About nine months ago, I hosted my first craft party for my girlfriends and swore I would start doing them every season. We all even continued to text ideas back and forth as the months rolled by, but I simply never pinned down the right craft or the right time. But when fall started creeping up on us and Michael's started filling up with all the fall decor, I knew my pumpkin-spiced self could wait no more.
The idea is simple. Everyone gets a pumpkin and decorates it. No model, no one-size-fits-all, just a pumpkin and your creativity. Although these pumpkins are normally $19.99, I waited until they were 60% off and pounced at them for $8 a piece. Each guest gave $10 per pumpkin to cover the cost of materials (and booze), so it ended up being pretty inexpensive.
I set up a Facebook Event and got to inviting and posting some inspiration from my Pinterest board. So many cute ideas, from Halloween candy bowls to sweet floral centerpieces for Thanksgiving.
Many of the ladies were drawn to a white pumpkin that read, "Give Thanks" in gold vinyl, so I cut out a few vinyl stickers from my Silhouette ahead of time. A friend also requested a vinyl sticker with her family's last name.
I brought out my supplies: acrylic paints, brushes, Sharpie markers, sequins, glue gun...
And I used this craft as an excuse for my newest craft tool: the hot knife!
Apparently you *must* have one of these to make easy cuts on these foam pumpkins. I'm not totally convinced it was necessary, but it did make lovely cuts that went very smoothly. Some used it to cut the top off so they could fill the pumpkin with flowers, others carved faces. I might use it again to carve a leftover foam pumpkin into a Jack-o-lantern with my little guys. And for $11 at Michael's (using a 40% off coupon, of course!) it didn't break the bank.
Apparently you *must* have one of these to make easy cuts on these foam pumpkins. I'm not totally convinced it was necessary, but it did make lovely cuts that went very smoothly. Some used it to cut the top off so they could fill the pumpkin with flowers, others carved faces. I might use it again to carve a leftover foam pumpkin into a Jack-o-lantern with my little guys. And for $11 at Michael's (using a 40% off coupon, of course!) it didn't break the bank.
I wanted to get everyone pretty fake flowers to choose from, but man they are not cheap at the craft stores! I found some surprisingly adorable fake foliage at the Dollar Tree to fill out the supplies, and they turned out to be great.
I mean, LOOK at this little acorn detail! Adorable!
You guys, the pumpkins that came out of this event were just gorgeous! Everyone ended up doing at least two. Some of my favorites were sprinkled with sequins and glitter. But the "Give Thanks" pumpkins with flowers were a real show stopper. For $10 in materials each, these are a knock out. I wasn't too sure about the vinyl sticking to the pumpkins since the surface isn't flat, but the vinyl transferred really well AND the lettering looked great once it was on!
Now to plan next's season's craft night. I'm really going to stick to doing one per season! Any ideas for a Christmas craft?
