Monday, September 26, 2011

Pumpkin Topiaries

For three years or more I have been wanting to make pumpkin topiaries for my front porch.  I never did do it!!!  I would always end up putting it off and then it would be too late.  This year, I decided that I was going to finally make those pumpkin topiaries, especially after I saw the pumpkins on sale at Michael's for 40% off.  Educators also get a discount there (15% I believe???).  I got everything I needed for around $50!!! 

Here's the porch all decked out with a little fall decor...I'll be adding some more things soon, though!!!  BTW, I HATE my front door.  My husband bought me a new one for my birthday, but it has to come in.  It will be wrought iron!!!  I can't wait. I almost waited to take the pictures, but I couldn't wait to share!!


I already had the urns (WalMart about three years ago on clearance for $15 each.)  The stories these urns could tell!!  They have been in the house, on the front porch, on the back porch, at the school, at homecoming, at graduation..you name it!  Whatever my ADD has directed, these poor things have had to endure.  I love the shape, the color, everything about these urns.  I believe they were part of the Better Home and Gardens collection at WalMart.

So, here's what I started out with....
I actually have three different size pumpkins, but I forgot to take a picture of all of them. 
Materials I used were:
  1. 2 grapevine wreaths (small) to give a stable base and add depth
  2. 6 white pumpkins (2 small, 2 medium, and 2 large form Michael's)
  3. a little bit of raffia
  4. 1 leaf garland (Hobby Lobby)
  5. 6 acorn/leaves picks from Michael's
  6. one $2.00 glitter orange leaves bush from Michael's
  7. Leopard print sparkle ribbon (Michael's - Christmas section)
  8. hot glue!!!!
Start off by placing the wreath on top of the urn.  Next, take the large pumpkin and fit it snugly into the urn. 
I didn't hot glue mine, it fit just fine. 

Next, take the mid-size pumpkin and flip it over.  Take a regular sharp kitchen knife and cut out the tiny indentation on the bottom of the pumpkin. This is super easy because they are foam.  Do the same thing for the smaller pumpkins that go on top.

At this point, I positioned my pumpkins on top of one another to ensure they fit snugly and didn't need to be trimmed any further. DON'T GLUE IT  YET, just look at it and make sure it works!


 

At this point, I started taking it apart and hot gluing in a little raffia, a portion of the leaf garland (just cut off chunks as you need them), and one of the floral picks.  Repeat these steps for each "layer" of pumpkins. Once I got each layer "right", I would hot glue that pumpkin to the other one.  Then, I just repeated the gluing process again with the raffia, leaf garland, and floral pick. 


To top it all off, I cut off another strip of garland and wrapped it into a small circle for the top.  I just twisted it together and hot glued it on top.  I then made a small bow with the leopard print ribbon for the top and hot glued it in, too!


After you look back at it, you may want to take a few spare leaves and hot glue in here and there just to suit your taste.  I also put some in the grapevine wreath base and added raffia and an acorn leaf pick there as well just to round it out a little.  


I am really pleased at how these turned out.  It didn't take me but about fifteen minutes to make two of them.  SUPER EASY!!!



Can't wait for the new door to get here in a few weeks.  I'm still going to use the same wreath because it matches my leaves on the porch rails and on the topiaries.  LOVE the burgundy/green garland for fall!  One last look....  I'll be adding more.  This is just the start!! Waiting on my cornstalks and burlap ribbon. I'm going to put the cornstalks behind the topiaries for more depth.  Also, the mums will be placed this next weekend!!

Happy Fall, Ya'll!! 




I'm linking up with Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays, Kristens Creations, Debbie Doo's Newbie Party, AND with Liz over at Savvy Seasons for her AUTUMN ARRIVES party!!!!

SavvySeasons.com Autumn Arrives Party


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23 comments:

  1. Farica~
    Beautiful presentation. It says welcome fall all over it! I adore your pumpkin topiaries and thank you so much for the step by step pictures. You are so creative and talented. I love your wreath on the door, too! Well done! XO ~Liz

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  2. Way beautiful...I could use one of those in the yard...and who knows, you may see one of those in my yard!!

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  3. Your fall entry is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing your ideas and talents. Have a great week. Bobbie

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  4. GREAT topiary!!! love. love. love it!! I have thought about trying to tackle that myself several times and have not done it for the same you mentioned. But, you sure make me think harder about it! Beautiful job. blessings ~ tanna

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  5. Farica I love them!! Love them so much I think I might copy them:) Your entrance looks so welcoming! Martina

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  6. Love them! I am going to make some soon! :)

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  7. Farica, I just love your pumpkin topiaries! Your entry looks so festive and welcoming! Love what you've done!

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  8. Farica, the pumpkin topiaries are gorgeous!

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  9. They look FABULOUS, Farica! And, LOL, you're right, we *do* think alike! I love how you added the beautiful garland and bows. I've done pumpkin topiaries at our entry a few years, too ... did them in both white and orange pumpkins this year, just for a change. I can't wait to see more of your festive Fall decor! xo

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  10. Great job, they are beautiful Farica. I love the white pumkins too.

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  11. They are beautiful, I love how you did those!!

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  12. Looks great! You've about (key word) inspired me to get off my hind parts and make some! ;o)

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  14. Love it!! Thanks so much for sharing the "how to" ~ very clear and easy to follow. Your photos are great. Can't wait to see what else you add...this is just gorgeous right now!

    xo
    Pat

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  15. Does not get any cute than this Farica...I love it. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Farica,
    These are soooo cute and I have featured them today at NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY...please feel free to grab my feature button for your blog...thanks so much for coming to my party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  17. So welcoming and beautiful!! Love topiaries, such a great job...you can come over and do mine now ;). Have a great week!

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  18. Hello,
    I visited your blog today - I saw you on 'Savvy Seasons by Liz.' Your blog is so charming, and your Fall decorations are wonderful. I love looking at front porches. You have alot of creative ideas. Me and my daughters started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you. Your blog is so pretty, and I am leaving here today with a smile. Hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  19. Beautiful topiaries! You did a fantastic job. Thank you for the tutorial too.

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  20. Love your pumpkin topiaries! They are beautiful. I have white pumpkins that I am planning to do the same thing with. If mine come out half as beautiful as yours I will be happy.

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