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"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Faux Heirloom Pumpkins with Chalk Paint

With the holidays right around the corner I'm doing my best to whip things into shape for autumn. I have a mostly all-white pumpkin/natural theme going on in my dining room but in the family room/breakfast nook I've mixed it up a bit.

I know this is a gardening blog, but I don't think ya'll mind when I share some of my crafting fun with you like I have for past holidays.

This weekend our Florida weather was so wonderful it actually felt like fall. Along with some very enjoyable gardening time, I also decided to paint some pumpkins. I usually purchase several heirloom pumpkins for decorating the front entry and the inside of my home. They have not been available in abundance this year and besides that, they are a bit pricey.

I used some Annie Sloan 'Olive' Chalk Paint that I already had on hand from a previous project. One coat covered the pumpkins well enough for my purposes. I let that dry for about 20 minutes.

Then I rubbed off the olive paint with a damp towel (a piece of sandpaper would also work) distressing the pumpkins (much like we do with furniture) in random patterns. I was happy with the way they turned out.

But then I decided to take it a step further and finish them with Annie Sloan Soft Wax.

I rubbed on a thin coat of 'clear' wax with a clean rag. Before each one dried I also rubbed each pumpkin with a small amount of 'dark' wax. The dark wax gave me the exact look I was striving for. It added a patina that gives them a unique appearance. The entire project took me about 30 minutes.

I realize these pumpkins don't exactly look like heirlooms but the coloration does resemble an heirloom, don't you think?

***Just so you know, I didn't come up with this idea. I saw it somewhere using white paint and kept the idea in the back of my mind. I wish I could remember where it was so I could give credit.

*** Please click over to Hoe and Shovel on Facebook to view the daily photos and discussions about plants there. Click on the LIKE button to be part of the conversation. We'd love to hear what you have to add.
Meems

5 comments:

  1. They look wonderful! Job well done!

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  2. They certainly do have the heirloom look you were seeking. They'll be beautiful in and outside your home!

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  3. Nice look. Bet they'll make a great statement around your place for the holidays:)

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  4. I think your pumpkins look like the real thing for a lot less money.

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  5. Meems, it's the sanding off part that really makes these pumpkins rock!

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Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

Back Garden: October 2010

Louise Philippe: Antique Rose

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