Hey everyone, it’s Do Dodson from Do Dodson Designs! If you’re looking for fun and easy DIY fall decor, you’re in the right place. Today I’m excited to share with you a project that started out with my Grands… and ended with me alone with my paintbrush of course. Kids! These 4X4 wood pumpkins are the perfect rustic complement to any front porch for fall.
To start with, you’ll need 4X4 wood posts. These wood posts aren’t hard to find and are commonly used for building privacy fences. I’ve had more than one neighbor rebuild their fence over the last few years in my neighborhood. They were more than happy to have me haul them away. You don’t have to buy new and it’s best if they have weathered and are dried out. To clean them up before you start your 4X4 wood pumpkins project, give then a quick sanding. Watch out for splinters!
* Warning… these pressure treated posts are treated with chemicals to make them last longer outdoors. Therefore, if you need to sand them off a bit, be sure, and use protective eye wear, mask, and gloves in a well-ventilated area.
Materials List:
- Random 4X4 wood blocks (staggered lengths)
- Chalk Mineral Paint (Barn Red, Daisy, Colonel Mustard, Butter Cream) or colors of your choice
- Best Dang Wax (brown) for shading the corners
- Paintbrushes
- Foam Dobber (for circles)
- Art Brushes (for striped design)
- Drill
- Paddle Bit or spade (to drill holes for the stems)
- Tite Bond Wood Glue
- Twine
- Hot-Glue Gun
How To:
Step 1:
Firstly, choose your colors. We decided that we didn’t want the traditional orange (you know I have to be different) so we mixed a few colors we had on hand. Barn Red, Daisy, and Colonel Mustard to create a softer version of orange.
Feel free to experiment and come up with different colors. Layering similar colors on top of each other will give your 4X4 wood pumpkins depth and interest. Who wants boring pumpkins? I created a few shades by adding a bit more of the red paint.
Step 2:
Next, add a whimsical touch to your wood pumpkins. This is where the kids ditched me! To add a bit of whimsy to your 4X4 wood pumpkins, use a foam dobber to create random circles on one of the pumpkins. The other one, try adding some classic stripes. Don’t worry about taping off for straight lines, unless you’re a perfectionist. If you are, go with another design like a classic look of one color. It’s your pumpkins so do what you like.
Step 3:
Next, drill holes for the pumpkin stems. For this project, I drilled holes about 1-1/2 inches in the top of the 4X4 wood pumpkins with a paddle bit. The size of the bit is determined by the size of your stem. You’ll want it just a bit larger than the stem you chose to use. The stem does not have to fit perfectly.
For more information on this darling fall decor, head on over to Do Dodson Designs here!
