DIY Ombre Pumpkins {tutorial}

I have seen a few ombre inspired projects lately (here) and was trying to think of a way to incorporate this trend into my fall decore. Why not try to paint  my craft pumkins?

Supplies:

Craft pumpkins (I got my two smaller ones at the Dollar Tree and the largest one at Joanns for 50% off)

One 2 oz paint bottle (I used Martha Stewarts new line of paints. Just because I liked the color)

One 2 oz bottle of white or cream paint

Paint brushes

Blue painter's tape

Ruler

Primer (you dont really need this but my pumpkins all started out different colors. I primed them with white spray primer so I had the same surface to work with)

Once I primed my pumpkins and they dried I decided how big I wanted my stripes to be. I choose 3/4 inch. With your pumpkin sitting flat, measure 3/4 inch up from your flat surface. Put your blue painters tape around the pumpkin.

Next, squeeze your entire bottle of orange paint into a cantainer (or whatever color you choose). Paint your first section of the pumpkin.

This is where this project gets time consuming. Let the paint completly dry (approx. 30 minutes). While I was waiting for my paint to dry I cleaned and worked on some future projects. I used a hair dryer to help speed the process because I had the patience of about a two year old. Watching and waiting for paint to dry is very exciting!

Once your paint is dry remove the blue tape. Put blue tape over the line that just finished drying, leaving a little overlap so no white shows through. Measure 3/4 inch from your last painted row and tape around your pumpkin again. You will now have two rows of blue tape to paint your next row between.

Try to get your tape as tight as possible. The surface of the pumpkin made it difficult. In the end, it really does not matter beacause you are going to be painting over it with your next row. Plus with the uneven surface of the pumpkin the blemishes are difficult to see unless you standing right next to the pumpkin.

To paint your next row, add 1 teaspoon of white paint to your base and mix. You will continue this process all the way up your pumpkin. It is a long project so don't expect to sit down and do this project in an hour. (I painted a row, went to the gym, came back to do the next row, showered, came back to do the next row, ect...)

When I finally finished painting my rows, I painted the stem of the pumpkin with some leftover brown paint. I am pleased with the finished project, but this project takes time and patience.

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