How to Decoupage Pumpkins

Today, I wanted to start my Halloween themed projects for October. The first one of these projects is decoupaged plastic or styrofoam pumpkins. I thought these were a really cute alternative to plain pumpkins. This is pretty simple, although it can be a little messy and you will difinietly have you hands covered in Mod Podge by the end of it.

Materials

Foam/Plastic Pumpkin

3-4 sheets Scrapbook Paper

Modpodge

Wide Paint Brush

Bowl

Water

Scissors/Exacto Knife

Paper Slicer (optional)

The main idea is that you’ll put one piece of paper over each rib (the vertical stripes) of the pumpkin. If your pumpkin is very symmetrical and even, you can cut all the strips of paper the same size. If the width of the ribs in the pumpkin vary, you should measure each one before you cut it. This pumpkin was very even, so each strip of paper was just over 2”.

Start by measuring for your first strip of paper. Be sure to allow for the depth of the rib by rolling the ruler around the rib as you measure.

Then cut one strip of paper at that width.

Round off the top and bottom of the strip to match the curve of the pumpkin.

If your pumpkin’s ribs are very deep, you should cut slits in the sides of the paper to allow it to fold over itself and fit to the pumpkin.

The scrapbook paper I used for the red pumpkin was more of a cardstock weight, so I needed it to get extra soggy to be able to mold it around the pumpkin. To do this, I mixed the mod podge with 3 parts water and 1 part mod podge. If your scrapbook paper is thin, you can mix it about 1 part water and two parts mod podge. 

  Dip the paper in the Mod Podge from top to bottom. Let it soak for about 30 seconds.

Lift the paper out of the Mod Podge and slide your fingers down it to wipe off the excess glue. Yes, this did ruin my manicure :-/

Lay the strip of paper over the rib that you cut it for. Line it up on the top first, then center over the rib. Start smoothing it down, starting in the center 

and then working your way to the bottom and then the top. 

You can use your brush to smooth it over and even out the Mod Podge. If any areas aren’t sticking, brush more Mod Podge under and on top of it and try smoothing it down again.

Once the first strip is in place. Do the same for the next strip, but be sure to measure from the edge of the last strip to the other side of the rib so there’s no gap. Add a little extra, about ¼”, so that the strips overlap just a little bit.

Repeat this all the way around the pumpkin. Each strip should dry before you make it to the opposite side of the pumpkin, but in case it doesn’t, allow time for it to dry, so you don’t set a wet side down on any surface. This will make a mess on you work surface and probably ruin your pumpkin.

When you get to the last strip, try to get the measurement pretty accurate so that it doesn't overlap the other pieces too much. Center it over the last rib and smooth it down. You can add a thin layer of Mod Podge over the pumpkin to cover any mistakes and give it a little glossy shine. 

The just let it dry and you're done!

Yes, that it a photo mosaic picture in my picture :-)