Think outside the box and get creative!
How to carve a pumpkin
It’s that time of the year again! Pumpkins are in abundant supply and Halloween is just around the corner. Carving a pumpkin isn’t as tricky as you might think, all it takes is a little bit of planning and preparation. Read our step-by-step guide and discover how to carve a pumpkin and create your very own jack-o’-lantern.
It’s time to roll up your sleeves! Follow our advice and you’ll have a spooktacular display ready just in time for Halloween…
You will need:
- Pumpkin/s
- Pen or pencil
- Serrated knife
- Spoon
- Large bowl
- Tealight candle
First things first, choose the perfect pumpkin for your spooky creation. If you’re planning on creating a big showstopper, then you’ll want a large pumpkin as your canvas. If you’re designing something small and simple, you can opt for a smaller pumpkin.
Do you want your pumpkin to be orange all the way over, or do you want it to have some streaks of green? Do you want it to be short and wide, or slim and tall?
You’ll find plenty of pumpkins in your local supermarket, or you could even head to your nearest pumpkin patch. More and more farms are opening their doors to the public with impressive displays, hot food, entertainment – and of course the opportunity to pick your own pumpkins!
Step 2 – Cut off the top and remove all the insides
Now that you’ve chosen your pumpkin, use a serrated knife to cut off the crown. Scoop the insides out with a large spoon, or with your hands if you don’t mind getting a bit messy! Keep a big bowl within arm’s reach for you to empty all the pumpkin seeds and flesh into. And don’t throw it away, you can use the insides to make pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie, and you could even roast the seeds for a delicious snack.
Once your pumpkin is clean on the inside, now you can draw the outline of your design. Use a thin marker pen to sketch out your design. You could go for a simple jack-o-lantern face or be a bit more creative and carve a shrieking cat or creepy witch. In fact, you don’t need to go down the scary Halloween route at all. Instead of choosing something spooky, you could carve a beautiful autumnal leaf display. We suggest having a look online to get some inspiration for your pumpkin carving ideas.
How to Make a Wooden Pumpkin Fall Sign
This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read our disclosure policy. Here is an easy step-by-step guide to creating a rustic wooden pumpkin sign. Learn how to transform simple 1×4’s and 1×2’s into a charming fall accent that will add warmth to your home decor.
A while ago, a friend of mine called me to ask if I had any need for a bunch of cedar fence pickets that had been cut to about 2′ in length. Her husband had gotten them for a project but never got around to completing it. She was in the process of cleaning out her garage and wanted them gone. I said yes to taking them, knowing that the poor fence pieces would probably have the same fate in my garage. I’m the type of person that likes to collect pieces of wood and other random crap though because you never know when inspiration will strike! Well, inspiration struck last weekend. After seeing so many of these wooden pumpkins on Pinterest, I knew I wanted to make my own. My front porch is pretty boring, and I thought one of these would make a statement. Plus I’ve been needing a project to try out the new Jig Saw hubby got me for my birthday. The cedar fence pickets were the perfect boards for this wooden pumpkin, and I used a little bit of stain to give it a sun-faded, worn look.
How to Make a Wooden Pumpkin Fall Sign
Before we dive into the steps to make a wooden pumpkin, let’s gather all the materials you’ll need for this project:
- 6 1×4’s cut to 24″
- 2 1×2’s cut to 18″
- Nail gun or hammer and 1″ nails
- Wood glue
- Jig Saw
- Stain in your desired color(s) (I used Varathane Sunbleached and Kona)
- Foam brush or rag
- White acrylic paint
- Small paint brush
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Wooden Pumpkin From Scrap Wood
Form the Base: Start by laying out the six 1x4s vertically together to form a rectangle. This will be the base of the wooden pumpkin sign.
Now, draw the desired pumpkin shape on the wood, ensuring it fits within the dimensions of the 1x4s. Once you have the shape traced, flip the boards over to expose the backside.
Attach the Frame: Apply a small amount of wood glue to one side of the 1x2s and press them down onto the backs of the 1x4s, creating a frame for the pumpkin shape. The 1x2s will serve as support for the sign.
Once glued, use a nail gun or hammer and 1″ nails to secure the 1x2s in place. Allow the glue to dry for about 2 hours before proceeding to the next step.
Cut Out the Pumpkin Shape: Now, it’s time to bring your pumpkin shape to life. Using a Jig Saw, carefully cut along the outline you traced earlier. Take your time and follow the lines precisely to achieve a well-defined shape.
Add the Stem: For the pumpkin’s stem, use a scrap piece of wood and nail it into place from the back of the sign. This will add an extra touch of authenticity to your wooden pumpkin sign.
Stain and Weather the Wood: To achieve the rustic, weathered look, apply a coat of “sunbleached” stain to the entire surface of the sign. Allow it to dry before adding a second coat using the “espresso” stain. This combination will create an appealing worn effect on the wood.
For an even more weathered appearance, use a dry brush technique to apply white chalk paint sparingly over the surface.
Paint the Details: Once the stain and weathering are complete, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Use white acrylic paint and a small paintbrush to add details such as pumpkin lines and subtle highlights. This step will bring the pumpkin to life and enhance the overall charm of your creation.
This wooden pumpkin adds the perfect finishing touch to my Fall front porch. I am usually not one to decorate the front of my house a lot, but I do like to buy some pretty mums each year. Of course, the burlap and lace fall wreath helps tie everything together too.
These DIY wood pumpkins add the perfect rustic charm to our front porch. I hope you’ll make one or a few for yourself too! Whether you choose to use reclaimed wood, pallets, or any other materials, your wooden pumpkins will reflect your creativity as every pumpkin will be different.
More fun Fall decorating ideas:
Don’t forget to pin it!
