DIY Pallet Pumpkin

Earlier this year I happened across a post that made me very excited for fall.  This post from Infarrantly Creative was just too cute to wait half a year for, but I did it.  I waited until it was officially fall and for a night Nate was away and broke out some tools.  I call this pumpkin a pallet pumpkin because it’s a great use for old pallet wood.  However, if you don’t have access to a pallet I just used the inexpensive fencing wood from Home Depot.

They have a great step by step tutorial on their blog.  I changed mine up a little bit.  Instead of using a large solid piece of wood to cut out my pumpkin shape (and hold the pumpkin together) I just used 2 small pieces of wood the length I wanted the width of the pumpkin to be and nailed the pieces of wood to that.

My steps (with minimal photos) would be this:

1. lay out your pieces of wood side by side to just wider than you want your pumpkin to be.

2. cut 2 small pieces of wood and nail to the back of your pumpkin (you still need to cut out your pumpkin shape so don’t have that piece of wood go fully from side to side) making sure you get each piece of wood nailed on and that your nails aren’t too long.

3.  using a pencil lightly trace out your pumpkin shape.

4.  using a jig saw cut out your pumpkin.

5.  using a small branch as your stem attach it to the back of your pumpkin (I nailed mine).

At this point you can leave it like it is as a cute rustic pumpkin.  I decided I wanted some color but not a lot so I used orange paint watered down like 80% water to 20% paint.

I did one thin coat and love how it looks dried and as it ages it’ll be even better.

I’m trying to decide how many more I need, the idea of a small one is tempting me but I am scared for my fingers so Nate would have to cut it out for me!

© The REAL Housewives of Riverton, 2011-2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The REAL Housewives of Riverton with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.