I finally had a free day where it wasn’t 100-degrees outside to tackle my fall porch decorations. I have wanted to add mums and pumpkins to the porch, but when it’s unbearably hot out, it’s pointless. The mums would have died, and the pumpkins would have turned into pumpkin pie. We finally hit our streak of decent weather, and it doesn’t look like we’ll be going back up anytime soon. That called for operation fall to commence! I had a few little DIY projects I wanted to tackle, and I was excited about dedicating a day to that. Between building the new house, a ton of upcoming travel, and other little things going on in life, I was happy to have a day where I didn’t have to focus on anything other than painting a pumpkin. We all need those days! Today, I’m going to share what I’ve been DIY-ing this fall!
I saw that our local nursery had mums on sale for $5.99, so I had to take advantage of that. I finished up a few things for work and then headed over there to pick out new mums and pumpkins! I picked out six new mums in different colors and four pumpkins! I wish I could say I was finished, but I’m heading over there today to grab a few small ones to fill in the gaps.
I still have a few projects I want to do before we’re too deep into fall, but yesterday, I tackled the plaid pumpkin (i still have four more to paint!) and my plank sign for the porch. I did learn that I have zero patience when it comes to painting, so next time I’m going to put on a good podcast and take my time on the lines. But if you’re standing far away, my plaid is on point.
My mom wants me to do some teal plaid pumpkins for her porch, so that’ll be a fun project for the weekend. I thought painting plaid would be complicated, but it was rather easy, other than controlling my patience. It’s a super inexpensive project you can do that’ll add so much character and detail to your porch. When I walk by my house, the plaid pumpkin stands out, and I love how it looks with all of the mums and orange pumpkins.
The first thing you’ll need is a pumpkin!
You can get a real one or a fake one! I am going to use the fake ones the next time I paint the plaid because I want to be able to use them next year. I don’t want to put myself through the painting process again (even though it’s simple.) I bought paper mache pumpkins at Hobby Lobby that I’ll use to paint the rest of the plaid pumpkins.
The first thing you’ll want to do is spray paint the pumpkin white, or use chalk paint/acrylic paint. You can leave the stem natural, or paint it a color! I’ve seen some people paint it gold.
When the white paint has dried, use gray paint to run lines down the pumpkin. You can make them any size you want.
Use the same gray paint to run lines around the pumpkin like a checkerboard.
Wherever the lines cross is where you’ll make a black square! This will give you the plaid detail.
I finished my pumpkin off with a burlap bow that I bought at Hobby Lobby! Even though my painting job is questionable, I love how it turned out.
The next project I did was my easy fall plank sign!
I found this plank board at Hobby Lobby for $12.99, bought paint markers, and wrote my favorite fall things down the boards! There was nothing to it, but I love how it looks. It’s super subtle, but adds a fun touch to my porch! Now, I’ll need to work on making a Christmas one.
Another little project I did recently was this knock-off of Kirkland’s monogrammed pumpkin! I was shopping at Kirkland’s and loved this pumpkin, but didn’t want to pay $40 for it. I decided to paint a paper mache pumpkin orange, paint on a letter, and add the bow! Now, mine isn’t as nice as the one from Kirkland’s, but I’ll take a $6 knockoff! I also did a quick make-shift garland for the fireplace with these gingham leaves, fabric pumpkins, and twine! I bought all of those materials from Hobby Lobby for under $8!
Questions for you!
- What is your favorite color of mums?
- Have you done any DIY this fall?
- Do you like carving pumpkins?
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
You are truly talented at decorating, Taralynn! 🙂 I love the cosy fall feels – a little cheesy, but hey, it’s fall, we’re allowed to go crazy! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Never cheesy 😆 but thanks so much! Love this time of year!
Ahsley says
You’re so creative, great job! No DIY this year for me, but I do enjoy decorating for fall.
My favorite color mums are the deep pinky purple ones and white.
I carve a pumpkin or two every year with my husband and kids. So much fun.
Taralynn McNitt says
Aww thanks, Ahsley!
OHHHHH love those colors!!!
April says
It’s a good idea to use artificial pumpkins instead of real ones, because pumpkin farming isn’t totally eco-sensitive. I can’t recall any hard facts, but I’ve read some articles that discourage it. Might be ok if you’re buying locally grown pumpkins, though. Maybe look into that. Another eco-sensitive idea for artificial pumpkins is using cardboard/cardstock pumpkins instead, if you can find them. Just a thought, no judgement!!
I love mixing mum colors, personally!! A little more visually interesting to me.
No DIY projects yet, but I’m in Texas and it’s still 90° out. Haha! We have a cold front coming through this weekend so I’ll probably start after I get back from my trip to the Ozarks. Hopefully the leaves are changing there! LOVE the planks! Probably gonna nab your idea. I also love all of the things about fall that you put on yours 🙂
I typically carve or paint pumpkins with my kids every year right before Halloween. It’s a fun activity to do altogether and now that my kids are older they get really creative. My son broke his finger, though, so we might stick to painting. Ha!
Happy fall and congrats on all the fun news in your life!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, April!
I usually use paper mache pumpkins for my fake ones, but I didn’t know pumpkin farming wasn’t eco-sensitive? I usually love buying my pumpkins local to help out the businesses. You learn something new every day lol
I love mixing them too!
Hopefully it’s cool in the Ozarks!
Ohhhh no, a broken finger sounds horrible! Hope he heals up quick!!
Ashley says
Oh my goodness, these decorations look amazing!! I really love your sign, now I want to make one! Your mums are gorgeous too, what a great deal. 🙂 Most of the ones I’ve seen are still around $17.
https://www.makelifemarvelous.com/
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Ashley! 😊
Try to see if you can find them local! We are lucky to have a ton of farms around here!
♥️
Maureen says
I love ALL the mum colors! This year I’m favoring a deep pink (not quite burgundy or deep purple, still really being) and white, but probably because I started decorating early this year.
I have not DIYed yet, but I’d like to make a fresher fall wreath than the one on my door right now, so I’ll definitely be looking into that over the long weekend.
Yes I love pumpkin carving! I’m pretty terrible at it, so I’m hoping my husband will help me. My birthday is close to Halloween, so that’s usually what I ask him to do with me to celebrate: hot cider & pumpkin carving tutorial night. 😂 This post has empowered me to try my own monogrammed pumpkin, so thanks!!
Happy Fall, Taralynn!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Maureen!!
The fall wreath project is so much fun! I hope you get around to it.
That sounds like the most perfect birthday celebration!!
Harriet says
Awesomeness! Your plaid pumpkins and sign are so cool. I love all of the autumn colours. My favourite colours of mums is the burnt orange shade it’s beautiful. Haven’t done any diy but might start a new painting this weekend for a friends Christmas present. I have never carved a pumpkin, but I think it would be a fun project. Have a great weekend!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Harriet!
I love how you’re getting ahead of Christmas gifts now!
Carving a pumpkin is messy, but it’s fun!
Cheryl says
Really love what you did with the Buffalo Check Pumpkin. I like the red mums. Also your pics always look amazing!
What camera and lens do you use?
Savannah says
The pumpkin look adorable!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!
Katie Meshko says
Looks SO cute!! I love how you painted the pumpkins. My favorite color mums is the purple ones <3
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Katie! I’m totally team purple!