Halloween Craft Ideas: Leopard Print Pumpkins

The days of carving pumpkins for Halloween are so outdated! These wonderful leopard print embellished pumpkins do not take too much time to create and are a great sassy alternative to traditional styles.

For this project, you will need:

- One fresh pumpkin of any size or shape
- Shallow pan
- Soapy water
- Paper towels
- Painter's tape
- Scissors
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Satin Brown Boots
- Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray
- Leopard print scrapbook paper (available at craft supply shops and scrapbook supply shops)
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Craft knife
- Self healing mat
- Sponge brush
- Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
- Newspaper and/or a large drop cloth

Although this project is far less messy than carving a pumpkin, a bit of protection for your workspace is still required. Before starting, cover the space with a few layers of old newspaper and/or a large drop cloth. Fill a shallow pan or the sink with warm soapy water. Dip a paper towel into the water and wipe off the outside of the pumpkin. Make sure that all dirt, debris, and any other grit is removed from the pumpkin. Rinse the soap off and dry the pumpkin with paper towels. Allow the pumpkin to set for awhile so that any excess moisture dries up from the rind.

Use scissors to cut a piece of painter's tape. Cover the stem of the pumpkin with the tape, unless you want the stem painted as well. Prime the entire outside of the pumpkin with Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Dry for two to three hours. Paint the pumpkin with two to three coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Satin Brown Boots. Let the pumpkin dry overnight.

Lay the leopard print scrapbook paper flat on the self healing mat. With a pencil and a ruler, separate the paper into half inch wide strips. Carefully cut out the strips using a craft knife. Apply a thick coat of Mod Podge or other decoupage medium to the back of one strip using a sponge brush. Adhere the leopard paper piece to the side of the painted pumpkin. Continue to glue on paper pieces until the entire pumpkin is covered or you have added as much leopard print design as desired. Let the pumpkin dry for five to six hours. Spray the entire embellished pumpkin with Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray. Let the project set overnight before removing that tape from the pumpkin stem.