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November 1, 2013 ·

Rustic Pallet Pumpkins

Crafts· fall

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It’s not often that I can introduce you all to an Emmy Award Winning news reporter – turned blogger, on my blog! But today I’m excited to have Candace from Vintage News Junkie for today’s Feature Friday! Please welcome Candace to Sand & Sisal!

Happy Friday, Sand and Sisal friends! Can you believe it’s already November?! My name is Candace and I blog over at Vintage News Junkie. I was stoked when Kim asked me to stop by! I am an Emmy Award Winning former news reporter who now blogs full time about my life, my home, and all my DIY adventures. You can read more about me and the slumber party I had with my Emmy Award here!

Candace at Vintage News Junkie

So now that we’re best buds… let’s get to business! Today, I am sharing my cute ‘lil wood block pumpkins. I made them from old pallets I picked up for FREE on craigslist! Kim knows her way around a free pallet or two… remember the ones she had leftover from her New Patio… and that stinkin’ cute Wood Pallet Shark she made!! L-O-V-E!! I love a good free upcycle!

Upcycled Wood Block Pumpkins from Old Pallets by Vintage News Junkie

This project came to be when the hubs and I were making a Mini Picket Fence for our Fall Home Tour. I wanted something grand for the mantel without a grand price! So we ran for the garage and started tearing apart some old pallets we had on hand.

How to Dismantle a Wood Pallet by Vintage News Junkie

It really was that easy and we ended up with a boat load of wood. Most of it was the traditional long boards you are used to seeing, but then there were these big chunky blocks that came from the middle of the pallet. I knew I wasn’t going to toss them, but I wasn’t quite sure where they would end up.

Free Wood from Old Pallets

I kept my thoughts to myself as we began working on our little picket fence… when we cut the tops of the fence posts, I had an ‘ah-ha’ moment! You see that little scrap of wood???

Cut Corners of Old Pallet to Create Picket Fence

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? That’s a pumpkin stem… duh! That’s when I knew the destiny for my chunky wooden blocks.

Cut Wood Pallets to Create Round Blocks

We took the blocks and cut all four corners, to create a sort of hexagon shape.. no wait! 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8.. it’s an octagon!

Make Block Pumpkins out of Leftover Pallet Wood

I painted them shades of blue, green, and khaki. I wanted something different and tried some orange in there, but just didn’t like it. Then I taped off the tops to add opposite color stripes. I like how it ties them all together. Now for those, pumpkin stems…

Use Scrap Wood for Pumpkin Stems

I picked out several of the taller ones… and broke out the twine. I started at the bottom of the stem. Add a drop of hot glue and wrap the stem about half-way up. Then another drop of hot glue holds it in place.

Wrap Twine Around Scrap Wood for Pumpkin Stems

Once the stems were done.. I needed some leaves. I had some faux leaves leftover from our Fall Front Porch, so I snagged a couple of those and an old book.

Use Faux Leaves to Make Book Page Leaves

This part was a little bit tricky, but patience is the key. It’s not going to be perfect, but that’s why I like it!! I traced two leaves per pumpkin. I even grabbed a real one from the front yard that had a pretty shape.

Trace Leaves onto Book Pages

Once all the leaves were cut, I rolled them up in different directions to curl the edges a bit. That gave them a nice 3-d effect.

How to Make Book Page Leaves

I hot glued the leaves on top in different directions and hot glued the stem on top of that… and voila!!

Cute ‘lil wood block pumpkins…

How to Make a Wood Block Pumpkin

Wood Block Pumpkins on Old Scale

Upcycled Wood Pallet Pumpkins
I hope you enjoyed this little upcycle! It was super fun to make! If you like upcycled projects, you may like my DIY Kitchen Shutters. I made them from Ikea Bed Slats! Or perhaps my Burlap Wreath Video Tutorial… nothing beats upcycling a thrift store wreath from the 80’s!!

Thank you so much, Kim, for introducing me to your friends!!

Until next time,

Vintage News Junkie

Follow Candace here: Facebook * Pinterest * Twitter

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Comments

  1. Martina says

    November 1, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    Super Super Cute!!

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 1, 2013 at 3:39 pm

      Thank you so much, Martina!

  2. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

    November 2, 2013 at 2:54 am

    Candace, I love the creative ways you think outside the box! I’m IN LOVE with these lil pumpkins – – and the fact that they’re not ORANGE and perfectly round. And something about that navy and cream striped pumpkin is giving off a real nautical vibe…which makes me want to reach through the computer screen and grab it for our soon-to-be nautical bedroom. I can do that, right? 😉

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 2, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Why thank you, Miss Lauren!! I never thought about it but can totally see the nautical vibe… they almost look like little buoys if you look at them the right way! Ha ha!! I’ll turn my head while you reach in and grab a couple!! I’m sure Kim won’t mind! 🙂

  3. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    November 2, 2013 at 10:24 am

    Great tutorial and I love how your pumpkins came out. Cute idea using the book for the leaves 🙂

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 5, 2013 at 2:04 pm

      Oh, thank you Jessica!! They were fun to make! I have sooo many old books laying around. Some for keeps… and some for crafts!! I work them in whenever I can! Glad you like them! 🙂

  4. Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker says

    November 2, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    These are just adorable-I love them!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 5, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      Thank you, Melissa! So happy that you like them!!

  5. Laura @ The Turquoise Home says

    November 2, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    Ooohhhh, I’m a sucker for anything made from a pallet … especially something I’ve never seen before! Such a creative idea, Candace! Thanks for sharing!!

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 5, 2013 at 2:06 pm

      Yay!! Thank you, Laura. I had never seen anything like them before either… but i just couldn’t toss those little blocks! I’m hoping to make some snowmen for Christmas… wouldn’t that be so fun!! Stack three… add some arms… I can’t wait!! 🙂

  6. Jamie says

    November 4, 2013 at 12:03 am

    Unbelievable! I love rustic pumpkins. Great job 😉
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

    • Candace @ Vintage News Junkie says

      November 5, 2013 at 2:07 pm

      A girl after my own heart, Jamie!! I love rustic too!! So glad you stopped by!! 🙂

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Kim WilsonWelcome to Sand & Sisal: where love of home and sea meet! I share tutorials in DIY, decorating, crafts, gardening, & recipes.  [READ MORE]

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