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30 Days of Painted Pumpkins from the MSLO Staff

By Alexandra Churchill
Digital Editor
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Polka dots, chalk lettering, geometric stencils, and familiar characters—there are 30 ways to decorate a pumpkin, and all you need is some paint to get started. Be inspired by handmade designs from the crafty minds at Martha Stewart Living.

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    1 of 30

    Stained Glass Windows

    A jewel-toned, geometric masterpiece.

     

    Name: Ellen Rogoz

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Stained glass windows

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint Tape
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake, Magenta Rose, Cloud, Wild Blueberry, Yellow Gold, and Mermaid Teal
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts Paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

    Instructions

    • Using paint tape, tape an overlapping pattern on the pumpkin.
    • Paint inside each taped area with a color that does not match the areas next to it.
    • Let your paint dry, then slowly peel back the tape to reveal the fun pattern and orange lines.
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    2 of 30

    Chalk Paint Pumpkin

    A matte finish that's flat-out spectacular.

     

    Name: Anna Teal

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: The chalk paint trend really inspired me to create my elegant floral pumpkins. I just love the matte chalk finish and the large stencil designs! They match my decor perfectly.

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Sailor Blue, Pear, and Smoke
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Blossom Stencil
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Brush
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Clear Wax

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    3 of 30

    Glitter Pumpkins

    Of course, everything is better with glitter.

     

    Name: Mike McCooey

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Glitter inspired my idea to create this scary-chic pumpkin.

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Beetle Black
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in Matte
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Basic Brush Set
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Gold Glitter

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    4 of 30

    Falling Leaves

    Autumn-inspired silhouettes add simple charm.

     

    Name: Plaid

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Falling leaves

     

    Materials Used: 

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Adhesive Stencils in Leaves
    • Pouncer
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

    Instructions

    • Adhere the leaf stencil to the pumpkin and pounce the inside of the stencil with Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake.
    • Slowly peel off the stencil and adhere to a new spot on the pumpkin.
    • Continue until the whole pumpkin is covered in leaves!
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    5 of 30

    Spiders and Webs

    Creepy, crawly, and ultra-cool.

     

    Name: Mandy Patterson

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: My spookiest icons of Halloween are spiders and webs, and I wanted to create them in Erasable Liquid Chalk.

     

    Materials Used: 

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Chalkboard Paint in Black
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Erasable Liquid Chalk
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Detailing Brush Set
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Large Brush Set

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Swipe here for next slide
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    6 of 30

    Chalkboard Paint

    Paint a menu for the spookiest Halloween yet.

     

    Name: Debbie Henley

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: My love of entertaining inspired me to craft this simple and functional chalkboard pumpkin.

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Chalkboard Paint in Black
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paper Stencils in Patterns and Shapes
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Foam Pouncer Set
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Basic Brush Set
    • White chalk

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    7 of 30

    Typography Pumpkin

    Dark and spooky -- just like we like our Halloween pumpkins!

     

    Name: Mandy Patterson

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: I love the art of typography, and what better words to use than the wonderful, spooky phrases of Halloween?

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Chalkboard Paint in Black
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Erasable Liquid Chalk
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Detailing Brush Set
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Large Brush Set

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    8 of 30

    Metallic Polka Dots

    We're seeing spots and loving it.

     

    Name: Laura Consiglio

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: A wall I saw with metallic polka-dots decorating it, and my love for glitter! 

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in Gloss
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Gold and Orange Glitter
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Basic Brush Set

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    9 of 30

    Abstract Expressionist Art

    Sophisticated designs inspired by some of the greatest artists of our time.

    Name: Lauren Murphy

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Abstract Expressionist artists -- Pollock, Rothko, and Franz Kline

     

    Materials Used: 

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Plum, Peacock Feather, Diving Board, and Slate Gray (Pollock)
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Pumpkin, Habanero, Orange Soda, and Party Streamer (Rothko)
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Beetle Black (Kline)
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Basic Brush Set (all)

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    10 of 30

    The ’80s

    This totally rad pumpkin would fit right in with a "Breakfast Club" group costume. Just sayin'.

