DIY: Ikat Pumpkin

In honor of Halloween, I have a fun DIY pumpkin project to share with you!  My creative friend Caitlin painted the gorgeous ikat pumpkin below, and is sharing 4 easy steps to recreate the design yourself:

What you need:

 1 pumpkin

3 colors of acrylic paint

small (thumbnail sized) angular flat brush

large poly foam brush

small poly foam brush

1. Select a color (I chose white) and paint the entire pumpkin using the large poly foam brush. Depending on the color you choose, you may have to apply two coats.  Allow these coats to dry completely.

2. Next, pick the color you want for your diamonds- I chose teal! Use the small poly foam brush and "dab" vertical lines in the shape of a diamond. Once you have made the diamonds, go back with just a little bit of paint on your sponge and fill in/mess up the inside.  You still want to be able to see the vertical lines around the edges, but the inside should be blurred or filled in a bit.  Allow your diamond paint to dry completely.

3. Take the angular flat brush & load it with your third paint color (I used gold).  Use the flat edge (not the point) to "dab" random little splotches on the edges and points of your diamonds, still following the vertical line pattern of the diamonds. This should not be too planned or perfect...just go sparingly at first, you can always add more later!

4. This is completely optional, but I used the gold pain on the stem and brushed a bit around the base of the stem in a "burst".

And... wa-la!  You have a fun + festive pumpkin to decorate with!  If only all Halloween decor were this chic.  Thank you, Caitlin, for sharing your process with us!