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How to Make Plastic Pumpkins Look Real!

September 29, 2015  Fall | My Projects | Uncategorized

See how to make fake plastic pumpkins look realistic! A simple paint technique will have your faux pumpkins looking like they came straight from the pumpkin patch! This is a fun and easy fall craft anyone can do.

How to Make Plastic Pumpkins Look Realistic - in minutes! kellyelko.com

Remember when I shared my deep, dark hatred for plastic pumpkin pails.

Well, that hatred has been brewing inside of me for years and it’s finally trickled down to the lowly fake pumpkin …

or funkin as it’s called.  Not that there’s anything fun about them.

So instead of seething with anger any longer, I decided to turn those pumpkins from fake to fabulous.

How to Make Plastic Pumpkins Look Realistic

Supplies:
Fake pumpkin
Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint (I used ivory)
Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Antique Wax
paintbrush
paper towels

I love this Vintage Decor Paint – use it on furniture, wood, plastic or anything else you want to makeover – no prep or priming needed.

Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Paint kellyelko.com

1) Paint your pumpkin with two coats of ivory paint (I used ivory instead of white to give it a more natural appearance)

Note: if you want to keep your pumpkin orange, skip this step

How to make a fake plastic pumpkin look real kellyelko.com

2) Once the ivory paint is dry, brush on a small amount of the Vintage Decor Antique Wax then use a damp paper towel to rub the paint into the pumpkin.  Rub off excess and blend with the damp towel.

3) Let dry, then set it out and fool your neighbors.

How to make a fake plastic pumpkin look realistic kellyelko.com

Not only do my pumpkins look like I just picked them right off the vine …

but now I can cancel my anger management sessions.

See my 12 DIY Painted Pumpkin ideas here – complete with step by step tutorials!.

12 Creative Pumpkin Painting Tutorials with Instructions! kellyelko.com #pumpkins #fallcrafts #fallcrafting #pumpkincrafts #diyideas #paintingtutorials #paintcrafts

P.S. See how I made over my ugly plastic pumpkin pails here.

P.P.S. Take my Eclectically Fall Home Tour for more decorating inspiration.

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Comments

  1. [email protected]

    September 29, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Great job Kelly-love the way these turned out! I also have a loathing for all things fall-plastic…

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      September 29, 2015 at 9:11 am

      Let’s make it our mission to rid the world of them!

      Reply
  2. Ana

    September 29, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Hi Kelly,
    Love this idea. Your pumpkin turned out great. Cannot wait to try it out. May I ask were you found the Martha Stewart paint?

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      September 29, 2015 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks Ana – link to the paint is in the post or you can find it at Michaels

      Reply
  3. Cindy Smith

    September 29, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Yes, where do you find this paint? And where do you get your plastic pumpkins? I loved this post! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      September 29, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks Cindy – link to paint is in the post or find paint and pumpkins at Michaels

      Reply
  4. Marlene Stephenson

    September 29, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    I painted some pumpkins last year but now i will try your method it looks much better. Thanks Kelly.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      September 29, 2015 at 3:47 pm

      Let me know how they turn out Marlene!

      Reply
  5. Danielle

    June 16, 2018 at 3:26 pm

    Love these! What type to brush did you use for these?

    Reply
  6. Sue Pratt

    September 12, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    I’m excited to try this! Tired of getting real pumpkins & having them rot! If I put them outside on my porch, I’ll need to find a way to anchor them so they don’t blow away! 💨

    Reply
    • Kelly Elko

      September 12, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      I’d love to see your pumpkins if you do this!

      Reply
      • Joan Clanton

        October 12, 2020 at 12:27 pm

        thank you for this, it made a huge difference.

        Reply
        • Kelly Elko

          October 12, 2020 at 6:37 pm

          So glad you like this Joan!

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Release Your Inner Artist - 12 Best DIY Painted Pumpkins - Kelly Elko says:
    September 17, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    […] Fake to Fabulous Painted Pumpkins […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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784 shares