Saturday, January 15, 2011

Painted Pictorial Pumpkins, and Perfect Practicalities

Various Ways of Decorating with Pumpkins
by Lois Breneman, © Revised 2005, Heart to Heart Newsletter
 
*Glue dried pansies on a pumpkin and coat with mod podge (from a fabric, craft or hobby store) or several coats of white glue slightly thinned with water.  It will dry clear and protect the pictures.  Use inside the house or on a covered porch.
 
* Glue color copies of your family on a pumpkin.  If you have fall pictures to use, that would be perfect!  Cover pictures with mod podge or several coats of white glue slightly thinned with water.
 
* Of course, pumpkins can be used as decorative touches in planning any outdoor displays for fall.  Arrange a display of assorted pumpkins in an old wheelbarrow, basket or wagon.

* Decorate a mantle or table with pumpkins, gourds, colorful leaves and mums, intertwining clear miniature lights in and around the fall harvest.

* Use pumpkins as punch bowls for cider.

* Turn scooped out pumpkins into serving bowls for soups, stews and chili.

* Use smaller pumpkins for individual serving bowls.

* Use the tiniest pumpkins or gourds as place cards for a meal, especially at Thanksgiving.

* Turn small pumpkins or gourds into candle holders by scooping out and inserting votive candles.

*A scooped out pumpkin makes a wonderful vase for colorful fall flowers!  Simply insert florist's foam inside the pumpkin for easy arranging. 
 
* Paint flowers and ivy all around the surface of a pumpkin with acrylic paints! 
 
* Sponge paint a pumpkin, using a deeper orange on a sponge, and dabbing all over.

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