From Orange to Gray: {Easy Pumpkin Transformation}

I love everything about fall, but I do not love the color orange in my home.  If you've seen my home, you know I am a neutral loving girl.  So...I decided that gray pumpkins were perfectly acceptable and decided to create a cute, gray pumpkin.

I purchased this plastic pumpkin at At Home (the store formerly known as Garden Ridge).  You can find plastic pumpkins at any craft store and most dollar stores.  I liked this one for the realistic shape and stem. I paid a whooping $6, but it was worth it for the "plump" shape! 

BRIGHT ORANGE PUMPKIN....it looks real though, right?  Isn't it cute?

I always have craft paint on hand, these at around $1-$2 at any craft store.  I love "Gris", it is the perfect medium gray color!

Step 1: Paint the pumpkin gray...I painted the stem too, I didn't really mean to, but it happened and I went with it.  Don't make things more difficult than they need to be. If you paint it, then go with it!  I did a few coats....just cover the orange and you are good!

Step 2: Dry brush the white paint onto the pumpkin. 

How do you do this?  Super easy...dip the tips of the brush into the paint.  Lightly swipe the brush onto a piece of paper removing any clumps then swipe the brush back and forth and up and down the pumpkin.  You cannot mess up...just keep going until the white paint is evenly applied to the gray surface.  I also did the stem.  Keep going until you get the look you want.  I had no plans for this....I just started painting it and I love the look I ended up with! 

Tip: I buy cheap brushes, usually from Dollar Tree...no need for fancy brushes for projects like this!  I wash them after using them and they are good to go for next time!  Between coats, you can place the brush in a plastic bag so the bristles don't get sticky while the paint dries.

 

This project took about 15 minutes...allow a few minutes of dry time between coats,  I did 2 coats of gray and one swipe of white.  Keep brushing the white paint until there are no areas that look saturated.  Super easy and fun!

I plan on doing a lot more this weekend using different colors (all neutral, of course) and some other techniques!  This little gray pumpkin ended up in our living room....I kind of love it!

 

What do you think?  Is this a project you plan on doing for fall?

 

 

Linking up to: Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Budget

Liz Marie Blog

Ikea Hack {Oversized Canvas Chalkboard}

 One day, while roaming the aisles of Ikea, I came across this huge hanging canvas.

I loved the size and saw major project potential!  The price tag of $19.99 was even more appealing so in my cart it went!  I am not going to lie...it sat in the "project pile" for months until one night I broke out the chalkboard paint and made this.... (Ignore my chalk art...I was in a hurry!)

I ended up doing about 4 coats to cover the entire design, but it went pretty quickly!  I painted the wood rods a medium gray color and lightly sanded them for a distressed look.  I even painted the twine that it hangs from and gave it a once over with the sand paper!

I am pretty pleased with this $20 project!  It is hanging on the wall in my daughter's play area...and is the first piece to start a little makeover in that area!  I have a lot to do but I look forward to sharing it with you as I go!

I believe this particular item has been discontinued, but I did find a similar piece if you are interested in making you own canvas chalkboard!

Link: Ikea SILVAKRA hanging picture

I will be back tomorrow with another Break the Bank vs. Cheapskate post...and this one is a good one!  Enjoy your day!

Linking up at: Tatertots and Jello