I am always looking for fun and useful ways to take materials I have leftover from other projects and do something with them. Clutter tends to be the end of my creativity so it is a necessary part of my process to use the excess when I can. Plus, when you can take leftovers and make them into something festive, it’s an extra bonus! Today we take a 4X4 and some branches and make some really fun rustic-inspired fall décor, check out how I did it, in Wood Pumpkin Décor.
Tools Used
DIY Wood Pumpkin Décor
Miter Saw – I used my Skilsaw Miter Saw
Reciprocating Saw – Skil’s 12V is perfect for this!
Hot Glue Gun
Materials Used
DIY Wood Pumpkin Décor
4X4 Wood- Douglas Fir or Pine- Both are fine for this application
Branches
Paint and materials to decorate
Instructions
DIY Wood Pumpkin Décor
This project starts with taking your 4X4 and breaking it down on your Miter Saw. I had an 8-foot board that ended up not being used, but whether you make several or a few is totally up to you. I cut this board down into various lengths to keep it interesting and give it a true “pumpkin patch” vibe.
Next, I lightly sanded these to prevent splinters or cuts while finishing. No need to overdo it, I don’t mind the slightly rustic appearance it can give- just not a fan on splinters for any reason! I used the Skil 20V Sander I reviewed recently, but you could easily do this by hand if you wanted to.
Now we will find some branches for the pumpkin stems- you could easily substitute other things in the mix here, but I tend to find a lot of fallen branches on our property after a good storm rolls through, so they are never in short supply!
Using a small Reciprocating Saw, I cut these branches into smaller pieces to mimic stems. I like this one from Skil is ideal for pruning and small cutting jobs you’ll find around the house. It is tools like these that really give Skil and edge for homeowners and DIYers.
If you are using raw materials like branches, you want to be sure they are dry and bug-free. I put mine in an aluminum tray and baked them at 200 degrees for about 45 minutes. There are a ton of varying suggestions on time and temperature with this so definitely research your material to double-check your times. Make sure they are cooled before proceeding.
The most fun part of this entire project is decorating the wood! You can go a ton of different directions here based on the look you’re going for. I mixed colors and used spray paint to paint these, but you could use a number of options with great results.
Once the 4X4’s are painted you will now attach the wood pieces. I used a dollop of hot glue but you have quite a few options to attach based on what you have on hand.
The last part of this fun project is simply decorating the pumpkins how you want them! My kids got a huge kick out of using plain old Sharpies, but I also mixed in paint, washi tape, and a few other elements to keep in interesting. Display your pumpkins and you’re done!
Wrap Up
DIY Wood Pumpkin Décor
This project is one of those easy and fun weekend activities that are both inexpensive and adds some flair to any home. My kids had a ton of fun joining in and decorating with me too, which makes these decor projects even better! I love that depending on how you decorate them, these are not great for just one holiday, but for the entire fall season! As well, the tools used are staples, making it a great project you can use with just a few tools!
A huge thank you to Skil for working with me on this project! If you missed it, check out the DIY Ghost Decor too! I have been blown away by the launches their brand has seen this year, both their 12V and their 20V line have some real standouts in terms of performance and value. I have no doubt 2020 will bring even more exciting launches for homeowners and weekend warriors to put to use!
Interested in purchasing the tools I used in this article? Check them out here on Amazon! Skil 12V Reciprocating Saw is $99.00 on Amazon with a battery and charger. You can also find the Skil 20 V Cordless Sander for $139.99 with a battery and charger.