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.

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin DIY from cupcakesandcrinoline.com

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}:

Gilding Adhesive

Gilding Brushes 

Gilding Sheets in Gold

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}

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin

Once I gathered my supplies I started the process.

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin

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.

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin with tacky adhesive

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!

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin with chalk prep

Once you have your pumpkin gilded prep the chalkboard surface with chalk.....

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin with chalk prep rub - cupcakesandcrinoline.com

and buff off the chalk with a cloth or paper towel.

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin Closeup of Finished Pumpkin at cupcakesandcrinoline.com

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.

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin from cupcakesandcrinoline.com

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!

Pin it now save it for later in orange and green

Gilded Chalkboard Pumpkin DIY from cupcakesandcrinoline.com

Now for some more Fall Ideas Tour Inspiration! 

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Fall Mantels #FallIdeasTour

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

Fall Tablescapes 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

Fall Wreath IdeasWednesday

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

Cupcakes and Crinoline

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | So Much Better With Age

Art is Beauty | AKA Design

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58 Comments

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  2. Lindsay Eidahl says:

    WOW! I love this idea! Great job!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Lindsay! I loved your mantel, too. So many lovely details.

  3. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says:

    Coolest pumpkin every Mary Beth!!! I love it!
    xo
    Nancy

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Nancy! hugs, mb

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  5. Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says:

    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

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Karin!
      hugs, mb

  6. That is so cool Mary Beth!! Love it!!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Vanessa.

  7. Paula@SweetPea says:

    Pretty! I love the combination of the chalkboard with the gold gilding.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you very much, Paula. 🙂

  8. I love it! Have to try this idea.

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  10. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says:

    Oh Mary Beth... I LOVE your pumpkin! That turned out gorgeous!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Maryann!

  11. Jamie | anderson + grant says:

    Such a creative idea, Mary Beth!!!! I love chalkboard anything and the gilding really dresses it up.

  12. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says:

    This is so pretty, Mary Beth! Love the dark background in your photo. It really makes the berries and pumpkin pop!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Jennifer! Between you and I 😉 it's my youngest son's chalkboard easel from Ikea.

  13. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says:

    This is so pretty and unique for Fall! 🙂

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Christy!

  14. I love these, I know the boys would love drawing on them too 🙂 xo

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Kristin!I haven't let my youngest near it yet but he does have plans 😉

  15. Kim Jones says:

    I love this Mary Beth. I t turned out beautifully! Such a classy take on a pumpkin.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you very much, Kim!

  16. Marie@The Interior Frugalista says:

    How clever Mary Beth and creative. LOVE this idea! You staged the photo so beautifully too☺

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you very much, Marie!

  17. You are inducing some SERIOUS pumpkin envy.
    Total knock out.
    I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Awww...thank you, Shannon!

  18. Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says:

    WOW! This is a great idea. Love the chalkboard and the gold glam! Super cute and create!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Ladies!

  19. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says:

    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!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      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

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  27. Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says:

    What an awesome creation, and the chalkboard addition was perfect, Mary Beth. Pinning!!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Larissa!

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  36. Lou Lou Girls says:

    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

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  39. Debi @ Surroundings by Debi says:

    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!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you so much, Debi!

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