Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin
How-to make a farmhouse-style chalkboard pumpkin.
It's officially fall and time to start decorating and crafting. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to get cozy in my home again and I start looking forward to the holidays ahead. Today I'm sharing an easy craft with you that packs a big punch with little effort as part of the Fall Ideas Tour with over 30+ other bloggers. I'll have all of the links plus some gorgeous inspiration at the bottom of the post so be sure to check it out.
I was out shopping at Michael's a few weeks ago and saw a large bin of chalkboard pumpkins. I knew I wanted one but wasn't sure what to do with it but when I looked up they (Michael's) had a free handout with the directions for this beauty. I already had the gilding supplies from a Honeycomb Pitcher I had made last year so the only thing I needed to purchase was the pumpkin. I couldn't wait to try it and it turned out exactly as I had hoped! (Don't you love when that happens?).
How-To Make a Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin
Supplies {*affiliate links}:
Chalkboard Pumpkin - I purchased mine at Michael's with a coupon so it was about $5.00 but they are also available online if you can't get to a store
Copper Wire for the stem {optional}
Once I gathered my supplies I started the process.
I placed the chalkboard pumpkin upside down on a box and used a paintbrush to brush on the gilding adhesive. Do not cover the entire pumpkin but instead brush about ⅓ of the pumpkin in a feathered pattern. You don't want to have any definite lines. The brush strokes should be vertical, not horizontal.
Let the paint dry until it's tacky. Depending on the weather the drying time could be fairly quick (less than 30 minutes). Gently test the adhesive for tackiness on an area that you won't be seeing once it's flipped over.
Add the gilding sheets according to the directions on the package and buff to shine. Sorry, I don't have a picture of this part - time got away from me!
Once you have your pumpkin gilded prep the chalkboard surface with chalk.....
and buff off the chalk with a cloth or paper towel.
Now you're ready to use chalk to draw on some random patterns. As a side, I also coiled some copper wire around a wooden spoon handle and added that to the stem for a bit more dimension.
This entire process could not have been any easier and from start to finish took only about 1 ½ hours (because of the time I waited for the adhesive to get tacky).
So do you think you'll try this or do you have some other wonderful ideas for gilding? I'd love to hear about it!
Now for some more Fall Ideas Tour Inspiration!
Monday
Postcards from the Ridge | All Things Heart and Home
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer | Domestically Speaking
Prodigal Pieces | Housepitality Designs
Mad In Crafts | My Creative Days
Tuesday
Refresh Restyle | 2 Bees in a Pod
Fox Hollow Cottage | Artsy Chicks Rule
Our Southern Home | Restoration Redoux
Savvy Southern Style | Atta Girl Says
Wednesday
H2OBungalow | Cottage at the Crossroads
Today's Creative Life | Dukes and Duchesses
Hunt & Host | The Interior Frugalista
Sweet Pea | Petticoat Junktion
Thursday
At the Picket Fence |Town and Country Living
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | So Much Better With Age
WOW! I love this idea! Great job!
Thank you, Lindsay! I loved your mantel, too. So many lovely details.
Coolest pumpkin every Mary Beth!!! I love it!
xo
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! hugs, mb
I am soooo in LOVE with this! I just love how the gilding made the whole thing POP! Its so cool. I am going to try this for sure!!!
Hugs,
Karin
Thank you so much, Karin!
hugs, mb
That is so cool Mary Beth!! Love it!!
Thank you, Vanessa.
Pretty! I love the combination of the chalkboard with the gold gilding.
Thank you very much, Paula. 🙂
I love it! Have to try this idea.
Thank you, Sandy!
Oh Mary Beth... I LOVE your pumpkin! That turned out gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Maryann!
Such a creative idea, Mary Beth!!!! I love chalkboard anything and the gilding really dresses it up.
Thank you, Jamie!
This is so pretty, Mary Beth! Love the dark background in your photo. It really makes the berries and pumpkin pop!
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Between you and I 😉 it's my youngest son's chalkboard easel from Ikea.
This is so pretty and unique for Fall! 🙂
Thank you so much, Christy!
I love these, I know the boys would love drawing on them too 🙂 xo
Thank you, Kristin!I haven't let my youngest near it yet but he does have plans 😉
I love this Mary Beth. I t turned out beautifully! Such a classy take on a pumpkin.
Thank you very much, Kim!
How clever Mary Beth and creative. LOVE this idea! You staged the photo so beautifully too☺
Thank you very much, Marie!
You are inducing some SERIOUS pumpkin envy.
Total knock out.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Awww...thank you, Shannon!
WOW! This is a great idea. Love the chalkboard and the gold glam! Super cute and create!
Thank you, Ladies!
Oh my gosh! This pumpkin is so gorgeous! I have never used the gilding sheets but after seeing your pumpkin, I may have to try it! Pinning and sharing on our FB page!
Thank you, Jane! The gilding sheets scared me at first but they are really easy to use - I can't wait to see what you make with them. 🙂 Thanks for the shares. hugs, mb
What an awesome creation, and the chalkboard addition was perfect, Mary Beth. Pinning!!
Thank you, Larissa!
Looks so good! Pinned and tweeted. We truly appreciate you taking the time to be a part of our party. Please stop by and party with us again. The party starts Monday at 7 pm and ends on Friday at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Mary Beth - I join with everyone else. You do a great job on this gilded pumpkin. Thank you for sharing this wonderful project at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! You are one of my features on Tuesday Treasures. Hope to see you again this week!
Thank you so much, Debi!