Friday, October 29, 2010

Pretty Plastic Pumpkins

This year decided to go with something different outside. Different and cheap. I had an idea to make planters out of those cheap plastic pumpkin trick or treat baskets. I picked up 2 different baskets, at 2 different times and well they turned out to have 2 different faces AND they were 2 different shades of orange. Lessons learned. Not what I had in mind at all. Um hello - tacky? In the past years, I have had a straw witch with a straw broom, corn stalks and a huge ceramic pumpkin that I actually made when I was pregnant with my youngest... 12 years ago. Last year it broke. It was a sad sad day.
So this year a lil something for the lonely witch. Cheap plastic pumpkin.
Pretty cute huh?
Guess what ~ They light up too!
A simple simple project that pics were unfortunately taken with my iPhone. Here is what I did.
First I sprayed both pumpkins with orange paint. Yup, sprayed orange pumpkins orange. Call me crazy but I just wanted to make sure they were the same shade of orange. Then I filled in the eyes, nose and mouth with black acrylic paint.
Next I put a hole at the bottom of one pumpkins (the top pumpkin) and a hole in the back of the base pumpkin. Then I threaded in a strand of 100 LED lights. Then came me trying to decide how to keep these guys together. After trying to think of ways to tape or glue them together I came up with rocks. Yep good old fashioned heavy rocks... and it worked like a charm.
The top pumpkin actually fits perfectly into the base pumpkins so I think (hope) the weight of the rocks will keep them stacked.
Here is the finished product.
And at night

Doesn't she have the best face?
Now this simple and cheap project will never take the place of the sentimental ceramic pumpkin that I dropped, but for now it works.
I'm linking up to these great link parties: Thrifty Decor Chick

11 comments:

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

They are so cute and I love that they light up!! I think your trick or treaters are going to love them too.

the cape on the corner said...

lol about spraying orange pumpkins orange! LOVE that witch, she's awesome. where's she from?

Heather said...

Your pumpkins and witch look great!

Blondie's Journal said...

These are just darling! I love that you fussed over them til they were just perfect. They look so cool at night! And I love your scary witches!! Great job!

XO,
Jane

Amanda @ Mamaslittleladybugs.blogspot.com said...

I love this! I must copy this for next year. Too cute.

Hilary said...

Great, I like that a lot!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi there~
I love the stacked pumpkins- they are so much fun!! You did a great job with them and love that they light up-They look so cute on your porch glowing next to the witch! Thanks so much for joining Feathered Nest Friday and sharing this project. Happy Halloween!!!

Anonymous said...

They actually look better painted. The newer ones especially have a really neon color to them, so I like how you toned that down. Nifty idea with the lights and making them a decoration.

Kayla and Andrew said...

These are such a cute idea that anyone could do. I love the top pumpkins face; very cute.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Love the stacked pumpkins! I still adore the vintage feel of the plastic pumpkins and your make over is super cute! Clever idea with the lights. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Lauren {whimsy lane} said...

How cute would it be to put plants in the pumpkins too?! I think I might do that next year... thanks for the inspiration!