Pressed Leaf Pumpkin
INSIDE : Learn how to create the most beautiful Pressed Leaf Pumpkin to set out on display in your home this Fall season! By using dried flowers and dried leaves, you can make organic designs on real or faux pumpkins. The perfect calming craft Autumn activity for all ages!
This post may contain affiliate links. See full disclosure here.
There isn’t much I love more than leaves and plants and flowers. So being able to combine those with pumpkins in the Fall time is pretty much my very favorite thing! I love pumpkins and Fall, but I am not a huge fan of spooky and creepy.
Adding pressed flowers and dried leaves to pumpkins is a fun way to celebrate the season in a way that feels festive and fall to me! I mean, how beautiful are these green and white pumpkins.
I have done so many creative pumpkins over the years. A few of my favorite are the Bean Pumpkin, the Garden Flower Pumpkin, Felt Pumpkin, and a Paper Pom Pom Flower Pumpkin.
Now let’s get into how to make these flower decoupage pumpkins!
Decoupage
Decoupage is a decorative art technique that involves gluing items to a surface. I remember first doing decoupage in high school – cutting out magazine pictures and adhering them to a shoebox! You can decoupage to things like shoeboxes, wood, glass, ceramic and even pumpkins.
Once your items are in place, you simply paint over them with several layers of the water-based/glue adhesive. After the decoupage dries, it should become clear and your items are stuck right where they were placed!
Popular brands of Decoupage glue and sealer
These are numerous brands of decoupage, Mod Podge probably being one of the most popular one. Here are a few other examples…
- Aleene’s: Known for their wide range of adhesive products, Aleene’s offers various types of decoupage glue and sealer.
- Elmer’s: Another well-known brand, Elmer’s provides decoupage glue with different finishes.
- Martha Stewart Crafts: This brand offers a variety of craft supplies, including decoupage glue and sealer.
- Mod Podge: Available in various finishes, including matte, gloss, and satin, to suit different project needs.
- Krylon: While primarily known for spray paints, Krylon also produces decoupage glue and sealer.
- Rust-Oleum: This brand offers a range of protective finishes, including decoupage glue and sealer.
Looking for another fun Fall Leaf project? Check out my DIY Oversized Leaf Backdrop post.
Supplies to Mod Podge Pumpkin
- Pumpkin (real or faux)
- Pressed Flowers
- Pressed Leaves
- Mod Podge
- Paint Brush
- Tweezers
- Scissors
How to decoupage a pumpkin with pressed flowers
Using decoupage on a pumpkin is such a fun and simple way to really give your pumpkin a whole new look with very minimal effort.
Check out below how easy this afternoon craft project can be! I found it to be so calming to work on.
Prepare the pumpkin
Whether you are using a real or fake pumpkin, make sure to clean your pumpkin thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. You don’t want to accidentally mod podge dirt onto your pumpkin!
Design your pumpkin
Use a pencil to lightly sketch out your design on the pumpkin or on a piece of paper. This can be a simple pattern, a detailed scene or just a random arrangement of flowers (which is what I did).
Arrange the Pressed Flowers and Leaves
The next step is carefully arranging the pressed leaves onto the pumpkin, following your design.I found these delicate leaves broke easily, so it was very helpful to use tweezers when positioning them.
Apply Mod Podge
Once you’re satisfied with the arrangement, it’s time to secure the leaves to your pumpkin. Apply a light coat of Mod Podge on the pumpkin in the area you are placing the leaf and then stick the leaf on. I like the look of matte mod podge better than a glossy finish, but you can use what type is your preference.
Make sure to apply another coat over top of the leaf or flower. This will help to secure them to the pumpkin and protect them from coming off.
Let the Mod Podge fully dry before applying additional coats. Some of the leaves are fairly fragile – so too much painting over them, I found, will rip them.
If you notice one of your leaves is a bit more stiff and doesn’t seem to lay down flat on your pumpkin, apply several more coats of Mod Podge to sort of soften the leaf a bit. Once it feels a little more pliable, you can then paint it down to the pumpkin easier.
The number of coats you need will depend on how much protection you want for your pumpkin. I found just one to three coats over the leaves or flowers was plenty.
Pressed Flower Pumpkin
Don’t be afraid to try different arrangements. You can create simple patterns or intricate designs. Consider using a variety of pressed flowers to add texture and color to your pumpkin.
I loved using pressed daisies on my green pumpkins. The contrast of the white against the green was so beautiful.
The more thin and delicate the pressed flowers, the easier they are to work with. Queen Ann’s Lace was another flower that looked really lovely on the pumpkins.
By following these steps and incorporating your own creativity, you can create a beautiful and unique Dried Flowers on pumpkin that will be a cherished addition to your seasonal decor.
Looking for more creative pumpkin ideas? Check out some of these!