I’m so excited to have a guest paint lover to share with you guys today!!!
Do you guys know Jennifer at the The Magic Brush Inc.? She is a professional faux finisher and she shares the amazing projects she creates on her blog… LOVE it! If you haven’t been to her blog before… you need to check her out!
So take it away Jennifer…
I am so honored that Maryann would ask me to do a blog post! Since fall is my favorite season and I love to decorate for it, I thought I would do a tutorial on painting your pumpkins in gaudy gold! Last year, I did this post on how I gold leafed some pumpkins for fall. They were so pretty, but they just took too much time. 
So this year, I decided to take a short cut and bought a can of metallic spray paint from Hobby Lobby. It’s Krylon’s “Gold Metallic” paint and is $6.99 a can. Ouch. But I did spray 6 pumpkins and have plenty of spray paint left! 
Brace yourself for my extremely high tech “pumpkin-holder-upper”. I used a kitty litter container, but you can use anything slim enough for your pumpkin to sit upside down on. Also note how I carefully protected my husband’s lawn with a Hobby Lobby sack (not). There wasn’t any over-spray other than on the container, so I didn’t get into trouble! 
I always paint the bottom of the pumpkin first. That way if I wait the recommended 17.4 seconds to let the paint dry before I flip the pumpkin over…..at least the top was done LAST and is still pretty (note: you really should wait longer than 17.4 seconds for your spray paint to dry). 
I tape off the pumpkin stems because I like them to remain unpainted. So tape, then paint, then remove the tape immediately. 
And viola….gaudy, gold pumpkins. 
Something anyone can paint…. 
Here is my handy work on my front steps. In the morning light they glow…. 
In the shade, they aren’t quite so blinding. 
I know someone will ask “how does that spray paint hold up outside?”. My answer is “I have no idea”! Haha! Sometimes paint is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. The can DOES say “for indoor/outdoor use”. It also says a clear coat will add durability, but will dull the metallic….so I didn’t use one. I can tell you that after 10 days, my pumpkins have some dark “speckling” on them…. 
But I think that just adds to the charm! So spray away. And enjoy this gorgeous time of year. Stop by my Magic Brush blog sometime and say hello. Thanks again Maryann!
So this year, I decided to take a short cut and bought a can of metallic spray paint from Hobby Lobby. It’s Krylon’s “Gold Metallic” paint and is $6.99 a can. Ouch. But I did spray 6 pumpkins and have plenty of spray paint left! 
Brace yourself for my extremely high tech “pumpkin-holder-upper”. I used a kitty litter container, but you can use anything slim enough for your pumpkin to sit upside down on. Also note how I carefully protected my husband’s lawn with a Hobby Lobby sack (not). There wasn’t any over-spray other than on the container, so I didn’t get into trouble! 
I always paint the bottom of the pumpkin first. That way if I wait the recommended 17.4 seconds to let the paint dry before I flip the pumpkin over…..at least the top was done LAST and is still pretty (note: you really should wait longer than 17.4 seconds for your spray paint to dry). 
I tape off the pumpkin stems because I like them to remain unpainted. So tape, then paint, then remove the tape immediately. 
And viola….gaudy, gold pumpkins. 
Something anyone can paint…. 
Here is my handy work on my front steps. In the morning light they glow…. 
In the shade, they aren’t quite so blinding. 
I know someone will ask “how does that spray paint hold up outside?”. My answer is “I have no idea”! Haha! Sometimes paint is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. The can DOES say “for indoor/outdoor use”. It also says a clear coat will add durability, but will dull the metallic….so I didn’t use one. I can tell you that after 10 days, my pumpkins have some dark “speckling” on them…. 
But I think that just adds to the charm! So spray away. And enjoy this gorgeous time of year. Stop by my Magic Brush blog sometime and say hello. Thanks again Maryann! 
So what have you been painting?
Power of Paint Party Rules:
This is a PAINT party… so pretty please, link-up only paint related projects. I HATE deleting!
Please put my nifty POPP button (you can find this in my menu bar “Button” link) in your blog post or a link back to this party somewhere on your blog… that way others from your blog can check out all the paint projects too.
I love the color you picked! Your pumpkin is so cute — thanks for hosting!
Thanks so much for hosting the party. I love,love,love your metallic pumpkins!!
Thank you so much for hosting this great party! I finally actually have something paint related to link up!
Vanessa
I follow the Magic Brush. She is awesome. Love the gold pumpkins.
Adorable! I spray painted pumpkins this weekend too!
Thanks for hosting!
Hi Maryann, your post about your front door basket floral design inspired me to try one on my own. I'm not very good but it turned out okay. It's in my September post, titled "sucksalotplunker" Floral Design.
Thanks for such a great site and blog party
Thank you Maryann for having me!!!!
They look great Jen! The last couple of years I've painted my pumpkins in metallic paint too. I don't think it made a difference at all in whether or not they rotted faster or stay preserved longer. The pumpkins rot no matter what but they last for quite a long time…like weeks before they do.
Your porch looks amazing!! thanks for the post, and the link to a new blog! Can't wait to go check it out.
xo, cass
Love your blog and all your great ideas and alerts. I've been know to unabashedly copy many of your ideas as I've been following for a while. I have a dilemma today though. I have recently viewed a blog post, made a mental note to go back to it, then forgot which blog I was on. So, my question is have you recently posted a blog about a new rug in your kitchen? Thanks.
Just discovered your linky party today! How fun! Thanks for hosting.
I really like the idea (and look) of leaving the stem natural!
I don't know why but for the second week in a row the get thumbnail submission is buried behind the you might also like. Yours is the only site where I have this problem.
Pam @ Becolorful
Jennifer~ I love your painted pumpkins! And your porch is beautiful, too! Thanks for sharing your technique! I will definitely be visiting your blog!
Maryann~ Thanks so much for hosting this paint party!
Have a great day!
Blessings,
Jenni
{Beautiful Nest}