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Mixed Media Pumpkin Decorating

Mix it Up This Halloween With An Artistic Jack-O'Lantern

© Jennifer Hollowell

Oct 25, 2007
Who says mixed media artists can't play with pumpkins, too? Have fun during Harvest Festivals, Halloween and during parties with these uniquely decorated pumpkins.

Pumpkin decorating is a long-lived tradition in households far and wide. Why not changes things up a bit by changing how pumpkins are typically decorated? This is a fun and easy project that can be quickly created.

Materials:

  • decoupage or gel medium
  • paint brush or sponge brush
  • small containers of water
  • magazine clippings
  • autumn or Halloween themed scrapbook paper
  • acrylic paints (fall themed colors)The process:
    1. Before collaging on the pumpkin, be sure to clean it thoroughly with a bleach and water solution. Dry the pumpkin completely.
    2. Use the stem as a handle and layer decoupage or gel medium over half of the pumpkin.
    3. Layer the fall or Halloween themed paper (torn or cut into chunks), smoothing out wrinkles and bubbles as each piece is affixed.
    4. Repeat this step on the other half the pumpkin.
    5. Add more decoupage or gel medium to the brush (or sponge) and affix magazine clippings in random places over the decorative paper.
    6. Allow the piece to dry completely. This can be achieved quicker through use of a heat gun or blow dryer. If the choice to set it aside is made, place the pumpkin on a wire cooling rack (used typically for baked goods) or into a dish strainer.
    7. Once the piece is dried completely, paint swirls and interesting text on to the pumpkin using the acrylic paint. This can be done in typical Jack-O'Lantern style, or something completely different.
    Additional ideas:
  • Twist gold wire into a twirl pattern around and beyond the top of the stem.
  • Use Halloween goodie bags, napkins or other party goods, rather than (or in addition to) the scrapbook or decorative paper.
  • Add handmade envelopes created from fall colored papers with interesting goodies hidden inside them in random places throughout the design of the pumpkin.
  • Add small pieces of fall themed or fall colored fabric or fibers into the collage.
  • Tap in lightly brads and other metal embellishments throughout the design of the pumpkin.
  • Add fall themed photography with captions, similar to a scrapbook lay-out.Consider creating these pumpkins as a fun craft to do during Halloween parties and Harvest Festivals. Use miniature pumpkins, rather than full sized pumpkins, for this purpose so those attending the party can create them quickly and without intimidation. Make it a bit more interesting by filling small goodie bags with what's needed to complete this project and encourage guests to use everything to complete the project, including the bag. Gourds, turnips and squash are fun options for this project. Keep in mind the scale, the textures of the surfaces and if they need preparation beforehand.

    • The copyright of the article Mixed Media Pumpkin Decorating in Altered Objects is owned by Jennifer Hollowell. Permission to republish Mixed Media Pumpkin Decorating in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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