It’s that time of the year again …pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pies, pumpkin patches … pumpkins galore! Carving pumpkins isn’t exactly my forte, so I’ve put together some of my favourite no-carve DIY pumpkins designs. Whether you’re looking to add some seasonal decor to your home or finding ways to keep the kids busy, these designs are quick, easy and on point! You can also check out this post from last Halloween for more ideas.

Preparing to Decorate

Step 1 – Get pumpkins! If they have minor blemishes, don’t worry about it if you plan on spray painting them.

Step 2 – With a damp cloth, wipe down your pumpkin(s) and let them air dry. Removing the dirt creates a smoother canvas for paint.

Step 3 – Get all your supplies ready.

Step 4 – Be creative and have fun!

PUMPKIN #1 – BUTTONS & BOOS

This is a quick and easy pumpkin to make, and requires little clean-up after. If you purchase an assorted button pack, I recommend using the smaller buttons because they creates a more detailed look.

What you need:

1. White pumpkin
2. Buttons (I picked up a pack from Dollarama for $1.25)
3. Glue gun

Directions

1. On an even surface, spread out all the buttons you want to use so you have easy access to them.
2. Start by gluing the back of each button and applying it to the pumpkin to form the word BOO. After you have a rough outline, add more buttons to make the letters slightly thicker.

PUMPKIN #2 – POLKA DOT PARTY

This design is great for kids as they can use their favourite colours to create their own polka dot party. My niece Olivia loves the colour pink, so I couldn’t resist making this for her.

What you need:

1. Orange or white pumpkin
2. Pom poms (I picked up a couple multi-coloured packs from Dollarama and pulled the pink and white ones out.)
3. Spray paint. I used Krylon ColorMaster in Ballet Slipper (Satin), which you can pick-up from Michaels. Check out their website first, as they often have 40% off coupons online
4. Pebeo Studio Acrylics High Viscosity Paint, also available to Michaels
5. Craft Smart Multi Surface Premium Satin Acrylic Paint (Michaels)
6. Glue gun
7. Paintbrush (I recommend this Craft Smart Brush Assortment from Michaels)

Directions

1. Find an open, ventilated area and cover with newspaper.
2. Take the Krylon spray paint and paint over the pumpkin.
3. Allow to dry for 30 – 60 minutes.
4. Take the Pebeo paint and a paintbrush and paint the stem of the pumpkin any colour you like.
5. Once the stem is dry, take the Craft Smart paint and using a fine tip paintbrush, paint small polka dots on the stem.
6. Apply glue to the pom pom and apply sporadically around the pumpkin.

PUMPKIN #3 – PUMPKINS NIGHT OUT

This is a quick and easy way to add some festive decor to your home.

What you need:

1. Orange pumpkin
2. Fishnet tights (I picked up a pair from Dollarama for $2).
3. Elastic
4. Raffia or ribbon

Directions

1. Pull the waist of the tights over the pumpkin, leaving the leg portion at the bottom.
2. Pull the waist around the stem and tie with an elastic.
3. Slip the tights over the pumpkin, tie the legs in a knot and cut excess fabric.
4. With raffia or ribbon, tie a bow around the stem.

PUMPKIN #4 – LADY IN PINK

Lady in pink …need I say more?

What you need:

1. Orange or white pumpkin
2. Fake eyelashes (I got a pair of pink ones from Dollarama for $2).
3. Spray paint – Krylon ColorMaster in Ballet Slipper
4. Pebeo Studio Acrylics High Viscosity Paint
5. Paintbrush
6. Lip stencil (I used this one)

Directions

1. Find an open, ventilated area and cover with newspaper.
2. Take the spray paint and paint over the pumpkin.
3. Once dry, apply the fake eyelashes to the pumpkin (I didn’t need any adhesive). I recommend putting the pumpkin on a table and getting down to eye level to ensure you don’t apply the lashes too low.
4. I’m not the greatest at freehand drawing, so I cut a stencil of the lips and used that to paint the lips onto the pumpkin. I recommend using a fine tip paintbrush.
5. Decorate the stem with paint if you like.

PUMPKIN #5 – ITSY BITSY SPIDER

This design is more Halloween focused than some of my other pumpkins, and I’ve got to say I’m loving the clean and sparkly finish. It may not be scary, but it sure is pretty!

What you need:

1. Orange or white pumpkin
2. Glitter stickers or rhinestones (Dollarama to the rescue).
3. Spider (Michaels and Dollarama have a great selection).
4. Spray paint. I used the Krylon Short Cuts Hobby & Craft Enamel in white.
5. Glue gun (optional)

Directions

1. Find an open, ventilated area, cover with newspaper and spray paint over the pumpkin. If you have a white pumpkin already, you don’t need to spray paint it. I found white pumpkins a bit harder to find this year so I ended up going with an orange pumpkin and spray painting it white.
2. Once the pumpkin is dry, add one line of silver rhinestones/ stickers down the pumpkin. Next, add three lines of black rhinestones to the left or right of the silver rhinestones, and continue working your way around the pumpkin until the web is complete. The top black line of rhinestones may require less rhinestones than the bottom, but this is based on the shape of your pumpkin. The great thing about the Dollarama rhinestones is that you can break them apart.
3. Take your spider and apply it to your pumpkin. My spider has an elastic, so I wrapped that around the stem, If yours doesn’t, apply the spider using a glue gun.

PUMPKIN #6 – THE BLUES

This pumpkin is inspired by my niece Lily, who loved anything with the colour blue. I thought the pumpkin looked great without decoration, but decided to add a pop of Halloween using black and orange chevron patterned tape.

What you need:

1. Orange or white pumpkin
2. Spray paint. I used the Krylon Short Cuts Hobby & Craft Enamel in Bonnet Blue.
3. Tape. I used the Recollections glitter tape in black and orange, available at Michaels.

Directions

1. Find an open, ventilated area, cover with newspaper and spray paint over the pumpkin blue.
2. Once the pumpkin is dry, take the first roll of tape and start wrapping it around the pumpkin. Use the second roll and do the same, and keep going until you’re happy with the design. The tape I purchased from Michaels is enough for two rounds per tape roll, but I opted against doing a second round of the black.

PUMPKIN #7 – SAKS

I initially had a completely different idea for this pumpkin. As I was getting ready to decorate, I noticed a couple Saks bags in my office from a recent trip to Sherway Gardens and was inspired by the ribbon. One thing led to another and voila; a Saks-inspired pumpkin for all my fashion-lovin’ gals & gents.

What you need:

1. Orange or white pumpkin
2. Spray paint. I used the Krylon Short Cuts Hobby & Craft Enamel in Flat Black
3. Ribbon
4. Glue gun
5. FLOWERS

Directions

1. Find an open, ventilated area, cover with newspaper and spray paint the pumpkin.
2. Once dry, take the ribbon and apply it vertically down the pumpkin using a glue gun to adhere the ribbon the pumpkin. Use as much or as little ribbon as you like. If you don’t have a lot, I suggest wrapping it horizontally around the pumpkin once.
3. Using an assortment of flowers and a glue gun, start applying them around the stem of the pumpkin.

Happy decorating!

xo, Kiki