Posh Squash

Living with others makes it tough to find common ground when trying to decide on the ideal way to decorate for the fall. Some love to show off their space with expressive jack-o’-lanterns and plastic skeletons, while others are content with a classic leaf arrangement and gourds by the front door. This DIY pumpkin decorating will please the entire house, and keep everyone on their crafty toes.

BY GRACE ZIEMKE PHOTOS BY COLBY CALDWELL

PAINTED PUMPKINS

You will need

Black paint Fall-colored paints (red, burnt orange, gold, white, light yellow) Variety of paintbrushes

Instructions

Cover the pumpkin in black paint. The background helps to make all the other colors pop.

Use your creativity to create a design unique to you on the pumpkin. Try using different paint brush widths, textures, and patterns!

Let dry for 2-3 hours.

LEAF DECOUPAGE

You will need

Mod Podge

Paint brush

Pumpkins

Soft leaves

Instructions

Collect 5-8 leaves from the yard and lay out a pattern on the pumpkin. Find leaves that are flexible and won’t break apart as they form to the pumpkin.

Coat a designated area of the pumpkin with a layer of Mod Podge, then do the same with a leaf, front and back. Place the leaf down on the Mod Podge-d area of the pumpkin.

Continue this process until your arrangement is complete and set.

Let the pumpkin sit overnight to dry.