I am so excited to bring you another fabulous pumpkin craft today, friends! This time I am showing you how to make your own concrete pumpkins. They are cute, they are weatherproof, and they are a whole lotta fun!
Last year I showed you how to make concrete pumpkins using Cementall and thick tights. I loved the way they turned out. So much that I wanted to try another way of making them to add to my collection. So this year I am showing you how to make your own concrete pumpkins using plastic forms.
The results are equally awesome as the textured ones. And now I have two styles of concrete pumpkins that I love! Some that are sweater textured and fall fabulous. And others that are perfect for Halloween. So grab your plastic pumpkins and a trowel and let’s get crafting. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Make your Own Concrete Pumpkins
If you have never worked with concrete before you may be a little hesitant to try it. But I am here to tell you that it is pretty simple and definitely worth it in the end. I have used concrete many times in my crafting so I have learned what works and what doesn’t. And now am able to pass that knowledge on to you so you can get it right the first time!
When my friend Julie and I made our concrete pumpkins last year, we were able to play around with consistency, mold types, and finishing techniques. That experience allowed me to be able to make this adorable new pumpkin style and I can’t wait for you to see the results!
Make your Own Concrete Pumpkins Supply List
- Quickrete Mortar Mix
- 5 gallon bucket
- Trash bag
- Stir stick
- Pumpkin shaped plastic buckets
- Drop cloth or cardboard for easy clean up
- Strong utility knife or tin snips
Make your Own Concrete Pumpkins Instructions
For these pumpkins, I started with plastic pumpkin trick-or-treat buckets that I purchased at Walmart. They can actually be pretty hard to find so keep your eyes peeled when you are out at the shops.
Before mixing my concrete, I very generously spray the inside of my pumpkin forms with Pam cooking spray. This will keep the concrete from adhering to the pumpkin forms and allow for a cleaner release.
Next, I lined a 5 gallon bucket with a tall kitchen trash bag and used that to mix my concrete in. I did not read the directions as I have made other concrete pumpkins before. However you can start with the package instructions to get an idea of the right water to mortar mix ratio.
I can tell you that you want it a creamy consistency. Not too runny, but not too thick and clumpy. Just a nice, smooth consistency.
After I got the mortar mix stirred nicely I started scooping it into the pumpkin forms. I took it clear to the very top. I wanted my forms level so I smoothed out the tops very well. Then put them on level ground to cure.
I let them set for close to 30 hours. Then I began to cut the ribs on the pumpkin to release the concrete forms. I ended up getting a stronger utility knife as my little blade was not doing the job very well. So make sure you use something strong enough to cut through your plastic.
I did not cut the front face part of my plastic pumpkins. I was able to push the concrete out with just cutting the back and side ribs. That way I wouldn’t accidently scratch or mar the faces on my concrete pumpkins.
When my pumpkins came out, they were still cold and a little wet. But they held their shape nicely as you can see. Once they were out in the open air, the curing process started to speed up.
To finish the pumpkins, I used my hand and just rubbed over the surface. This got rid of any loose mortar mix that felt like sand. Some of that debris fell off when I took the concrete out of the pumpkin forms. So use a drop cloth because you’ll have a dusty surface when you release your concrete pumpkins.
Once your concrete pumpkins have cured, it is time to style them. This is my favorite part! For my display, I placed my concrete pumpkins. Then I added some real pumpkins from a local pumpkin farm.
I added a sweet little wreath to the top of my larger pumpkin. I love these wreaths for so many things. In fact I love them so much that I offer them for sale here on the website. You can check them out and snag your own here!
Then I added in some plaster roses. I found these at Hobby Lobby. But I have actually made my own too. They are pretty simple too and you can save so much by making your own. To see how I made the plaster roses, check out the tutorial on my YouTube channel!
The Wrap Up
It’s been 48 hours since I poured the pumpkins. You can see there’s still a little dark, which is a sign of wetness. But they are perfectly solid and ready to go. I love these pumpkins for a lot of reasons. And one is that they are perfectly suited to being outdoors during our wet and cold Ohio fall nights.
If you live in a climate similar to mine, you understand that it can be a struggle to find outdoor fall and winter decorations that look amazing but will also hold up to the elements. These pumpkins definitely fit the bill!
I would love to see how you use them in your own home. So if you post any pictures of your garlands on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!
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