This Dollar Tree Foam Pumpkin Makeover was simple, fun, and will be a nice transition from fall to Halloween. It was super inexpensive to make as well, $1 for the pumpkin, $1 for the ribbon, $1 for the twine plus hot glue, foliage, and moss which I had in the craft stash. The paper bag was free. Even if you didn’t have foliage and moss it could still be done for just $5 if you have the hot glue gun.
The motivation for this one was that I wanted a pumpkin to sit with my Fall Sweet Fall Sign on the end table. It’s intended purpose as a hearth decor piece was just not happening with my toddler and it was looking so alone without some accent pieces.
The Dollar Tree Seasonal House Frame and Dollar Tree Fill-in Arrangement were also created for this purpose.
Unlike those pieces which are meant to be easily changed this is very permanently put together with a whole lot of glue. I think it will be an easy piece to spook up come Halloween with some spiders and a web which will be fun.
You can view a short YouTube Slideshow that quickly shows the process here on my Lovensthelife Channel.)
Ok…..Let’s Create!
Supplies List
- Dollar Tree Foam Pumpkin
- Twine (1 package from Dollar Tree)
- Buffalo Plaid Ribbon (1 spool from the Dollar Tree)
- Foliage of choice
- Spanish Moss
- Hot Glue
- Scissors
- Piece of paper
- Brown paper bag
- Paint (if desired)
Instructions
Paint or not to Paint
You will see in the supplies picture I had started to paint this for another project and changed my mind. The white on the buffalo plaid ribbon is a little sheer so you may want to paint the pumpkin white first. I wanted the orange to show through and actually wish it had showed through even more but the hint will do.
Buffalo Plaid Ribbon
I tried a couple different methods here and on about the third try figured out the easiest way to do this. First, I glued all of the ribbon together before securing it to the pumpkin. I folded the edges of the ribbon before gluing them and then with hot glue I glued enough together to cover the circumference of the pumpkin. It took nearly all of one spool from Dollar Tree. Once I had it all glued together I started gluing it to the pumpkin. Using the hot glue I secured it around both the top and the bottom of the pumpkin.
Initially I was going to make this a temporary piece by using straight pins. I abandoned the idea of straight pins once I started applying the twine. It was just to heavy for the little pins I had. That method could work with longer pins though. I applied the twine in the grooves of the pumpkins all the way around by hot gluing them as I had done the ribbon.
Once the ribbon and the twine were applied I cut a circle out of construction paper large enough to cover the mess. I then glued one down over the bottom and the top (cutting a hole out for the stem). The top will end up getting covered but a flat surface was easier to work with. On the bottom it helps it sit flat and also just has a more finished look should someone pick it up and look at it.
The Stem, Leaves, and Moss
Lastly, I created a stem out of a paper bag and added some leaves and moss. To create the stem I cut strips out of the paper bag and twisted them together. Then I wrapped it up over the existing stem securing it with hot glue. Finally I added a couple leaves and some moss.
Done.
Your Turn to Create
I would love to hear if you gain inspiration from this post and make your very own Dollar Tree Foam Pumpkin Makeover