CONCRETE PUMPKINS

I love the cool look of concrete pumpkins. There is something so interesting and unique about them, a little bit mysterious. Soft and silent, a velvet like texture, unexpected. Of the many special things I adore about these concrete pumpkins is that you can keep them outside all year. They become a fixed ornament peeking out between a perennial garden, maybe tucked beside an annual. Perhaps just in plain sight perched on your doorstep with a dusting of new snow. Or mixed on your seasonal table. Decorate with them inside or out, they will capture your heart and become a personal favorite. Simple and fun, they take about 15 minutes to make. Soft and silent.

This is what you need-

Shapecrete

Tights

Twine

Vinyl Gloves
Scissors
Trowel

Shapecrete is a new type of concrete mix that is simple to use and delivers amazing results. It comes in a 20 pound container with a handle that makes it easy to lift, store and move around. Mix with a little bit of water and you are all set to create. The outcome is a smooth fine soft surface, unlike concrete that has a pebbly, rough finish, fine for a walkway, but not a work of art for your home. To purchase...Link here.

Use a drop cloth to cover and protect your work space.

To make a small pumpkin, measure from the toe of the tight and cut off about a 10" length.

Measure 4 cups of Shapecrete and place in a container.

Pour 1 cup of water, a little at a time while stirring the Shapecrete. 

Stir until you have what looks like brownie mix.

Scoop up small amounts of the mix and "pour" into the opening of the tight. Fill the tight up with all the mix.

Told the top of the filled tight and slightly bounce the concrete to form a ball and to get any air pockets outs.

Tie a slight knot at the top.

Wrap a length of twine around the pumpkin and tie it in a knot. The tighter you make the twine, the deeper the sections will be.

I tied three strings of twine around my pumpkin, but you can add more if you like. Three looks perfect to me.

Set out in a dry spot to harden. Use a drop cloth under the pumpkins while they set.  Wait two days to let dry.

From the bottom of the pumpkin, cut the twine and peal it away from the the concrete.

Snip the tight off following the lines left by the twine.

Peal the tight away from the concrete like you are pealing an orange.

A soft smooth texture for concrete.

If you see a dark area on the bottom of the pumpkin, it has not dried completely. Turn it over and let dry for an additional day.

To make the stem you will need twine, floral wire and Modge Podge glue and a craft brush.

Measure and cut a 10" to 12" length of twine.

Measure and cut 6 or so lengths of twine. The more strands of twine the thicker the stem will be.

Measure and cut a length of the floral wire the same length as your twine.

Twist the wire into the twine.

Tie a knot at the bottom of the twine.

Twist the wire inside the twine.

Use Mod Podge sparingly on the twine to help the twine stick together. Let dry.

Glue the stem on the top of the pumpkin.

Peeking out here...

Or here...

Or there...

Just beautiful.

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PAINTED CONCRETE PUMPKINS

Here is another look to add to your fall pumpkin collection...a painted (faux) concrete pumpkin. A simple subtle quite look that is full of texture and interest. Beautiful when clustered together or mixed with your favorite pumpkins. Paint fresh or faux pumpkins to create a unique look that will transition from fall to early winter. A look you will never tire of.

So pretty alone,

or arranged with autumn favorites.

This is what you will need-

Pumpkins

Concrete Paint Finish

Craft Brushes

This is the paint I used. I purchased light and dark concrete colors...Link here.

I use a fine tip brush to paint around the stem.

Paint the pumpkin with a larger brush, just paint away. Leave the pumpkin to dry, then turn on its side to paint the bottom. The paint "seals" the pumpkin so if using fresh pumpkins they should last a little longer.

Let dry and you are done. Up close it even looks like concrete!

Clean brushes with soap and water.

Dark on the left and light on the right.

Mix your painted pumpkins together...

Or alone, just by themselves...

Happy fall.

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