ASCP Pumpkin Topiary Tutorial
I am sure you all are all about fall right now! Halloween is just around the corner, and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it!
It has really turned cool this week, and this girl is lovin' it!
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I love the colors, crispness of the air and smells of the season. I really wanted to change-up my fall decor a bit this year. When I came across these inexpensive foam pumpkins from Wal-Mart, an idea sprang to mind.
I love to mix real and faux pumpkins in our decor. The problem is that I grow impatient here in the south waiting for the pretty unique white pumpkins to show their pretty faces.
I decided that I could paint my own and have them to use year after year! If I get tired of the white, I can always paint a new color right over them with chalk paint!
Here is my simple tutorial on crafting an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Pumpkin Topiary!
Materials Needed:
- inexpensive faux pumpkins (I've seen these at Wal-Mart and the Dollar Tree)
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (I used Old White and Chateau Grey)
- acrylic craft paints in brown, tan, reddish-orange
- paint brushes
- clear wax and rags
- knife
- grapevine wreath (not necessary)
- fall leaves or fall picks of your choice
These pumpkins were very shiny and fake looking, but I knew that I could transform them.
At only $4.97 each, I thought these foam pumpkins were a bargain to be used year after year! Last year I used some beautiful real pumpkins with greens and creams on my dining room table found HERE. I wanted to mimic that look somewhat.
I painted the bottoms first in Old White and let them dry before flipping over and painting the entire top.
I painted two coats of Old White and let that dry completely.
Next, I layered sloppy stripes of ASCP in Chateau Grey with acrylic paints in the tan and the reddish orange which were blended together to soften. Just play until you get the look you like. Finally I dry brushed ever so slightly back over with the Chateau Grey which is a beautiful green. You could also use a green acrylic. I just used what I had on hand.
This is just my first stripe of green. I also painted the stem in brown and tan. I didn't try to perfectly paint as pumpkins don't look perfect in real life! I finished with one coat of ASCP clear wax and a buffing.
I cut a hole in the bottom of 2 of the pumpkins so that they could sit on top of each other. I didn't want to cut the stems out so they could be used in other ways in the future. I didn't glue or affix anything permanently so they could be easily stored and used in other ways!
Just carve out the hole until it fits easily. It didn't take much.
I simply placed a small grapevine wreath on the mantle and then stacked the pumpkins. Then I tucked fall leaves here and there. I love how the white really stands out on the mantel against the green walls.
As you can see, I made two for the family room mantel. You can see my complete fall home tour HERE.
Thanks for stopping by! Here are a few recent posts you might like as well!
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Link Parties that OSH parties at on occasion!
Saturday: Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday: DIY Showoff, Three Mango Seeds
Monday: Between Naps on the Porch, Alderberry Hill/Make the Scene
Tuesday: The Scoop, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A2Z/Tutorial and Tips, Inspire Me Party, Project Inspired{d}, Brag About It Tuesday
Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style
Thursday: From My Front Porch to Yours, 52 Mantels, Stone Gable, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Shabby Creek Cottage,No Minimalist Here
Friday: French Country Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday, Common Ground, The Charm of Home, Rooted in Thyme,Imparting Grace, Keep Calm and Link Up
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What an awesome project! Your topiaries look great on your mantel.
Thanks so much, Paula! I always enjoy finding new ways to work with chalk paint! ~Christy
Great idea since white pumpkins are hard to find around here!
Thanks so much! Here too especially when you have to decorate early for a blog! LOL! Happy fall sweet friend! ~Christy
These are gorgeous your mantle looks stunning!!! Pinned!
Cynthia
Thanks so much sweet, Cynthia!!! I hope you have a great weekend!!! 🙂
They look great and so does your whole mantle!
Thanks bunches!! Cheers to a lovely weekend!!! 🙂
I love these Christy! They are so fun and look great on your mantel. ~Sonya
Thanks, Sonya! It was a fun ASCP project!
These look fabulous and great tutorial. Gorgeous mantel vignette. Hugs, Marty
Thanks sweet lady! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!