Any way you slice it, carving a snaggletoothed jack-o'-lantern can be a sloppy, labor-intensive task. This year, skip the monstrous mess in favor of Halloween decor that doesn't involve knife skills worthy of a top chef. Instead, try these
simple pumpkins and gourds.
SPRAY PAINTED PUMPKINS
It's as easy as 1,2,3.
Pick our your paint, hold your pumpkin and spray.
HAND PAINT A PUMPKIN
Supplies:
- Damp rag
- Newspaper
- Metallic spray paint, krylon.com
Instructions:
1. Make sure you're in a well-ventilated area and place newspapers on a flat surface. You'll want a smooth surface to spray, so remove any dirt with a damp rag.
2. Holding the pumpkin by the stem, spray the entire surface area until every inch is covered. Allow the pumpkin to dry, and then apply a second coat. Let dry for at least 24 hours. Note: The more coats you apply, the darker the color will
appear.
CRACKLE-PUMPKIN/SILHOUETTE
Supplies
- Water container
- Tracing and transfer paper
- Pencil
- Palette or plastic plate
- Paper towels
- Pumpkin
(real or artificial)
- Pattern 1
- Pattern 2
Steps:
- Basecoat or prime pumpkin. (See Helpful Hints below.)
- Coat pumpkin with Weathered Wood.
- Use fan brush to apply Lamp Black (or contrasting color) over Weathered Wood. Be careful not to overbrush as lifting of paint may occur. Let dry thoroughly.
- For silhouette designs, trace and transfer pattern. Paint design with contrasting color that corresponds to pumpkin. Let dry.
- When completely dry, mist with Americana Matte Spray Sealer. Allow to dry between coats.
Helpful Hints
- Let dry between steps.
- You can also basecoat pumpkin in DA229 Jack-O'-Lantern Orange or Americana Acrylic color of your choice.
- Basecoat color will show through cracks. If you want color other than natural pumpkin color, choose color that contrasts with topcoat.
- Multi-Purpose Sealer improves adhesion on slick surfaces. For best results and durability, it would be best to prime pumpkin with sealer first.
CHALKBOARD - WRITERS BLOCK PUMPKIN
Can’t commit to one look for the season? Thanks to chalkboard paint, nothing needs to be permanent.
Supplies:
- Newspaper
- Damp rag
- Chalkboard spray paint, homedepot.com
- Chalk
- Pencil (for Cat)
- Scissors (for Cat)
- Black construction paper (for Cat)
- Glue gun (for Cat)
Instructions for Ghost:
1. Take supplies to a well-ventilated area and place newspapers on a flat surface. Before beginning, wipe pumpkin with a damp rag to remove any dirt.
2. Hold pumpkin by the stem and spray
the entire surface area. Allow pumpkin to dry, and then apply a second coat. Stand and let dry for at least 24 hours. Once dry, take your chalk and start drawing.
Instructions for Cat:
Follow steps 1 and 2, above.
3. Create Cat's ears by tracing two triangles on a piece of black construction paper. Cut out.
4. Make a flap on each triangle by making a ¼-inch fold on the longest side of the triangle.
Cut a slit in the middle of each flap so the ears will sit on the rounded pumpkin.
5. Glue ear flaps on either side of the stem. Break out the chalk and draw Cat's face.
