~create a paint by number pumpkin~{& BIG news}

Today I am linking up with some very crafty blogging friends to bring you a
parade of pumpkins! These pumpkin ideas are meant to inspire you to think outside
the box while decorating for Halloween this year, and for years to come.



Check out this cute denim pumpkin here by Between Naps On The Porch.

A word search pumpkin from Karianne at Thistlewood Farm.

Pumpkins made from drop cloths here at City Farmhouse,

and doorknob pumpkins here at Finding Home.

Are you ready to see mine?

I have been dying to do a paint by number project, so I thought, why not try it on a pumpkin?!

I started with this darling picture of my niece Lyla:

You can choose any photo, but the easiest ones are the close up ones of faces, pets, objects, etc.
If you want to start by trying out something easy, a leaf would be a really cool idea. I still may make one of those.

Ok, now go to PicMonkey here.

Click on edit a photo and then select your photo that is saved to your computer.
Once your photo is up, look at the left hand side of the page. The second symbol down is a magic wand
looking thing. Click on that. This will bring up the different effects. Scroll down until you see "posterize."
It has yellow sunflowers in the background. Click on posterize. Once you click on that you will see that your photo turns
magically into what appears to be a paint by number. Here is where you can mess with the number of colors. I think I used about
11 colors in mine. Here is what my photo looked like after I "posterized" it.

Here is a side by side comparison:

Save your finished image to your computer, then print it out adjusting it to the size you need.
{this depends on your pumpkin size}

The first thing you need to do is select a large pumpkin with a fairly flat front surface.
Tape off your stem with painters tape.

Then spray paint your pumpkin white. You can use white primer, or a spray paint
that will cover and stick to any surface.
Once that is dry, you can take off your tape and bring the pumpkin inside.
Draw a large circle with pencil on the front of the pumpkin and paint it a different
color, in my case I chose light blue. You can free hand this, or use a pattern. I traced a salad plate onto
my pumpkin.

While that is drying you are going to need to select your paint colors.
I have misc. craft paints, so I just took the photo I printed out and matched them as close as I could.
Then, just like original paint by number kits, you are going to number your paints: 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.
I also found it helpful to then, using pencil, write the numbers onto my photo. This made the
painting process all the much easier.

Here you can see where I did just that.

Scribble pencil all over the backside of your photo. See yesterdays post for clarification and that process. Then tape on and trace over it.
Since the pumpkin isn't totally flat, it won't lay on perfectly, but you can get it close.

Once you are all done tracing the design on, take the paper off, but save it so you can refer back to it while painting.
You will be left with pencil marks.

I laid out a garbage bag on my counter and then put 11 plastic lids on top of it.
In each one I put a bit of the paint and with a sharpie wrote the coordinating number next to it.

Pick a number and start painting away!

Here is my finished pumpkin!

And now, if that wasn't enough :)
I have some super exciting news!

I am partnering with Bombay Company to commemorate their one year site re-launch anniversary!

From now through October 8th you can save 15% on your order with the coupon code

SAVANNAH15

on the Bombay site. Discount will be reflected at checkout.
This coupon code is good off EVERYTHING, even sale and clearance!
This is a one time only special and can only be used once.

I am placing my order soon and cannot wait to share pictures of my purchases with you!

I am very honored that Bombay wants to share this with all of you. Please take a moment to see if there is anything
you like while this discount is available. Remember, it's only available until the 8th. Please click here to
take you to their site!

Here's a few of my favorite images from Bombay!

I am so excited it's pumpkin season!!!
Have a great day friends!