Link for supplies: https://walmrt.us/3A7UVkh DIY

There's nothing I love more than getting creative and making my home feel cozy for the changing seasons, especially fall! This year, I decided to tackle a fun and super affordable DIY project: painted pumpkins. It's such a rewarding way to add a personal touch to your seasonal decor, whether you're gearing up for spooky Halloween nights or gathering with family for Thanksgiving. First things first, choosing your pumpkins! You don't need perfectly round ones – oddly shaped gourds can add so much character. Once you have your pumpkins, the first key step for a smooth finish is to carefully remove the handles if they're not secure or if you want a cleaner look. You can use a small knife or clippers for this. Next, give your pumpkins a good wipe down to ensure they're clean and dry. This helps the paint adhere better. Now for the fun part: pick your paint! I love using acrylic craft paints because they're versatile and come in so many colors. For a trendy, rustic look, here's a little secret I learned: you can actually mix a bit of baking soda to your paint (for a matte finish). This gives it a beautiful, chalky texture that looks amazing. Just add a tablespoon or two per cup of paint and mix thoroughly. When you're ready to paint, start with your base coats. I usually paint 2x each pumpkin to fully cover the natural orange color. Make sure to dry in between each coat to prevent smudging and ensure even coverage. Patience is key here! For some of my pumpkins, I ended up doing 3x coats, especially with lighter colors, to get that perfect opaque look. Once your base is dry, it's time to add details! If you're going for a classic jack-o'-lantern look without carving, you can cover mouth & eyes areas with painter's tape or draw them on with a pencil first. Then, carefully paint around them. For more intricate designs, I often sketch out the eyes, mouth & nose directly onto the pumpkin with a pencil before painting. You can use a smaller brush for these details. Don't be afraid to get creative with patterns, dots, or even abstract designs! For Thanksgiving, instead of spooky faces, think about elegant patterns, monograms, or even painting them in sophisticated colors like creams, golds, or deep greens. You can also add decor like faux leaves, small berries, or twine around the stem for an extra festive touch. I even love to incorporate string lights (like the fairy lights you see on my TikTok!) by making a small hole in the back of the pumpkin and tucking the battery pack inside – it creates such a warm, inviting glow for inside decor. Finding supplies is easy! While I linked to Walmart for convenience, you can find craft paints, pumpkins (both real and faux), and decorative elements at any major craft store, dollar store, or even your local grocery store during the fall season. Don't be afraid to experiment with different textures and finishes. Happy crafting!