     

    Name: Allie Donnelly

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: The ’80s

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Beach Glass, Poodle Skirt, Date Night Pink, Lightning Bug, Ballet Slipper, Hydrangea Purple, Pacific Iris, and Diving Board
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Swipe here for next slide
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    11 of 30

    Vintage, Weathered Furniture

    If you like a rustic finish, this is the pumpkin for you.

     

    Name: Samantha Perlman

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Vintage, weathered furniture

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Cantaloupe and Terra Cotta
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Clear Wax
    • Sandpaper

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    12 of 30

    Herringbone

    If you're a fan of menswear patterns, try this herringbone design in your color combo of choice.

     

    Name: Erica Dagley Galea

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Herringbone for pattern, and her own wedding colors for palette

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Arrowhead and Chamomile
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    13 of 30

    Glamorous Spider

    This glam pumpkin dons a blinged-out spider that's too chic to be scary.

     

    Name: Rachel Stewart

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: A glamorous spider

     

    Materials Used:

    (For spider)

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Pearl Paint in Pink Taffeta
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Glitter Paint in Sweetheart
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Gem Stickers
    • Martha Stewart Crafts ribbon

     

    (For pumpkin)

    • Martha Stewart Crafts High Gloss Paint in Beetle Black
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Gem Stickers

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    14 of 30

    Skeletons

    A skeleton with a devilish grin is just the thing your front porch needs this Halloween.

     

    Name: Melissa Stemple

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Skeletons

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Beetle Black and Wedding Cake
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    15 of 30

    Gilded Tile

    A golden homage to gilded design.

     

    Name: Gabrielle Lewin

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Gilded tile

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Metallic Gold Craft Paint
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Swipe here for next slide
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    16 of 30

    Preppy Monograms

    Channel your varsity days with this pink monogrammed design -- with glitter on top.

     

    Name: Amanda Klecker

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Preppy monograms

     

    Materials Used:

    (For pumpkin body)

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Chalkboard Paint in Raspberry Ice
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Erasable Liquid Chalk
    • Chalkboard alphabet stencils

     

    (For pumpkin stem)

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in Matte
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Holographic Glitter

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    17 of 30

    Decoupage Dots

    We're seeing spots -- and loving it.

     

    Name: Emily Eibel

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Layering Punch in Scalloped Circle
    • Tissue paper
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in Matte
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

    Instructions

    • Using the layering punch, cut out scalloped and regular circles from the tissue paper.
    • Apply a layer of Decoupage Finish to the pumpkin and place the circles on the glued surface in an overlapping pattern.
    • Apply a second layer of Decoupage Finish over the tissue paper to seal.
    • While Decoupage Finish is drying, paint the stem with Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake.
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    18 of 30

    Optical Illusions

    What's black and white with stripes and dots all over?

     

    Name: Emily Archer

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Optical illusions

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Beetle Black
    • Foam pouncers in various sizes
    • Paint tape

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

    Instructions

    1. Start by pouncing circles on one side of the pumpkin, with the largest pouncer in the middle of each ridge. Pounce smaller circles as you go up and down each ridge of the pumpkin.
    2. While the dots are drying, tape the other half of the pumpkin to create uniform thin lines.
    3. Once that side is taped, use the pouncer to apply a thin coat of paint over the taped area.
    4. Carefully remove the tape to reveal your stripes.
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    19 of 30

    The Cheshire Cat from "Alice in Wonderland"

    Oh, that grin. This modified take on a classic children's book character is just purr-fect.

     

    Name: Diana Chen

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: The Cheshire Cat from "Alice in Wonderland"

     

    Materials Used: Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Beetle Black, Wedding Cake, and Peacock Feather

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    20 of 30

    Marble Look

    A modern, marbleized look for the style-oriented pumpkin crafter.

     

    Name: Ellen Rogoz

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Marble

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Metallic Yellow Gold
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Sea Sponge

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Swipe here for next slide
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    21 of 30

    Mossy Monster

    This creepy gourd would fit right into a haunted house setting.

     

    Name: Hosanna Houser

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Mossy monster

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Charcoal and Eucalyptus
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Chalkboard paint in Gray
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Acorn, Highland, and Snow Pea
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Brush
    • Sea sponge
    • Brush

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    22 of 30

    Elizabeth Taylor

    A bejeweled design inspired by the White Diamonds icon herself.

