Are you tired of decorating with plain pumpkins? Today I will show you how to make elegant pumpkins with decoupage and beverage napkins! It’s so easy!!
I don’t know what it is about pumpkins, but I just love them!
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Every year I like to create new pumpkins to decorate with!
Last year, I made some cozy yarn pumpkins and simple jute twine pumpkins!
I love both of them, but this year, I wanted to have a more sophisticated look and dress my pumpkins up a bit!
The easiest way to dress up a pumpkin is with decoupage!
I chose an elegant napkin pattern, but you can give your pumpkins any style you like!!
Let’s get this craft started because I can’t wait for you to see the pumpkins before!
Steps to decoupage pumpkins
Gather
Last year, I purchased plain white pumpkins from Michaels to make an amazing topiary for my front porch!
I chose two of those pumpkins to use for this DIY project!
Gather or purchase the following items:
- Faux pumpkin(s)
- Decorative napkins
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Dried pumpkin stems (optional)
- Paint (optional)-I used it on the stem
- Dried leaves and stems (optional)-I used them to decorate around the stem
- Hot glue gun and sticks (optional)-I used them to glue the stem onto the pumpkin
- Silicone finger protectors
Prep
You might not have to do this step!
If you like the stem on your pumpkin, skip to the decoupage step!
I don’t like the stems on my pumpkins so I am going to replace them with real stems.
I removed the stems from all of the real pumpkins I purchased last year and dried them!
Rich sawed the stems off of both pumpkins for me!
I didn’t want the green color to show through the napkin, so I painted the bottom of the stem white.
Decoupage
I like to cover my work surface with wax paper when I use decoupage.
The first step is to remove the bottom layers of the napkin. You only want to use the thin, decorated layer!
Discard the backing.
Since I had to cover that weird stem area, I cut a circle out of the center of the napkin.
If your pumpkin has a stem, cut a hole to fit around it!
Then, I cut the remaining napkin into four pieces.
Apply Mod Podge to the first area where you want to place the napkin.
Gently press the napkin into the grooves.
Apply more Mod Podge on top of the napkin.
It’s that simple! Now repeat the same steps!
Decide where you will place the next napkin on the pumpkin.
Paint the Mod Podge on that area of the pumpkin.
Press the napkin onto the pumpkin.
When the napkin gets a lump in it like in the above picture,
Simply cut the excess napkin away so you won’t get a crease!
Cover that section of the napkin with more Mod Podge.
If you get a hole in the napkin from pressing too hard, just add a tiny piece of napkin to cover it, no one will ever notice it!
Continue the steps until the entire pumpkin is covered.
Add Real Pumpkin stems
I’m so excited to use my dried pumpkin stems for this project!
It gives the pumpkin a more realistic look!
So don’t forget to save those pumpkin stems this year!
My stems looked too orange so I painted them with one coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre.
Next, hot glue the stem onto the pumpkin!
Be careful when using a hot glue gun and do not touch the glue!
I highly recommend using silicone finger protectors! No more blisters for me!
Since the stem is not a perfect fit for my pumpkin, I decided to add some embellishments around it!
First, I glued dried white leaves around the stem.
Next, I glued some faux stems under the leaves.
And there you have it!
An elegant pumpkin!!
style your decoupage pumpkins
Conclusion
Well, what do you think of my dressed-up pumpkins?
Don’t they look amazing?
Can you believe the transformation?
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever decoupaged a pumpkin!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
save it for later
Save this DIY project to Pinterest so you can make it when you have time!
more fall DIY inspiration
- Pinecone Flower Wreath
- Make a Fall Wreath
- Halloween Wood Bead Garland
- Rae Dunn-Inspired Candles
- Create a Paper Leaf Garland
items to help you complete this project
If we could not find the exact item, we listed something similar for your convenience!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Super excited about the way these came together, Donna! They’re really beautiful. I love that you kept the stems from last year too – that is totally genius. Loving and pinning as always sweet friend, CoCo
Thank you so much CoCo! I’m super excited about how they turned out too! I think the real stems are perfection! Hugs, Donna
These pumpkins are seriously stunning Donna! Well done friend!
Thank you, Maria! I thought they turned out beautiful and I’m super excited about them! Take care, Donna
These pumpkins are beautiful Donna! Thanks for sharing the details on how to make them!
You’re welcome, Kimberly! They were really fun to make! Blessings, Donna
I can’t wait to get out the mod podge and my faux pumpkins. This is genius!
Thank you, my friend! They were so fun to make, you really should do it!! Have a great weekend!
What a beautiful take on pumpkins! I wouldn’t have imagined it. Love your style.
Oh, Rachel, you are so sweet! Thank you for that wonderful compliment! You can create some amazing things with napkins and Mod Podge! Have a great day!
These are gorgeous. I have done some in the past and have more blue and white on my list to do now. Love the styling.
Thank you, Rosemary! I have seen some beautiful blue and white napkins that would make amazing pumpkins! Have fun with your upcoming projects! Blessings, Donna
I LOVE your creative post, taking a pumpkin to a very “glamourous” centerpiece. I’ve actually done the same type of project in the past, but you’ve really nailed it. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Wow! I appreciate your kind words! I enjoyed making elegant pumpkins for a change! Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Omgosh! I absolutely love these Donna & Rich of course. I love how refined they are but with a bit of rustic with the stems. love, Love, LOVE!!! I will be saving my stems this year. Genius! Thanks for the inspo friend & Pinning. XO- MaryJo
Yes, be sure to save those pumpkin stems! I thought they made the pumpkins look so special!! Have a fabulous week!
These pumpkins came out so beautiful! I love how you added the real stems. You have me convinced to save all my real stems this year! Wonderful job. Pinned!
Hi Meagan! I think the real stems added such a special touch to the pumpkins! I highly recommend saving your stems for next year! Thanks so much and have a wonderful holiday weekend!
These are so elegant. Thanks for sharing with us at Create-it link party.
Thank you Janet! See you at your party!
I’m featuring you this week when the next to Grandma’s house we go link party starts! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you sharing our decoupage pumpkins! I’ll see you at the party!
They are just beautiful! Thanks for joining in on Home Matters Linky Party! I will be featuring your post this week! #HomeMattersParty xx
That’s such great news! Thank you for the feature and for hosting such a fun party! See you there!