Fall Crafts: Map Print Embellished Pumpkins

Carving a pumpkin is so outdated. Fun prints, such as this map print, are the best way to decorate your pumpkins this fall season!

For this project, you will need (per pumpkin):

- One faux pumpkin or real pumpkin in any size
- Mild dish detergent
- Water
- Paper towels
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Gloss White
- Map print scrapbook paper or a recycled map
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Self healing mat
- Sponge brush
- Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
- Popsicle stick
- Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray
- Newspaper and/or a large drop cloth

Protect your work area by covering it with sheets of old newspaper or a rather large drop cloth prior to starting this project. Wash the outside of either a faux pumpkin or a real pumpkin in any size using a mild dish detergent. Rinse the outside of the pumpkin well. Dry the outside of the pumpkin with paper towels and let it set for thirty minutes or longer to continue drying.

Prime the entire outside of the pumpkin, including stem, with four or more coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. No orange or brown should be showing through the primer when you are finished. If so, continue adding coats of primer. Let the pumpkin dry for about an hour. Paint the pumpkin using several coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Gloss Black. Dry for four hours or longer.

Lay out either the map print scrapbook paper or a recycled map onto the self healing mat. Use a ruler and a pencil to create one inch strips on the paper. Cut out the map print strips with a craft knife for sharp borders. Apply a thick coat of Mod Podge or other decoupage medium to the back of the paper strips using a sponge brush. Adhere the strips vertically on the base of the pumpkin, leaving the stem untouched. Smooth the paper with a popsicle stick to prevent wrinkles. Dry overnight.

Spray the entire embellished pumpkin with a few coats of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray. Let the pumpkin dry completely before displaying.

TIP: An advantage of using a faux pumpkin (purchased at a dollar store or Halloween shop) in this project is that it can be displayed for several years instead of just one season.