Halloween Crafts: Stenciled Pumpkin

In Random Recast, I find new ways to upgrade the ordinary things in our lives. And this week, it's all about pumpkins.

If you're completely new to stenciling but have always wanted to try it, this filigreed pumpkin is the perfect starter project. After all, pumpkins are cheap and plentiful, making them very forgiving canvases. (It's easier to chuck a messy-looking pumpkin than to paint over a messy-looking wall.)

You certainly are not expected to start with an intricate filigree design like the one shown here. Instead, pick up a few stencil sheets in a more simple design (I'd go with a diamond pattern) from the craft store. Then, transfer the design to a sheet of wax paper. (Doing this will create a flexible stencil that can be taped to the pumpkin's curved surface.) Next, cut out the motif using a craft knife. Once finished, tape the wax paper stencil to the pumpkin, working in a small section at a time.

To stencil, simply take a flat-topped stencil brush and dip it in gold acrylic paint. Dab away the excess. Then, pressing the stencil against the pumpkin as tightly as possible, brush on the color using a "pouncing" (up and down) motion. Once dry, remove the stencil. Repeat until the motif is complete.

Want to catch up with this week's Random Recast: No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas? Here you go...

Thumbtack Studded Pumpkin
Argyle Pumpkin Made With Tape
Decoupage Pumpkin Using Dictionary Pages
Glam Glittered Pumpkins

Flickr photo by apium