This Easy Painted Pumpkin Idea is inspired by Rae Dunn! Painted Pumpkins make fun and simple Halloween Decorations.

Easy Painted Pumpkin Idea

I love the look of Rae Dunn Dishware. The entire line is available at our local Buccee’s and I could spend hours browsing that section of the store.

Since the Fall and Halloween Season is upon us, I decided to turn some inexpensive pumpkins into Rae Dunn Inspired Painted Pumpkins.

This is a simple and easy painted pumpkin idea for Fall that can be used throughout the Halloween and Thanksgiving Season.

For this project, I purchased Glass Pumpkins at my local Dollar Tree.

Craft pumpkins from Michael’s or Hobby Lobby would work well, as would real pumpkins from the Supermarket.

You’ll also need White Chalk Paint (or Acrylic Paint), Black Acrylic or Chalk Paint (I used black vinyl for my Cricut), paint brushes, and the FREE Downloadable Rae Dunn word SVG File in this post.

If you’re painting it instead of using a Cricut, you can print it on cardstock paper, carefully trim/cut the words out, then use that as a painting template. I recommend cardstock because it is sturdier and will hold up better. Regular paper can work, but it’ll be much more challenging.

To begin, paint each pumpkin using the chalk paint and allow to dry completely. I prefer using foam brushes to paint the entire pumpkin.

Don’t have a Cricut? Save up for one, or ask for one for Christmas! I LOVE MINE, and I use my Cricut Explore all the time. Click CRICUT MACHINES to see the various options available. I have a subscription to DESIGN SPACE that I use multiple times each month, and I enjoy the discount on Cricut products too 🙂

The Instructions for this Rae Dunn Inspired Painted Pumpkin that are printable below are for the CRICUT Version.

These are the words included in the SVG File. Click FREE RAE DUNN INSPIRED PAINTED PUMPKINS SVG FILE to download the SVG from DropBox.

Upload SVG into Cricut Design Space and select the file. (At the bottom, click upload, then select image)

If you’re not cutting all the words, ungroup the letters, then select which words you would like to cut.

Select all the letters in the word you will be cutting, then group those letters together.

Resize the word to fit on your pumpkin. Letters for small Dollar Tree pumpkin should be 1 inch tall.

Delete the remaining words.

Weld the words together.

Cut the words on the black vinyl and weed the excess vinyl from around each word.

Place transfer tape over each word and transfer the vinyl to the front of each pumpkin, starting in the middle of the word and pressing outward to adhere the vinyl to the pumpkin.

Press each letter into the pumpkin firmly, then remove the transfer tape.

Repeat the process transferring each word onto a different pumpkin.

Use your creativity! I painted my pumpkins white and used black vinyl because I was aiming for the Rae Dunn Inspired look. However, feel free to paint your pumpkins any color you want and use any color vinyl to make the end results unique and to match your decor.

This Easy Painted Pumpkin Idea is inspired by Rae Dunn! Painted Pumpkins make fun and simple Halloween Decorations. Click to Tweet This Easy Painted Pumpkin Idea is inspired by Rae Dunn! Painted Pumpkins make fun and simple Halloween Decorations.

How do you prep a pumpkin for painting?

I clean all surfaces with a sanitizing wipe, real or artificial, because I am immunocompromised. Since those items can be in short supply in current circumstances (COVID), I will use soap and warm water if necessary. Dry with a soft cloth.

What kind of paint do you use on pumpkins?

I prefer to use Chalk Paint or Acrylic Paint, I find those work best. Puff Paint can be used for detailing.

Can you use markers on pumpkins?

Yes! This would be a great pumpkin craft using markers. You can use a cardstock template or try to free hand the words. If using the marker decorated pumpkin outdoors, I’d also top with a layer of protectant to prevent rain from ruining your creation. I’d probably coat with Mod Podge or an outdoor clear paint sealant.

Can you cook a pumpkin that you’ve painted?

You can, just make sure that the paint is non-toxic and that you cut off ALL of the rind so you’re only cooking the flesh part of the pumpkin. Don’t toss the seeds! You can easily roast pumpkin seeds in a shallow baking pan.

How long do real pumpkins last?

If you are crafting with real pumpkins, you want to make sure you store them in cool, dry areas. Carved pumpkins generally last 4-5 days, if prepped with bleach mixture. They may last longer in colder climates, I’m in central Texas. Whole pumpkins can last a couple of months if prepped with bleach mixture. I typically use craft pumpkins outdoors to avoid drawing the attention of critters and to avoid rot. Plus, they’re reusable each year!

How do you keep a real pumpkin that’s painted from rotting?

Bleach. If I am using real pumpkins vs glass, ceramic, or craft pumpkins, I spray them completely with bleach before I begin crafting. If it’s carved, spray the inside, all the edges, and the outside with bleach mixture. Allow to dry before you begin your craft. The bleach mixture I use is 1 TBSP of bleach for each quart of water. I use glass spray bottles and LABEL them before I fill them.

Yield: 10