     

    Name: Kaitlin Dunn

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Elizabeth Taylor

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in Matte
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage Finish in High Gloss
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Metallic Craft Paint in Sterling
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Liquid Gilding in Gold
    • Printed images of jewels

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    23 of 30

    Day of the Dead

    Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that occurs the day after Halloween -- and these sugar-skull-themed designs were created in honor of it.

     

    Name: Janet Stein

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: My travels to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and their traditional Day of the Dead celebrations

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Craft Paint in Porcelain Doll and other assorted colors
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Pearl Craft Paint in assorted colors
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Foam Pouncer Set
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Stencil Tape
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Tribal Large Stencil (for the eyes)
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Basic Brush Set

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    24 of 30

    Summer Citrus

    If you're nostalgic for summer, craft a pumpkin that's anything but autumnal.

     

    Name: Kaitlin Dunn

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Already nostalgic for summer citrus!

     

    Materials Used: Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Date Night Pink, Pink Dahlia, Love Bird, Marmalade, Meyer Lemon, Pollen, Spring Pasture, Scallion, and Wedding Cake

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    25 of 30

    Dotted Pumpkin

    Polka-dots and colors that pop make this pumpkin a showstopper.

     

    Name: Megan West

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Dotted pumpkin by artist Yayoi Kusama

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Beetle Black and Pollen
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes and pouncers

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Swipe here for next slide
  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    26 of 30

    Snack Time

    Cookies, doughnuts, pizza -- you might need a juice cleanse after painting this pumpkin!

     

    Name: Molly Baker

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Snack time

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Wedding Cake, Yellow Gold, Date Night Pink, Lightning Bug, Habanero, Pacific Iris, and Snow Pea
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    27 of 30

    The Globe

    What a beautiful world -- and what a beautiful pumpkin!

     

    Name: Ruth Feldman

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: The globe!

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Paint in Pond, Bubblegum, Pesto, Indigo, Couscous, Purple Yam, Chestnut, Sweet Potato, Chamomile, Acorn, Date Night Pink, Lime Zinger, Hydrangea, Wild Blueberry, Ballet Slipper, Pacific Iris, Marmalade, and Granny Smith
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    28 of 30

    Gilded Subtly

    Beauty can be understated, as this pumpkin proves.

     

    Name: Leslie Robertson

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Gilding

     

    Materials Used:

    • Martha Stewart Crafts Liquid Gilding in Copper
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    29 of 30

    Tragic Ice Cream Cone

    Don't cry over spilled ice cream -- admire it instead!

     

  • Photography: Mike Krautter
    30 of 30

    Candy-Dispensing Pumpkin

    Present goodies to trick-or-treaters in this creative pumpkin "server."

     

    Name: Emily Eibel

     

    Pumpkin Inspiration: Wanted to make a candy-dispensing pumpkin

     

    Materials Used: 

    • Pencil
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Craft Knife
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Brush
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Paint in Antique Sky and Eucalyptus
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint in Sweet Potato and Gray Wolf
    • Sandpaper
    • Soft cloth
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Vintage Decor Clear Wax
    • Assorted Martha Stewart Crafts paintbrushes

     

    To shop supplies, visit michaels.com/marthastewart

     

    Instructions

    1. First, outline the shapes of the face you want to cut out with a pencil.
    2. Carefully cut into the pumpkin with the craft knife, following the shape of your outlined face.
    3. Once you have the shapes cut out, paint a layer of Vintage Decor Antique Sky.
    4. Paint the inside of the pumpkin with Martha Stewart Crafts Sweet Potato Paint.
    5. Once the layer of Antique Sky is dry, paint a coat of Vintage Decor Paint in Eucalyptus on top.
    6. While the Eucalyptus layer is drying, paint the stem of the pumpkin with Gray Wolf.
    7. Once the outer Eucalyptus layer has dried, lightly sand the surface to reveal some of the lighter color beneath.
    8. Apply Vintage Decor Clear Wax with a soft cloth to finish the pumpkin with a matte chalk finish.
    9. Once wax layer has set, fill with candy!
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