Halloween decorating is even more fun when you can make something yourself! In this guest blog, Donna from Do Dodson Designs shares how she created a charming wood Jack O’ Lantern that’s full of rustic character. With a few pieces of wood and Dixie Belle Paint, this simple project becomes a festive addition you can bring out year after year.
Follow along as Donna shares her process for creating this playful pumpkin and adding the finishing touches that give it plenty of Halloween personality.
(The following is an excerpt from Do Dodson. Read the full article here.)
Hey friends! Looking for a simple wood craft for Halloween. Create this spookalicious DIY wood Jack-o’-lantern in no time at all. Grab your scrap wood, paint, and let’s get started!
Simple DIY Wood Jack O’Lantern
It always happens! I’m always finishing up one last Halloween project right before the deadline. My fall display needed something sweet but a little spooky to complete it. I have tons of pumpkins, but I wanted a “leaning” Jack-o’-lantern. I guess you could call it a wood sign. It’s not the classic candle-lit kind, but super cute, for sure.
It’s the perfect addition, especially if you have little ones. Cute and a tiny bit scary, all in one, for a quick Halloween decor touch.
SUPPLY LIST:
- scrap wood (standard fence pickets)
- pencil
- jigsaw
- wood glue (exterior)
- wood sander (my fave!)
- sandpaper (180-220 grit) or sanding blocks
- Elderflower SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
- Umber SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
- synthetic chip brush
- artist brushes
How To Make A Wooden Jack O’ Lantern Sign
Let’s grab those wood scraps! Weathered fence pickets are awesome, but seriously, whatever wood you’ve got is perfect!
I used five fence pickets – four for the body of the jack-o’-lantern and one for the stem. Just lay them out and see what you get!
Grab a Sharpie (I’m a Sharpie kinda gal!) or a pencil and draw the rounded top of the pumpkin on each of the four boards. After that, add a curve to both sides at the bottom to make the pumpkin look round.
If you don’t get it the way you want it with your first attempt, try again. You can sand the pencil and Sharpie marks out with sandpaper or paint over them. Don’t sweat the small stuff! I’ve never seen two pumpkins that look the same, so I didn’t create a template for this one. You got this!
And don’t forget to draw the pumpkin stem! Leave the board a little longer than you will need. You can cut it shorter once you see how it fits. The stem will be attached from behind. Trust the process.
Cutting The Wood Jack o’ Lantern Shape
Carefully cut the boards to reveal the shape.
Once all the pieces have been cut, line them up to check for any needed adjustments.
How To Assemble The Wood Jack O’ Lantern
Flip the wood pieces over, keeping them in the desired position. Place the wooden pumpkin stem cutout in the center of the back side of the wood.
Grab two scrap wood pieces (cut about 2 inches shorter than the width of the pumpkin) and glue/screw them onto the wood pieces to secure them together, just above and below the center. You can also use a brad nailer, too, if you like. I think wood screws will hold up better outside, though.
The wooden stem should be sitting on top of the top crosspiece for extra support. Adjust the top cross piece to accommodate the stem before securing it in place.
Sanding The Wood For A Smooth Paintable Finish
To prepare the wood for paint, it’s best to sand it smooth. When using weathered wood, such as I did here, start with a 180-grit and finish with a 220-grit.
Remove any remaining wood dust from sanding before painting.
How To Paint A Wood Jack O’ Lantern
The painting part of this DIY craft project is super simple.
To make my jack o’ lantern look rustic, I dry-brushed on some SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint in the color Elderflower. It gave it that cool, weathered barnwood vibe.
Next, I painted the stem with SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint in the color Umber. I used an artist’s brush to get into the tight areas next to the pumpkin base.
Painting The Jack O’ Lantern Face
Before painting the jack-o’-lantern face, do a quick search on Pinterest for inspiration. I really like this simple look.
Use a pencil to outline the face before attempting to paint it.
To make the jack-o’-lantern look cohesive, use the same color as the stem. An artist’s brush is perfect for fine details and crisp lines.
The Leaning Wood Jack O’ Lantern
If jack o’ lanterns could be adorable, this one would wear the title well. I’m so happy with how it turned out.
This wood Jack O’ Lantern is proof that Halloween decor doesn’t have to be complicated to be fun. We love the handmade character of Donna’s design and how easy it would be to make it your own with different colors, expressions, or finishing details.
Ready for a little Halloween DIY? Pick your favorite Dixie Belle Paint colors, gather your supplies, and create a Jack O’ Lantern that’s uniquely yours. Happy painting! 🎃
For another fun and easy fall project, check out our blog, Easy DIY Wooden Pumpkins.
