Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Fun Photo Pumpkin Project!!

Try saying that 3 times fast!! (Click here if you want direction son how to create your own photo pumpkins)...


As I was going through old family photos (thinking some might make cute Halloween blog banners), I got a bright idea for a Halloween decoration… Photo Pumpkins! (I love the one of Frankenstein holding the girls up by their ponytails!! Needless to say, it's the girls that are family, not Frank:)

(click on any photos to enlarge)

So I printed out some favorites of my girls and my Halloween kitties, painted up some pumpkins, and voila!


I made them double-sided, putting photos on both the front and back of the pumpkins. On one of them I used my photo software to change the color pictures to black & white


They look nice arranged in a group, but they really take center stage when displayed alone (especially on a pedestal dish with some Spanish moss!)…


I made one for each of the girls and one for meI painted them in three of my favorite cottage colors – creamy white, soft green, and pale robin’s egg blue, but they could be done in any color.


Tomorrow I’ll share how I made mine in case any of you would like to try this project…

And don’t forget – you have until midnight tonight to enter the autumn/Halloween giveaway. Good luck to everyone who enters!

Comments update... Wow! Thank you so much for all the compliments on my photo pumpkins! I had one comment request, asking me to list the supplies today since the instructions will be posted tomorrow (good idea!!). So here are the specific supplies/brands I used (but definitely adjust to fit your needs - different sized pumpkins, different paint colors, etc.)
1) Fake pumpkins (mine were from Wal Mart: tall pumpkin 5" across/8" high; short pumpkin 7"across/5"high (I would have bought white or black pumpkins if I could have found them but had to settle for orange, which is a harder color to paint over); 2) Family photos (sized down to fit pumpkins and printed out on my HP ink jet); 3) Sealer (Delta all purpose craft sealer) You can skip this if you are not changing the background color of your pumpkin; 4) Acrylic craft paints (whatever colors you choose... I basecoated all my pumpkins Black (for distressing purposes) before painting the 'finished' colors... I used Delta Light Ivory, Delta Village Green, and My Studio Robin's Egg Blue (mixed with Light Ivory), and black for stems and decorative trim around photos; 5) Brushes (foam brush for overall painting, medium round for easily painting around stem, long liner for painting decorative trim around photos); 6) Decoupage Finish (Plaid Royal Coat); 7)Varnish (Delta Gloss Varnish); rag strips or ribbon for stems (optional)...

See you tomorrow!!

Donna

17 comments:

  1. What a fabulous idea! You're a creative marvel. I love these!!!

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  2. Hi Donna, I just found your blog and for sure I'll be back, your pumkins are gorgeous.
    Bonnie

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  3. You never fail to amaze me! Fantastic idea! I'll be back for the details.
    Lisa & Alfie

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  4. Those pumpkins are really cute! Great idea!

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  5. oh wow, how did you come up with this? what a great idea, they really look good!

    I bet we'll see some lovely blogging ladies try this at home...it's one of the best halloween ideas I've seen

    Sarah

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  6. Donna, that is the cutest idea for pumpkins....how adorable. You need to send that idea in to Better Homes and Garden and have your article published.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

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  7. That is a neat idea!! I love it and will have to try it with different pix.
    Smooches,
    Connie

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  8. How clever are you! I'll be back tomorrow to get the instuctions. I'll have my pumpkins ready. Will you give us a hint as to what supplies we'll need, so we can be ready to go asap tomorrow! I can't wait...

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  9. I LOVE your fabulous photo-embellished pumpkins!!!! What a terrific idea---they make my orange ones look so BORING! AND I love the use of the sivery compote to display them in---you can never go wrong with a silver compote. I think I should've put some of my dentures in one when I shared my "how to decorate with dentures hits" recently!! I must go do that right now!!!

    Have a great day! Dana

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  10. THAT IS THE CUTEST THING I'VE SEEN ALL SEASON!!!!

    ~Liz~

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  11. This is one of the cutest ideas I've seen in awhile - love it!!!

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  12. Hi Donna, I love the pumpkins and I love that you can keep them for the future. Great idea!

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  13. Hi Donna!
    Your pumpkins are awesome! What a great idea!! And I love your sofa piled with fabric pumpkin pillows too! What great ideas you have!
    Hugs, Sherry

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  14. Those are AWESOME! What a creative idea! I can't wait to read tomorrow's blog to see how you made them! These are keepers and something worth handing down to your kids! Great family keepsake.

    Kady

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  15. Those just could NOT be any cuter!!!!

    M ^..^

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  16. I love this! :) I saw last year about printing them on that projecter plastic paper and then cut out a window and apply it so that you can light it from the inside. But I think over the years that would be too fragile...I like this better! My goal was to do one pumpkin for each girl, each year. When they are grown, I'll have a bunch of pumpkins, but will eventually pass them on to them when they have their own homes. Thank you! :)

    Mere

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  17. Very Cool Idea !

    I run a Pumpkin Pattern/Carving Site.
    Called http://www.stoneykins.com

    And Just added a Link to this on our pumpkin carving Forum.

    Good Stuff thanks for sharing.

    St0ney

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