How to create a festive pumpkin

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today and I've got Halloween on my mind. 

I picked up a pumpkin sign last year knowing that I would find a way to alter it in some fashion.  When I received my newest tool - the Bench Drill Press - I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I began by using the Delta Sander to remove the varnish like finish on the pumpkin. 

I was quite intimidated when I received the Bench Drill Press, but I couldn't believe how easy it was to use.  Just insert a drill bit, adjust the height of the drill based on the length of the drill bit, line up the item, turn on the drill press and go.

I quickly and easily drilled holes all around my pumpkin!  It was super easy and not at all intimidating.

Once I had all the holes drilled, I painted it with Plaid Milk Paint in Tavern Ale and then dry brushed on FolkArt Brushed Metal acrylic paint in  Brushed Gold.  Finally I dry brushed on FolkArt acrylic paint in Classic Green in a streaky manner.  I was not looking for perfection; in fact, I was looking for imperfection as no pumpkin is perfect!

While waiting fo the pumpkin to dry, I created leaves from Makin'sⓇ clay.  I added texture to the leaves using Makin'sⓇ Clay Texture Sheets, then painted on assorted colors of FolkArt acrylic paints, blending the colors with a baby wipe. 

I adhered the leaves to the pumpkin top along with raffia.

I adhered mesh along the bottom edge of the pumpkin and mixed in some raffia.  Then I inserted the lights in the holes I made.

What do you think?

I am definitely using the Drill Press again and have lots of projects in mind.