Halloween Craft Ideas: Newsprint Decoupage Pumpkins

Uniquely decorated pumpkins are always popular for the Halloween season. These newsprint decoupage pumpkins are very simple to create and do not seem "over-the-top" when finished.

For this project, you will need:

- One faux pumpkin of any size or shape (available at craft supply shops and fall decor stores)
- Soapy water
- Paper towels
- Painter's tape
- Craft paper or dissembled paper bag
- Scissors
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White
- Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Dover White
- Krylon Short Cuts Hobby and Craft Brush On Paint in Gloss Black
- Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray
- Newspaper print OR newspaper print style scrapbook paper (see note below)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Self healing mat
- Sponge brush
- Paper plate
- Mod Podge or other decoupage medium
- Old newspaper and/or a large drop cloth

Start by covering the area where you will be crafting your pumpkin with sheets of old newspaper and/or a large drop cloth. (This will not be the newsprint you intend to use on the pumpkin, but a separate amount.) Wash the outside of the faux pumpkin with warm soapy water and rinse well. Dry the outside of the pumpkin with paper towels and leave it to air dry for about thirty minutes.

Coat the entire pumpkin, including stem, with two thick coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Primer in All-Purpose White. Allow the primed pumpkin to dry for about an hour. Cover the stem of the pumpkin up with painter's tape. Spray the outside of the pumpkin with a couple of thick coats of Krylon Indoor Outdoor Paint in Dover White. Dry overnight.

Remove the painter's tape from the stem of the pumpkin. Apply additional painter's tape to the side of the white painted faux pumpkin, leaving only the stem exposed. Pour a bit of Krylon Short Cuts Hobby and Craft Brush On Paint in Gloss Black onto the paper plate. Dip a sponge brush in the black paint and coat the stem entirely with the paint. Dry overnight or completely before removing the painter's tape from the side of the pumpkin.

Lay the newsprint or newsprint style scrapbook paper flat on the self healing mat. Use a ruler and a pencil to divide the newsprint into one inch wide strips. Cut out the strips using a craft knife. Apply a fair amount of Mod Podge or other decoupage medium to the back of one newsprint strip using a sponge brush. Adhere the newsprint strip vertically to the side of the painted pumpkin. Smooth the paper down against the side of the pumpkin with you fingertips to prevent any wrinkling. With a ruler, create a one inch gap before applying another newsprint strip. Continue this process until the entire pumpkin has been covered with alternating newsprint and white stripes.

Let the decoupage medium dry for an hour. Cover the entire pumpkin with a few good coats of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Finishing Spray. Dry overnight.

TIP: Newsprint style scrapbook paper lends a better finish when decoupage then traditional newsprint. This is due to the scrapbook paper often having an unprinted reverse side, versus traditional newsprint that will often have ink bleed through.