Sunday, September 9, 2012

DIY Fall Porch {Pumpkin Topiary}


I really love to decorate for Fall! There's just something about getting ready for cooler temps, football season,
and the special holidays to follow!

Sometimes all you need is one simple picture to inspire you to create, 
or in this case....duplicate!
My inspiration came after seeing this pic from Southern Living on Pinterest. 
via
I've seen several ideas using REAL pumpkins, but honestly, if I'm going to all that trouble...
I want it to last and be usable year after year!
The craft stores have these "carve-able" faux pumpkins now.
They work great....here's what you need for each topiary:

a small, medium and large carve-able faux pumpkin
a drill with 2 different sized bits
strand of Christmas lights
hot glue
Glitter spray
fall garland with leaves, berries, etc.
sprigs of grapevine

I randomly drilled big and little holes all over the large pumpkin.
 Also, drill a hole in the top, near the stem
for the lights to come through and connect to middle pumpkin.

Drill large holes in middle sized pumpkin...
and top holes for lights.

Drill small holes in small pumpkin...
but leave top and stem in tact!

Thread lights up and through all 3 pumpkins.
Then, begin hot gluing the pumpkins together.
 Finish off with a fall garland, grapevine and a little glitter spray.
I secured the topiaries in my urns with a metal dowel rod...just something to keep it from tipping or blowing over in the wind...
whenever that first coldfront comes in!

  
I also spruced up those urns with a fresh coat of Rust-Oleum Flat protective enamel.  I used this really cool Comfort Grip that Rust-Oleum
gave us at the Haven Conference. Wow...what a difference it made.
It clips on easy and has a trigger that is just as it's named...COMFORTable!!!
 Closeup pic of the topiary with the grapevine, and fall garland.
The first installment of my "Fall Porch" is done!
Painting those front doors is next...
(already painted the inside of the doors and that post is coming soon!) 
If you'd like to see my finished Fall Porch and wreaths, click here,
and to see my post on Fall Porch Lighting, click here.
They look so pretty all lit up....even if it is still 90° outside!
Hurry fall weather!!!!




58 comments:

  1. Such a neat idea. I love all the great pumpkin ideas I've seen on blogs lately. I bet yours looks so nice at night.

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    1. Thank you Brandi! I am so ready for fall!!! Can't wait to keep adding to my porch, then the mantle is next! Appreciate your sweet comment, and I love the way the lights are subtle!

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  2. I love it and it looks great outside your front doors. Isn't fall the best season of all?! :)

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    1. I LOVE fall and couldn't wait to get these up and going!!! Thanks so much Laura!

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    1. Thanks Shenita! It was a copycat project, but I can use it year after year, so worth the trouble! xoxo

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  4. I saw the carveable pumpkins for the first time the other day. I think these are so pretty and I agree, if you're going to go to all the work then it should last a while.

    If you get a chance I would love for you to come link up your tutorial at my Fall Edition Pin Party.

    http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/pintastic-monday-fall-edition.html

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    1. Thank you Sarah for the invite...I'm all linked up! The fake pumpkins are the way to go!!!

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  5. I'm with you, fake pumpkins are much better, and no mess.

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    1. I just discovered them last year...so love that they are carve-able!!! Thanks for stopping by Anita!

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  6. Janis, I wanted to stack some fake pumpkins in my urns this year, but I didn't think about drilling holes in them so that they would be lighted! These are just fabulous, and if I get around to doing mine, I will link back to you. Last year I painted a real pumpkin, and it rotted before Halloween so fake is the way to go!

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    1. I hope you get a chance to make some...you'll love 'em!!! Thanks so much Jane for your sweet comment!

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  7. I love that!!!...I am with Jane and Anita.....the real ones do not last long..so need to gather up some faux ones....I love, love your topiary!!! Can't wait to see what you are doing with your doors...I have mahogany stained doors and it is stained on the inside too...Trying to convince my hubby to paint the inside of the doors white....we shall see.....

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    1. Thanks Shirley!! Trying to spiffy up the outside porch area a bit. I need to paint the wrought iron on the doors too...so much to do...so little time!

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  8. These are so so cute!! I love them so much. I can't wait to give them a try!

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  9. You've really got some wonderful ideas on your blog. These pumpkins look fabulous!

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  10. Love these so cute. Would love it if you would share these at http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2012/09/share-it-one-more-time-party-and.html. What a great way to welcome fall. Beautiful!

