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9.28.2020

funky junky pumpkin!

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this project has an interesting beginning:
i was taking our garbage cans out to the curb for pickup one morning.
and there at the curb was my neighbors' trash can...
with a fabulous, huge, ORANGE metal floor fan sticking out of it.

as i discovered upon further investigation, it was just a fan housing. no inner parts.
meaning the hard work had been done already - 
so how could i NOT snatch this thing up and repurpose it?!!!
especially when my whoooooole quarantine mission has been
to NOT spend money on craft or decor supplies. to just use what i have.
this thing shows up right in front of me, on my street. what am i supposed to do?!!!

i thought you'd agree.
so yes, in just a few seconds i did grab that fan housing right outta' his garbage can!
and i knew exactly what it was going to become...
last year, i made some junky fall pumpkins from similar salvaged metal parts.
and this version is even better!

continue reading to see several versions of 
the giant junk pumpkin that i made from it...

pumpkins, pumpkin decor, decorating with pumpkins, fall decor, fall home decor, fall pumpkins, junk, junking, junk makeover, home decorating, autumn decor, trash to treasure, dumpster dive find, diy pumpkins, diy, diy decorating, diy home decor
the orange fan housing right outta' the trash is on the top left here.
i hauled it into the garage, wiped it clean, cut the remaining cord,
and gave the black wire screen a quick shot of orange spray paint.

below that is the first version of my funky junky pumpkin - standing up.
(more on the 'stem' below)
then i decided to add the FACE!

so i rounded up some of the metal junk that i used on last winter's wreath
and attached them to the fan screen with tan chenille stems / pipe cleaners
to form eyes, a nose, and a mouth. then i changed the mouth...

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so this is the second version of my junky pumpkin - with a face.
(i like the face on the right more, as his mouth kinda' hides the orange metal switch plate.)

btw - the fan stands up without rolling by using the handle as a 'leg':
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as i was removing the metal objects that formed his face,
 i accidentally found another way to use the fan as a pumpkin: lying flat!
pumpkins, pumpkin decor, decorating with pumpkins, fall decor, fall home decor, fall pumpkins, junk, junking, junk makeover, home decorating, autumn decor, trash to treasure, dumpster dive find, diy pumpkins, diy, diy decorating, diy home decor
so that's the third version of my junky pumpkin.
and this guy is BIG - he's sitting on a full size sideboard and hangs over!

on all three versions, a large spool of rough twine serves as a 'stem',
(reminding me of the twine-wrapped stems on my Sweet Sweater Pumpkins!)
with a swirl of galvanized metal 'tape' around it to emulate a pumpkin vine.
i'm not really sure what that stuff is actually used for, i just had a roll in a tool box!
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none of the details - stem, face - are permanently attached to the fan,
though the roll of twine has a wood dowel inside that fit into a hole on the side of the fan housing
to hold the twine in place on the rounded surface of the 'standing up' pumpkin.
you could certainly glue or screw materials in place if you wanted to.
i'm not - because i already have yet another use for it in a future project!

however,
i haven't decided yet if i'll 'fess up to my neighbor about snagging it out of his trash can.


links to previous posts mentioned above:



shared online: 

funky junk interiors / diy salvaged junk projects #546

thank you for featuring my pumpkin, Donna!

pumpkins, pumpkin decor, decorating with pumpkins, fall decor, fall home decor,
fall pumpkins, junk, junking, junk makeover, home decorating, autumn decor,
trash to treasure, dumpster dive find, diy pumpkins, diy, diy decorating, diy home decor

6 comments:

  1. It's like the fan was waiting to be turned into a pumpkin. Very clever and oh so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it certainly was in the right place at the right time, that's for sure! LOL i feel a bit like a Fairy Godmother - in reverse! thank you for visiting and your kind comment, Marie <3

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  2. Replies
    1. clever... or crazy?!!! it's okay, you can say it! i already know ;)
      thanks for visiting, Lisa!

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  3. I think it's creative, ingenious, and thinking outside of the box! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne, thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a kind comment <3 i honestly think outside of the box (or, in this case, outside of the trash can!!!) allllll the time. gets me into trouble a lot - but it's fun!

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