I always get a little giddy at the first mention of pumpkins. I feel excitement building up inside me until it must come out. This year it came out in the form of DIY pumpkin blocks. So today I’m going to show you how this idea turned into a reality.

Materials

For these DIY pumpkin blocks, you will need:

• scrap wood,
• paint,
• wood glue
• twine (optional.)

We used 4×4 wood for the pumpkin, 2×2 wood for the stem, and spray paint. You can use any kind of paint you prefer. I chose spray paint because it sprays evenly, but still leaves details in the wood. I do love that rustic look. Also, I used Craft Smart paint and a round sponge for the polka dots. Finally, I used a paint pen for the detail work of the jack-o-lanterns.

Creative Process

I started this project with several ideas churning around in my head and I wasn’t quite sure which direction I was going to take. That can be both exciting and nerve-racking because you aren’t sure how it’s gonna turn out. I was thinking a candy corn block or polka dots or just orange or stripes. However, I painted them orange and the inspiration stuck me to go reversible. That was a major light bulb moment for me. Jack-o-lanterns and fall pumpkins are equally important in my world.

Instructions

Cut your wood to the size of the pumpkins you want. You can just eye it to get the size you need. Also cut your 2×2 wood to size for your stem.
Next, paint your big pieces orange. Paint your little pieces brown for the stem. Allow time to dry.
After that, you are going to use wood glue to get your stem to stay on your pumpkin. Don’t worry if some glue seeps out on the sides. It will dry clear.

After that has had time to dry, it is time for your fall polka dots and jack-o-lantern faces. I used a sponge cut in a circle for the polka dots. Dab polka dots on two adjoining sides of your pumpkin. Let that dry.

On the other side of your pumpkins, you are going to draw some jack-o-lantern faces. Trust me when I say these don’t need to be perfect. I thought I had messed it up several times but they turned out great. Just don’t look at them up close.

Tie twine or ribbon around your stem and you are done.

Enjoy Your DIY Pumpkin Blocks

Use the jack-o-lantern side for Halloween and then turn around for the fall polka dots so your pumpkins can be left out all the way through Thanksgiving. And just like that, you are ready for Halloween and fall.

Happy crafting!
-Beth