. I think that I would enjoy the product and the process. The not rotting would be a definite bonus! 😉
DeleteI just realized I hadn't seen a post from you in a while so I came to hunt you down. THEN, I realized that you had fallen off my sidebar when I redid the stupid thing. You are back on there, baby, and good to go. Can't get away from me no matter how hard you try! Love your faux baby boos- I really like the brown stems on them, too....good choice.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night- xo Diana
Diana, you are so sweet! Technology is always unpredictable, isn’t it…thanks for coming to find me! xoxo
DeleteI have three of those orange dollar store pumpkins. I bought mine last year, as I wanted to do a faux mercury glass craft with them. Never found the right paint in my area. This year I did but I didn't want to pay $11 for a small can of paint, so in my basement they sit. This is a cute idea, and less expensive. Win-Win!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! And very inexpensive, Deanna…especially since I had the supplies on hand. Mercury glass sounds pretty…
DeleteLove your cute faux baby boos. I'm a huge fan of faux, and you can't beat a buck each. :)
ReplyDeleteFaux is growing on me again, Kristi. 😊
DeleteI like it. At first when I saw white pumpkins on blog land I was not sure what to think. Now I love the idea and would like to have some myself. Great idea to paint them.
ReplyDeleteI had never seen them before I entered blogland, Betty, then I couldn't get enough...I am having fun with my painted ones this year. They were fun to make.
DeleteThose are adorable, Kim! I wish I didn't have to rely so heavily on faux everything, but real pumpkins have a difficult time in this climate. I've been seeing some very unusual real ones at our Sprouts store and also Trader Joe's, so I may cave and buy a couple.
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Carol
I totally understand, Carol, it's been so warm here, lately, which is very unusual. I can't imagine pumpkins lasting very long in the heat...but yes, there are some very pretty ones out there! Warm hugs to you my friend!
DeleteThey look great ! It has been quite warm here as well...85 degrees yesterday. While a few folks in the neighborhood have some pumpkins and mums out the real show is still people's flowers and bushes!
ReplyDeleteI just can't put pumpkins out when it's 85, Deb...nope.
DeleteKim, so cute. The little boos look so pretty alongside those beautiful roses..Happy Wednesday..Judy
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy! It was fun to go faux this year. I've been having fun moving them all around!
DeleteTo cute Kim! I just LOVE your new look pumpkins!! Your roses are just stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sam...and both were super cheap!
DeleteA little paint can do wonders Kim! :) They turned out so cute.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thanks so much, Jann! Easy too...
DeleteA touch of white paint and a little bit of glitter and you got a dazzling pumpkin that just looks lovely in your kitchen! Love those white pitchers, so pretty! A very fun and easy afternoon project!
ReplyDeleteSuper easy, Marilyn, and thanks! And since I hardly ever watch tv, this was a fun and different way to spend the afternoon!
DeleteSuch a cute makeover, Kim! I'm kinda wishing I went with faux pumpkins too. The white pumpkins I purchased are already beginning to rot!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi! It's been unseasonably warm here...I've been holding off on real, but if this weather keeps up, I won't be buying pumpkins until Christmas! Ha! 😀
DeleteIt's hard to find white pumpkins of any kind here, except at Safeway and they are way too expensive. Clever crafters like you have done some incredible things with faux pumpkins, and that makes the thought of using faux pumpkins more appealing. The only issue for me is storage, although tiny pumpkins would certainly be easier to stow away. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThey are very expensive here, too, Nancy and they rot quickly...especially since it's still so warm here, lately. And yes, I have the storage issue, too. However, since I purged over the last few years, I have enough room for three tinies. But I need to stop at those three! 😉 Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteOnce again, you've done it, my friend - simple, elegant, and even a non crafter like me could pull this one off!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally…it was fun to do while binging on Netflix, too! And thanks!
DeleteThanks so much, Teri! I like the simplicity, too... ♡
ReplyDeleteTV binging and crafting sounds like a perfect combo! I love your white pumpkins. I've spray painted some in the past too. I'm telling ya...paint can fix anything. Lol!
ReplyDeletePaint is amazing, Lisa, I agree…and I am usually not a binger, but this show has me hooked!
DeleteAnother amazing idea from Kim. Thank you friend.
ReplyDeleteBoo to You!
Carla
Thanks Carla...and Boo! to you, too!! 😉
DeleteYou sure could have fooled me, Kim. I thought it was the real thing in the first picture. And now they're yours forever.
ReplyDeleteAlas, with no storage for seasonal decor here in our house now, except for Christmas things, I'll stick to the real ones. And luckily they are easy to find at our Nashville Farmers Market and only 2 for $1. And I guess I'd miss the experience of going on my annual pumpkin buying trip. But if I had a free shelf to put them on I would certainly want some of your cuties, especially with a little glitter. How fun is that!
Thanks Dewena! I do love real and the pumpkin patch too, but these are a sparkly change and were fun to make! I hear you loud and clear when it comes to storage. Not a lot in this teeny cottage either. It forces me to make some tough choices sometimes, but I know that neither of us would have it any other way!! ❤️
DeleteLike others at first I wasn't too sure of white pumpkins ... but they are brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, thanks.
All the best Jan
Thanks so much, Jan! Now there are so many varieties, next year I may paint some green!
DeleteKim I was stupid enough to try and paint those little suckers with milk paint. At first they look like the paint would slide off but once it dried it actually stayed on. Whew! Great price and for a bit of paint they look fantastic!
ReplyDelete