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  11. iI have made these with real pumpkins and it was a mess you are so smart to use fake pumpkins! I am totally going to do this. Come lnk up to Centerpiece Wednesday and share this idea with us. It will be up early tomorrow morning so cme on by.
    Karin

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    1. I discovered these fake carve-able pumpkins last year...what a lifesaver!! Can't wait to see yours!! Thanks for the invite...i'm heading over!

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  12. Gorgeous - I've been thinking about making my own topiary! I agree on using the faux pumpkins so you can enjoy these beauties year after year!
    Kelly

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  13. that looks so good, i love this. i wish i could do it, but i don't have any sort of porch or entry. one day, though!

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  14. Fantastic idea to use the faux pumpkins! I'm now following your blog, too.

    Have a great rest of your week!
    Angela

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  15. I think you've convinced me. Faux pumpkins look great, especially with lights. This is an idea I'm going to use, thanks Janis, and thanks for visiting Gwen Moss blog, so glad you liked my spooky post.
    Leslie

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  16. Janis,

    Those are so cute! I think it was a good idea to use faux pumpkins! And now you have them for next year!

    Have a great day rock star!
    karianne

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  17. I saw your inspiration picture years ago on Southern Living and have been wanting to do this ever since. We are moving in 2 weeks but I am going to DO THIS for the new house! Thanks so much for the tutorial!!! XO, Pinky

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  18. Love, Love, Love this idea! I might have to copy it. I always prefer faux pumpkin too for crafts. They last longer. The lights really make it pop. They kinda look like polka dots. I am your newest follower. I hope you stop by for a visit and say hello.

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  19. I am so glad you came by and linked up your Topiary Pumkins ...Just wanted to let you know you have been featured at Share it One More Time. Head over and grab your featured button and I hope you come back and party again. http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2012/09/are-you-in-mood-to-party-share-it-one.html
    Tammy

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  20. These turned out so good! I love that you can use them year after year. I am your newest follower. I wanted to thank you for stopping by Posed Perfection this week and leaving me a sweet comment about the frugal pumpkins made from tp rolls. I hope you'll visit again soon and maybe even follow me back. Have a lovely weekend!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  21. Oh nice! I have been looking for a fun pumpkin topiary tutorial! I also love the thought of having orange, black and white for Halloween but I love that this is something that can last until it's time for Christmas decorations! Thanks for giving me a project for this weekend!

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  22. Hi! I'm your newest follower. I have been wanting to do pumpkins stacked in a pot. I love the addition of the lights. Looks very festive.
    Patricia
    http://topiaryrose.blogspot.com

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  23. Love this ~ I'm featuring it today on my site with full acknowledgement (and links) of you as the originator. If this presents any problem whatsoever please let me know and have a wonderful weekend!

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  24. These are so cool!! Love them! I want to do something fallish now! You are so creative!

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  25. These are just great...fun and pretty at the same time! Thanks for the great tips and directions. Congrats for this tutorial being featured over at "Home Stories A to Z".

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  26. These are gorgeous and fairly easy...I just shared them on my FB page! :) Thank you! I just might try it!

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  27. Hi, hopped over from Cowgirl Up. I love your pumpkin topiaries. I have seen this done, but yours turned out so cute! I just bought and repainted to urns at a yard sale. I planted them for Fall, but thinking. Maybe a change for Halloween. Or maybe, next year. Happy to find you and would love it if you shared with my link party sometime, Share Your Cup Thursday. Now following you.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Your topiaries are fantastic. Thanks so much for the tutorial!

    Linking from Debbidoos,
    Ricki Jill

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  29. This is gorgeous! I love the addition of the lights. Thanks for joining the Countdown to fall Party. I'll be featuring you tomorrow! ~Kim @ Sand & Sisal

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  30. Janis, this is just beautiful! I'm gonna have to learn how to work a drill !!
    JoAnn

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  31. Love, Love, Love!!! Making these for my Thanksgiving decor, thanks to your inspiration :)

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original linky party is open

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  32. Thats just too darn cute!
    dropping by from DIY showoff

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  33. Hi there! I featured you today on Blissful & Domestic! Stop by and check it out!

    http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2013/10/15-fall-porch-ideas.html

    Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic

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    1. Thank you so much Danielle!!! Love all of your fabulous choices! Great roundup!

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  34. Melanie, I found them at Hobby Lobby. I've also seen them in different sizes at Michaels. The stores may be sold out of some of the sizes by now. Good luck!

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  35. How do this do with the rain? I inagine a lot of water pooling? Just trying to think of strategic drilling!

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    1. Most of the rain must've bounced off the pumpkins because we haven't gotten much water inside the topiaries and none caused any electrical issues.

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