How to Make a Decoupage Pumpkin Centerpiece

A beautiful and elegant decoupage pumpkin centerpiece that will be the showstopper on your Fall or Thanksgiving table.
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If setting a Thanksgiving table intimidates you, you need this decoupaged pumpkin centerpiece in your life! It's easy to make, inexpensive and is sure to wow your guests! I'll show you step by step how to accomplish this beautiful centerpiece and tips for filling it with real or faux florals.
Tip: Now is a perfect time to purchase supplies for this project as they're all on serious discount at the craft stores!
 
I'm thrilled to be joining several talented DIY and home decor bloggers to share our Thanksgiving ideas and inspiration with you! Thanks to my sweet friend  Laura of Decor to Adore for hosting this Grateful Gatherings round robin. If you hopped over here from Yvonne at Stone Gable, a special welcome to you!

If you're new here, I'm Cindy, a 10-year veteran home decor blogger, and I love to share my DIY and craft tutorials and home ideas with you to show you how to create a beautiful home no matter your budget!

How to make a decoupage pumpkin centerpiece 

I recently shared some tips for creating faux brown transferware pieces to add to your Fall or Thanksgiving table or hutch when I showed you how I set my table with mismatched dishes.


The pumpkin I'm sharing today beautifully matches the pieces I already created, because I'm using the same napkins. I found these napkins, they're the Woodland pattern by Spode. The turkey and the brown pattern was so perfect for this beautiful pumpkin centerpiece!


Supplies you'll need to decoupage pumpkin:

  • medium white craft pumpkin (I used one I found at Michaels)
  • napkins of your choice
  • Mod Podge or any decoupage medium in matte
  • rubbing alcohol
  • pencil
  • X-acto knife
  • scissors
I tried to link to the pumpkin I bought but couldn't find it anymore on the website. Now that Christmas decor is out in stores, all the fall and Thanksgiving will be drastically marked down, so now is a great time to shop for discounted supplies!

Step 1 - Cut top off pumpkin

I traced a jar lid with pencil, then used my Xacto knife in an up and down sawing motion to remove the pumpkin top. I had a few rough bits, so took a few minutes to smooth the edges down with sandpaper.

Step 2 - Cut napkin

I chose to cut the edges from my napkin and decoupage the strips around my pumpkin. Depending on the napkins you're using, you may choose to go another direction. Just remember to remove the extra ply (there's usually 2 extra) from your napkin so you're working with just the design portion.

Here's a decoupage tip

I mixed my matte Mod Podge with a little bit of water to thin it out. This way, rather than having to brush Mod Podge onto the pumpkin, lay down the napkin, and apply more decoupage medium, I cut out that step!

I simply laid my napkin strip where I wanted it and brushed on the watered down Mod Podge right on the top of the napkin.

In no time at all I had 8 strips of napkin decoupaged onto my pumpkin. Now I turned to the faux greenery and florals.


I used stems of faux blackberries I already had, as well as some creamy white dahlias, beige baby's breath and a stem of eucalyptus.

Helpful Tips: I cut the eucalyptus into small sections, as well as bent the long stems of the other florals so they would fit nicely into my pumpkin. Then I simply tucked everything in until it looked right.

Note: You can use fresh florals too! Place a glass or mason jar of water in the middle of the pumpkin so your stems stay fresh longer!


This DIY pumpkin centerpiece was the perfect addition to my Thanksgiving table!


CoCo from The Crowned Goat is next on the tour, and I know you're going to be inspired by her Thanksgiving table ideas! I encourage you to visit all the additional Thanksgiving ideas linked here.

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Comments

  1. Absolutely beautiful! Such a clever idea. Blessings to you.

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  2. Cindy I absolutely adore this gorgeous centerpiece. Such a clever craft. It truly is the perfect finishing touch for a lovely table.

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    1. Thank you Laura, I know it will be a piece I enjoy pulling out each season! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. I love your decoupage pumpkin. It looks so elegant and so perfect for your table. Your floral arrangement is stunning also. I haven't done anything with decoupage in years, so I enjoyed the tutorial.

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    1. Thank you Marty, hope I inspired you to try a new decoupage project! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. I've tried this with smaller pumpkins but never even thought to try a big one for a centerpiece. This is such a beautiful idea! I love how it looks like transferware too. It's so pretty! Hope you and your family have the best Thanksgiving, CoCo

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  5. Hi Cindy, your Spode "transferware" pumpkin is perfect for a Thanksgiving centerpiece and flower container. Such a lovely table with your neutral placesettings! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

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  6. Your pumpkin project is so pretty and is the perfect centerpiece for your table. Thanks for the tip about thinning the mod podge. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  7. How cool that you found napkins to match your dishes! Great tip for just brushing the decoupage onto the napkin front when applying! Beautiful table setting. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your sweet family!

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  8. Well you certainly fooled me. I thought you had a fancy ceramic pumpkin. Very clever.

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  9. This is totally genius! I've always wanted brown transferware but can't afford it! I wonder if the napkins would show up on clear glass plates? Maybe keep the white part of the napkin? Thanks for sharing this. Love love love it! Happy Thanksgiving friend.

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    1. Thank you Cindy, I've never tried it on clear glass so not sure how it would look. Let me know though, if you do it!

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  10. How lucky to find Spode napkins with the perfect pattern! I love your pumpkin centerpiece Cindy! Such a smart smart project with beautiful results!! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  11. Cindy, your decoupage pumpkin centerpiece is so beautiful! What a clever and creative project! The Spode napkins are just perfect! Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy Thanksgiving!

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