How to Decoupage Pumpkins for Halloween

Part of the fun of the Halloween season is the joy of flexing your creative muscle to find new and innovative ways to create a spooky yet fun atmosphere. Decoupaging pumpkins for Halloween is a great way to tie in the bountiful harvest season theme with the scary holiday tradition. Follow the steps below to decoupage your own pumpkins for a fun and freaky addition to your harvest decorations.

Things You'll Need

• Pictures cut out of magazines or books
• Scissors
• Plain white school glue
• Water
• Container for mixing your decoupage solution
• Paintbrush
• Pumpkin
• Rubber bugs and spiders (optional)

Instructions

1. Gather all the materials and supplies that you will need to complete the project before you begin. This way they will be handy when you get started and enables you to complete your craft with a minimum of hassle.

2. Look for pictures in old magazines, wrapping paper, old boxes or even old books. In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, look for pictures of bugs, ghosts, witches, haunted houses or other spooky, scary images. Your decoupaged pumpkin can sport anything from hobgoblins or angels to haunted houses or scare crows.

3. Cut out the pictures that you want to use. Cut as close to the image's edge as possible, so to trim as much of the background as possible.

4. Make your decoupage solution. Pour one cup of plain white glue into a container. Add one cup of water, stirring to mix thoroughly. The solution will turn milky in appearance, with the texture of paint.

5. Use the paint brush to apply a layer of decoupage solution onto your pumpkin. Position the cut out images of your choice onto the surface of the pumpkin. Overlap the pictures so as to cover the entire surface of the pumpkin's surface.

6. Apply a thin layer of decoupage solution over the pictures with the paint brush. Take care to smooth out any air bubbles that may form while applying the pictures or solution.

7. Set the pumpkin aside to dry completely. Now apply another coat or two of the decoupage solution, depending on the thickness of the decoupaged pictures. Allow each layer of decoupage solution to dry completely before you apply the next.

8. Apply bugs, spiders or other creepy crawlies using craft glue to further enhance the spooky theme of the finished project.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of making your decoupage solution, you can always just purchase some from the craft store.

• Instead of covering the entire surface of the pumpkin with decoupaged images, you may opt to just apply a band of images around the middle of the pumpkin.