Throw Back to My Chalk Painted $1 Pumpkins

Hi everyone! Yeah, I know it has been awhile and honestly I had not planned to be gone so long. Recent events namely Hurricane Harvey added to my extended absence. Two weeks ago at this time we were preparing for Harvey to come ashore at a Cat 4 and NOBODY had any idea what was in store for us. We accumulated approx 50 inches of rain in a matter of a few days causing catastrophic flooding in many areas around Houston and along the Texas/Louisiana coast line. It was like  nothing we had ever experienced and we have been thru several hurricanes over the years. Our hearts broke watching hundreds of thousands of people loose their homes and towns decimated. 

My family well we were spared. Neighborhoods just a few miles from us were not so lucky. It still brings tears to my eyes and honestly I am still having dreams about it all. Watching those in Florida trying to evacuate from Irma keeps the feelings fresh from Harvey. I pray and will continue to pray for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and any other states in Irma's path. My biggest piece of advice is to remember that everyone is going thru it together! Show love, compassion and kindness and be sure to be patient! One thing I continuously saw from Harvey's destruction around my great city is God's love. Neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger. If Harvey has taught us anything it is that God's love is still very strong!

This week we have fabulous fall like temperatures! It has part of me wanting to bring out the fall decor. At the same time part of me feels guilty that I am able to still decorate. Then there is a part of me that knows others enjoy seeing what I come up with and know it brings a little joy their way.  Over the past few days I have started putting out a few pieces indoors that I purchased over the last month. Till I decide exactly what I am going to do I thought that I would throw it back to a project from a few years ago. Back in 2014 I had some fun painting pumpkins.

I had purchased several $1 pumpkins from the Target Bargain Bins. I decided that they were too bold and shiny for where I wanted them to go so I decided to paint them using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

I did nothing to the pumpkins at all to prep them for painting. To paint them I dipped the tip of my brush into a cup of water just for a sec and then dipped the tip in the chalk paint. I wanted a thin coat to prevent cracking.

I used several different colors from Old White, Country Grey, Paris Grey and even Chateau Grey to get the look I was going after. For me there was no rhyme or reason to it. I just kept layering the colors till I had the look I wanted. Some coats thinner than others.

The tips were layered as well.

I used some artist brushes I had on hand to add a little brown to some of the creases in the pumpkins and to feather in the tops of the pumpkins. This makes the pumpkins more dimensional and interesting.

The best thing about this project is that there really is no right or wrong way to paint them. You just go with the flow till you achieve a look you love and have fun!

I decided to leave the pumpkins as is and not seal them with wax. I have not had any issues with the paint staying on the pumpkins what so ever.