NEW! faux 'sand' painted pumpkins

let's just jump right in to pumpkin season, shall we?
during my summer break, i let my creativity + imagination run wild,
which resulted in a bunch of fun new pumpkin decor projects for 2022.

first up, a new idea that is the perfect transition from summer to fall:
faux 'sand' painted pumpkins

if you're a beach lover like me, or a tropical / tiki culture lover like me,
or perhaps a 'coastal grandmother' like me??! ha!
this idea may be the perfect way to bring some beach vibes home...

continue reading for my easy paint tutorial!

the two dimensional pumpkins are hard resin and styrofoam.
and they were RE-used - rather than buying more things each year,
i just give what i already have a makeover!

last year, they had yellow roses painted on them:

the flat wood pumpkin is new this year, from Dollar Tree.
it actually has raised face details on the front side - 
i chose to utilize the back side for a look that is more 'fall' than 'halloween'.

either side would work for this project.

now for the painting...
first, i'm going to share something i learned while this project was in process:

FIRST THING, paint your pumpkins with a flat sand-colored craft paint or spray paint.
the textured paint i used works SO much better if you do that. i didn't.
i started with the glossy white pumpkins from last year,

and when i took these photos i could see the white showing through the 'sand'.
so i'd do it differently in the future.

the paint i used - one of my 'secret paint weapons' - is this.
Rust-Oleum textured outdoor spray paint in 'Caribbean sand' color.

i've used Rust-Oleum's textured spray paints on many projects - 
including four different pumpkins a few years ago. (linked below)
the trick with these is to store them at room temp - NOT 'garage temp'!
i keep mine with my other paints in my studio. it's 105 here today - 'nuff said.
 just before using, shake the can vigorously to mix the texture into the paint
and get the propellant mixed in for a smooth flow.

two light coats resulted in a smoothly-applied grain-y, sand-y surface.
a heavy hand will make the paint drip - decidedly UNsandy looking!

this paint dries pretty quickly (in five minutes in a garage that's about 110 degrees LOL)
so this is a really fast project.

 
i added some dimension detail to the flat wood pumpkin using paint washes
in a sand hue and a darker brown 'shadow' hue. 

in it's former state, the small pumpkin had a curved, twisted gold tissue paper stem.
for this version, a champagne cork flipped upside down fits the hole.
you could also paint it with the sand textured paint, to match the pumpkin.

(btw, the almond sparkling wine/ champagne from Wilson Creek Winery is FAB!) 

propped with a bamboo plant pot, a small fishing net, and yellow flower leis
then tucked into the barefoot tiki bar in my backyard,
these sandy pumpkins fit right into our tropical vibe 
(and work with these summery temps we're having!)

i hope this inspires you to bring some beachin' coastal style to your fall decor this year!

resources:

buy Rust-Oleum textured outdoor spray paint at Home Depot and Lowes

[ not an ad or sponsorship - just sharing to make it easy for you ]

related content:

four more Rust-Oleum textured paint pumpkins

barefoot tiki bar in a sandbox!

floral painted pumpkins


shared online:

funky junk interiors | new upcycle ideas #643

thank you so much for featuring my project, Miss Donna!

creatively beth | creative crafts linky party #110

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