DIY Dollar Store Pumpkin Makeover

I saw this little plastic jack-o-lantern (below) at the local dollar store recently. It was shiny and kind of cheap-looking, and the inside had a flashing green light. This pumpkin needed a makeover, or else it would be doomed to spend its life being appreciated only one night a year, on Halloween. So, as if it was a stray kitten that needed a home, I lovingly rescued it!

The first step was to paint it pink. I used my favorite DecoArt Multi-Surface Satin Acrylics, which spread onto plastic like butter. A good, creamy kind of butter. Not the kind that’s a bit too cold, because you forgot to take it out of the fridge in time and now your guests are attempting to butter their bread with difficulty yet keeping their poker faces in tact. 

What made me instantly happy – or #instahappy in Instagram speak – is that with the pumpkin now sporting pink, the flashing light seemed to become a pretty aqua shade!

But I wanted to enjoy this little guy for the entire Fall season, not just for Halloween, so I decided to make the back the front!

Now I have a pretty pink pumpkin to enjoy for the entire Fall season!

And I can turn it around and use the “other” front for Halloween!

I love the slightly shabby look with the netting scrap and vintage button, the retro style with the colors and glitter, and the glam of the glittered leaves.

Most of all, I really love how this newest pumpkin mixes right in with my other wooden, glass and ceramic pumpkins!

Have you started decorating for Fall yet? That’s on my project list for this weekend!

Happy crafting!