I love fall decor that can live the whole season long. Nothing too “spooky” or too “thankful–just the right amount of autumn that gives me that warm and cozy feeling. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite fall decor pieces I’ve ever made. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with these book page pumpkins that are an easy and inexpensive naptime craft!
DIY fall decor
I don’t know about you, but lately life has been so full for me! I was realizing the other day that it has been WAY too long since I crafted something. Between home, kids, and this blog, I haven’t had a lot of time to be creative.
So when I was in the dollar store and saw these cute little pumpkins sitting there I thought to myself, “okay self, there must be something cute and simple I can do with these pumpkins do get out of my DIY funk.” So after a minute of standing there I had an epiphany and headed a couple aisles over to pick up the one other thing I would need for this project, a book.
book page pumpkins
This is not the first time I’ve used a dollar store book for a craft project. It really is a great place to pick them up if you’re in need of a book and don’t have any old ones laying around you feel like ripping up. Trust me, I get it. I’m very anti-ruin a book.
materials needed:
- a foam pumpkin
- book pages (one book was more than enough for two pumpkins)
- Mod-Podge
how to make book page pumpkins
Simply tear skinny strips of the book pages and apply with Mod-Podge with a paintbrush. I used matte Mod-Podge, but you could use glossy if that’s the look you’re going for. Note that the first layer is not going to stick super well to the pumpkin, but as soon as you’re sticking paper to paper, it is a lot easier to adhere down.
| Read: DIY Map Pumpkins |
Once I was done with my layers and my pumpkins were dry I took some watered down black paint and painted between in the creases of the pumpkin using a dry brush technique. This helped the features of the pumpkin stand out a little bit more.
I felt so good to be making something again, and I love the way they turned out! They were a little time consuming because of how many layers of paper it took, but definitely not a hard project at all, which is always something I enjoy. I also love that they can be kept out all season long so I can enjoy them awhile, not just through Halloween.
Have you made anything fun for fall lately? Or have you been taking an unexpected crafting hiatus as well?
36 comments
Great idea! These came out so good. We bought those same foam pumpkins. Mason used two of them to put those reusable silly pumpkin faces on. With the 3rd one we made the face and then stuck dum dums suckers in the top. It is kind of a candy dish and also looks like the suckers are the pumpkins hair. It was fun!
What a cute idea, I love it! I’ve done suckers in a real pumpkin before, but it’s such a better idea to use a fake one!
I LOVE this!!!! What a great way to upcycle!
Thank you so much Erin!
These are so cool! I didn’t know how simple it was. I think it’s a little project I can do with the kids, they love getting messy and helping of course! Haha.
Thanks! yes, it’s so fun and simple to do with kids. 🙂
These are adorable! I need to hit up the dollar store more often!
Love going there for books when I need pages for a project like this. 🙂
This is such a cute idea! It seems easy enough for me, too!
Definitely, and the kids would probably love to help too!
I’m definitely not a great with diy projects! Is this like paper mache? (sp?) haha I love it! I’ve been trying to decorate for fall more and this is a fun idea that my little one could help me with.
Yes, it’s just like paper mache, it’s so easy!
What a fun, simple DIY. I’m a major book-lover, so I always love crafts that use books. 🙂 I’m thinking of making some of these and then putting them on top of my bookcase…or somewhere.
I think they would be adorable on a bookcase! I have a couple on my mantle right now. 🙂
Great idea! I’m going to try this. So inspiring.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Leila. 🙂
These are so cute! I love the way they turned out! <3
Aww, thank you so much sweet friend!
I love this so much! This is such an awesome project. I think I’m going to see I try this with my daughters this weekend.
Oh good, I hope you guys have fun! 🙂
This is such a great idea! I love how they came out.
I have never seen this fun idea before! Such a fun alternative to carving.
These came out so cute, and you can’t go wrong with dollar store crafts!
Thank you so much, and I agree, when it’s that inexpensive you can’t lose!
Dollar store book! How smart! These look so cute… I’m definitely a fan of the white-toned fall decorations this year.
Thanks! And me too, I feel like if you go with more neutrals they’ll last the whole season instead of being overly Halloween-ish. 🙂
These are darling, Justine! Pinning 🙂
Oh I love these! They are so cute! I love using vintage pages for things like this!
I agree, book pages make some beautiful projects!
This is such a cute idea. I love the book pages instead of the bright orange pumpkin.
Wow, these pumpkins turned out great! Love this!
Aww, thank you so much!