How to Make an Easy DIY Faux Pumpkin Arrangement

What is the Pinterest Challenge?

Each month, we are given a topic or a photo for inspiration. Think about looking through Pinterest for inspiration. That is how Cindy gets inspired by the challenge. If it is photo inspiration, she visits the source and asks if they'd like to be our inspiration for the monthly challenge. It's that simple! It's such a fun post each month.

This month we are creating pumpkin crafts! There is no specific project. This is so fun. I know you will be inspired by all of the fresh ideas that you will find at the bottom of this post.

Unless you see them side by side, it might be hard to see the difference between the before and after.

The new pumpkin truly looks fake with no personality. As is, it does not work well with my decorating aesthetic. I've got an easy fix for that. Let's get started creating that decorative paint finish.

This project is fast and easy. It is perfect for the beginning crafter. It takes longer to cut out the top with a kitchen knife than it does to create a decorative paint finish.

How to Make an Easy DIY Faux Pumpkin Arrangement

I have not brought my fall decor out of the attic yet, so I grabbed a new pumpkin while running errands. You could easily use one you already own or find one at the thrift store.

The pumpkin you select is very important. You want to buy one that is carvable or hollow on the inside. You need a place to arrange your flowers.

Gather the Supplies

• Carvable Faux Pumpkin: Here are a couple ONE | TWO
• kitchen knife
• Optional Terra cotta Spray Paint
• Craft Paint: Orange 1 | Orange 2 | White
• Spray sealer
• handy spray nozzle
• floral foam
• faux mums: ONE | TWO | THREE
• Brushes | Sponges | Stencil Brush

These are the supplies that I had on hand. I sourced similar colors in the supply list. I didn't use the peach because it was old and dried up. Peach is very easy to make by adding a bit of white a dark orange.

Before I started any painting, I cut the top out for the floral arrangement using a kitchen knife.

I removed these faux mums from a basket to use with this project. I cut the opening to fit the floral foam.

I used this spray paint last fall and had a tiny amount left. It is a gorgeous terra cotta color.

Just blend and play. I did try to go in one direction (down) when painting so it would mimic heirloom pumpkins. For the most part, I used a light hand. I prefer to swipe a freshly loaded paintbrush on a paper towel. This allows a slight dry brush over the pumpkin allowing other colors to come through.

Let it dry completely!

Apply 2-3 coats of clear matte spray sealer. Be sure to turn the pumpkin upside down to get all angles. This dries quickly.

Insert flowers to arrange!

Garden Stool | Grapevine Pumpkins | Faux Cedar Bush | Faux Magnolia Tree

This is just a little quick vignette to see how the faux pumpkin looks styled. In the coming days, I'll be getting the entire porch ready for the season. Just pretend the summer flowers aren't in the background.

I am so pleased with how this simple pumpkin project turned out. I'm anxious to make a couple more to go around the door area.

The decorative paint finish makes it look much more realistic. It's a much softer look.

Here in the South, we get some hot days even up until Halloween. Real pumpkins just don't do well in the heat. A rotting pumpkin on the porch is not a fun thing.

I do miss the days of kids at home and carving real ones a few days leading up to Halloween.

The subtle variations in colors are the trick to a lifelike look.

Have you ever tried painting pumpkins? It's a great way to give them a fresh new look. Here are a few more painted pumpkin projects on the blog.

• Painting Old Pumpkins
• Painted Pumpkin Topiary