Web Wednesday: Dollar Store Angry Bird Pumpkins

This is too cute! Our friends over at Nothing But Country created these Angry Bird pumpkins. This is a great project to re-create, that cost practically nothing. The pumpkins came from the dollar store, and they used various FolkArt paint colors. A great project to get your kids involved with. Angry Birds are such a hot trend this Halloween. We have spotted several creative craft projects, and even Halloween costumes. To see how these adorable dollar store Angry Bird pumpkins were created click, here.

TGIF Project: Imperfect Painted Pumpkins

by Jacki Schklar

Pumpkins–they’re not just for Halloween anymore! This is an easy project made from craft pumpkins, paint (I used FolkArt Acrylics and FolkArt Metallics), Extreme Glitter and Mod Podge. It’s great for trying those color combos you have been eyeing but have not had a project requiring all the colors you want to use!

I made the “purples” one for me and the red one is for my mother. They were both basecoated with a dark color and then striped. I was happier with my messier stripes than the ones I had painted more straight! My purple one is more muted; it is covered with Mod Podge Brushstroke with some silver FolkArt Extreme Glitter mixed in.

My Mom likes things bright and bold, so I painted hers with broader strokes and instead of muting with an all-over coat of Extreme Glitter, I used some Gloss Mod Podge mixed with a little Gold Shimmer Mod Podge over the basecoat, and painted the stripes over that. I then went back over the big stripes with matching colors of Extreme Glitter, and once again, the glitter paint looks best with imperfections.

I love paint and I love this technique because it lets the paint colors be the center of attention, not a detailed design. I might try it on some dollar store fruit, or a flowerpot. What other surfaces do you think this “imperfect stripes” technique would work well on?

TGIF Project: Spunky Metallic Pumpkin

I already know what you are going to say.  “Amy, I can’t paint a pumpkin – it will rot before Halloween.”  Yes, a real pumpkin will.  Have you heard of Funkins?  They are artificial, carvable pumpkins, and the best part is that they can be PAINTED, like the one above from Cathie and Steve.  I’m so excited about fall and pumpkins that I can barely contain myself, so if you have a chance you need to head out this weekend and start your decorating. I’ve seen these fake pumpkins in all of the major craft chains.  Find the instructions for this metallic pumpkin (which sorta reminds me of a robot and I like it) right here.