easy raffia-wrapped TROPI-fall pumpkins

 

yes, i'm creating a few new 'tropical' style pumpkins this month!

these work together with my previous creations -

and since the summer heat is still in full force right now,

it's the ONLY way i can succumb to the siren call of autumn.

the pumpkins up above are SO easy to make,

(i think they'd look just as cute nestled into galvanized buckets

for some fall farmhouse style vibes!)

and just wait until you see what they're made of!

continue reading to find out my secret... 

D

first, let me show you WHY this tutorial is so easy - it's all in the materials:

yep, that's a raffia hula skirt!

i have a few dozen of them that i bought at Dollar Tree,

but they are also available online and at Party City for less than $5 each...

which is much cheaper than buying packages of raffia.

here's what to do with it:

lay the raffia hula skirt out flat on a table or counter, and roll it up

(holding the top edge makes it easy)

then use the twine 'waistband' to wrap around the rolled-up skirt and tied securely.

twist the top third of the bunch and fold it over on itself, 

then shove that twisted raffia into a hole in the bottom of a styrofoam pumpkin.

(the loose raffia hanging out the bottom of it will look like a jellyfish)

sit the pumpkin on its top (ps: i remove the styro pumpkin stems first)

with the bottom facing up, and spread the raffia all the way around the pumpkin

letting it fall freely.

use your hand to gather up the raffia and pull it upward,

twisting it at the top to tighten the raffia around the pumpkin.

use one piece of raffia at the base of this 'stem' to tie it securely.

i made the pumpkins with two types of stems...

the long stems are simply twisted, then wrapped along their length with a piece of raffia:

idea: get a different look by wrapping the raffia stems with brown twine,

so they'd contrast to the raffia pumpkin body.

the short stems are made by twisting then folding the excess raffia in half,

then tying with another piece of raffia to hold them in place.

the embellishment seen here is seed pod bracelets from Hawai'i,

slipped over the 'stems' to add contrast.

(psssst: i find those bracelets and necklaces in thrift stores ALL the time! cheap!)

by the way, these pumpkins have a secret...

they are the 'painted Pyrex pattern pumpkins' that i created last year!

(once covered with raffia, you can't even see the painted yellow parts)

i love re-using stuff i already have - it saves me TONS of storage space. and money!

related content:

painted Pyrex pattern pumpkins

TROPI-fall pumpkins

shared online:

funky junk interiors |  new upcycle ideas #689

cratively beth | creative crafts linky party #159

modern on monticello | home matters linky party #443

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