Today, I have the privilege of being a guest on one of my favorite blogs, Dreamy Whites. (I’ve been guesting a lot lately, haven’t I?) Anyway, Maria is one of the sweetest people you’ll ever “meet” and she has an impeccable style sense and knows how to wield a camera. If you have not been to her blog, you must check it out. Maria asked me to share a fall decorating idea with her readers and I was happy to come up with something that’s “me” as well as “her.” I decided to make a “grain sack” pumpkin. Does that sound like “you”? If so, click here for the full tutorial.
This is grain sack pumpkin project is a great example that fall decor doesn’t have to be all about oranges and reds. It can be in blues and whites, which is what I like!
To create these grain sack painted pumpkins, first of all, wash and dry the pumpkins. Apply a piece of low-tack painter’s tape around the “equator” of the pumpkin.
Using the tape as a guide, paint a thin stripe above and below it. I used acrylic paint (midnight mixed with burnt umber), but you can use any paint you have on hand to make the “grain sack” stripes on the pumpkins.
With a 2.0 liner brush, paint initials, a date, or a seasonal word above the top line. As a nod to “The Headless Horseman”, I painted Ichabod on one and 10.31 (the date of Halloween) on the other. If you’re not comfortable with a brush, use a paint pen or Sharpie marker. You could also use graphite transfer paper to trace text printed from a computer.
Thanks again for this opportunity to share this grain sack pumpkin with your blog audience, Maria! You can find more fall projects HERE.
I’ve also been super busy with new pieces for the shop. I had a great opening weekend, which means I need to restock. I’ve made some fabric banners (like the “wish” one above), more glitter butterflies and magnetic letters, and I’m working on the china cabinet that’s been in my office to get it ready to sell. Busy, busy, busy…
17 Responses
Marian…I LOVE IT & am going to dig out the paints today! Thanks…:)JP
really beautiful composition!!!
i love it!
greetings from Spain
well i am thanking maria for introducing me to you. wow. i love your blog. great style and diy's that i can do. i am just a little bit lazy when it comes to projects, but i think i can handle some of yours. i am so glad to have found you. have a great day.
As usual, love your work. You make it look so easy. I always loose an hour when I'm on your blog because there's so much to learn.
Hi Marian,
I love this idea! Grain sack pumpkin? I'm all over it!
I have been your follower for a while and every time I come here you always have a good surprise to inspire us! Everybody wants to be like you!
I have a simple question for you: How do you price your pieces? Do you decide how much profit (20%, 50%) you need to have or you decide the price according to demand?
I am just asking because recently I participated in an Art Fair and hardly sold my pieces. Even though everyone stopped to check them out and had nice comments like "unique", "nice", "good quality materials", etc. They hardly bought my pieces.
So I am guessing I had the wrong price?
Or maybe the wrong clientele?
If you can, please give us some tips on how to market our work?
Thank you so much!
Best wishes.
You are so amazing! What a fantastic idea, love the white pumpkin you used, and the nod to the Headless Horseman is priceless! ~Lili
Yes I too love the peacefulness the white pumpkin shows us in your display. beautiful way to bring in fall 🙂
see you soon
xx
Dore
Oh, I love your pumpkins! So elegant and simple, and I know I can handle this project. Yes, I too am curious, like Simony, how to price items. Also, could you give an example of a good mid-range price camera that is excellent for blog photos? I'm so happy that your business is booming. You are so generous with your how-tos.
I love the Ichabod pumpkin…what a great idea…the pumpkin is so fun in white.
Karen @ Garden, Home and Party
love Maria's blog! you are so talented!! fun project! susan
Heading out in search of white pumpkins today. Fun and simple idea that looks classy and elegant. Thanks for the idea!
Marian,
Hello there, my amazing "can do anything & everything…very well" friend! 🙂
Love the pumpkins & LOVE that fabric banner! How'd you do that one??? Frayed edges or sewn? I think I would like to make one for our very similar piano!!
Take care!
xo,
Shellagh
I was trying so hard to find a white pumpkin today….no luck here yet.
I love yours!
I love this:-) I was just thinking about how I can incorporate the white pumpkins into decorating this october.
The pumpkin is so clever. I love this style, but I really really love the fabric banner. How fun is that?
Sherry
Oh Marian! There HAS GOT to be a way for your fans to get their hands on that "wish" banner!