• Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
      • Advertise
      • Privacy Policy
  • Shop

The Wood Grain Cottage

  • Seasonal
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Project Gallery
    • Remodeling
    • DIY Projects
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Sewing
    • Gardening
    • Recipes
    • Organizing
  • Home Tour
    • Our Current House
    • The Original Wood Grain Cottage
Fall· Seasonal Projects

Concrete Pumpkins

September 16, 2013

It’s felt like fall lately… the temps have dropped and the days are getting shorter. You know what that means, right?

It’s pumpkin season!

Today I’m sharing a project I originally shared over at Fox Hollow Cottage. Exciting news!! I’m a new monthly contributor (pinch me, please!) and I couldn’t wait to share my latest pumpkin project: Concrete Pumpkins!

I love texture and these pumpkins don’t disappoint!  They also bring such a lovely contrast against regular pumpkins.

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Here’s how to make them:

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

You’ll need:

-Portland Quikcrete

-Sphagnum Peat Moss

-Perlite

-Water

-Plastic Pumpkin

-Cooking Spray

-Plastic Wrap

———

Start by mixing equal amounts of portland quikcrete, peat moss & perlite.

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Then, add enough water to make a wet cottage cheese-ish mixture… Technical, I know!

Mix well.

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Cut a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin…

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Then cover the face of the pumpkin with plastic wrap. Hold in place with a strong tape. I used duct tape.

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

Spray the inside of the pumpkin with cooking spray…

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

Start filling with the concrete mixture, packing it as tightly as possible.

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Let the pumpkin dry at least 24 hours and then remove the plastic wrap.

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

Allow it to dry at least 24 hours.

The next day, use snips and and a razor blade to remove the plastic shell.

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

For the next pumpkin, repeat all the steps above…

Concrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

But instead of filling the entire thing, use another plastic container in the center. Be sure to spray it with non-stick spray too.

Conrete Pumpkin by The Wood Grain Cottage

After 24 hours, remove the center container and let it sit another 24 hours before removing the plastic shell.

Once the shell has been removed, let the pumpkins sit at least 72 hours to a week to fully dry and cure.

If you want, lightly paint the eyes and mouth. Sand to distress.

See, they’re easy! But so worth it!

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

Concrete Pumpkins by The Wood Grain Cottage

I absolutely love them! They look aged and time warn and I adore the chippy and crumbly look. They’re also very sturdy and heavy, so I imagine they’ll last as long as I want them too!

They look perfect with fall mums and pine cones and I can’t wait to spook-ify them for Halloween!

It’s beginning to look a lot like fall around here… and I’m excited about the change!

Here’s to fall!

Shayna | The Wood Grain Cottage

Linking up to:

Fox Hollow Cottage

The Inspired Room

So Much Better With Age

The DIY Show Off

The Lettered Cottage

Fox Hollow Cottage

I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

Tagged with: Concrete, Fall, Front Porch, Home Crafts52 Comments

Comments

  1. Deb @Lake Girl Paints says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    Love your blog and projects!!
    Deb

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 10:08 AM

      THANK YOU so much for the Monday morning smile, Deb! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  2. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    Absolutely love this idea and your execution! They are darling. So smart too. A craft that will last and last. Perfect from Fall, through Halloween and all the way into Thanksgiving. You just rocked this so hard girl :))))

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      Awe- Shannon! THANK YOU so much! You’re right, they’re definitely going to be used from the beginning of fall alllll the way into Thanksgiving! 🙂
      HUGS!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  3. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says

    September 16, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Love, love, love this!! So cool!!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 2:59 PM

      THANK YOU so much! I love, love, love them too! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  4. April Hoff says

    September 16, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    These are soooooooooo cool!!! Love them, Shayna! 🙂

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 10:59 PM

      THANK YOU so much, April! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  5. Jamie says

    September 16, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    These are amazing! Sharing on my FB page today 😉
    Hugs,
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 11:00 PM

      THANK YOU so much, Jamie! Thanks for sharing too! 🙂
      Hugs!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  6. Dido says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:42 PM

    I love these so much. I love the chippy texture. I am going to have to try it
    Thank you so much for sharing
    Dido

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 11:01 PM

      THANK YOU so much, Dido! I’m so happy you’re going to try them! 🙂
      Enjoy!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  7. M says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    They’re soooooo cute:) Like super cute…love ’em girl!!! You are so darn crafty, Shayna!
    Ok…TOTALLY cute lol;) Blessings & <3,
    M

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 11:01 PM

      THANK YOU so much, M! I’m so happy you like them! Me too! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:46 PM

    Love this project. First of all, where can you find inexpensive plastic pumpkins like you used on the first pumpkin? Second, why do you have to use Sphagnum Peat Moss and Perlite with the concrete?

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 16, 2013 at 11:06 PM

      THANK YOU so much, Erin! I found the pumpkins at Walmart. I bought the pail for $1 and the other was $5. You could probably find one at the dollar store too, but when I was looking they weren’t out yet!
      Also, the peat moss and perlite break up the concrete so it’s not so “solid”. They cause “bubbles” and give the pits and pockets and make that crumbly appearance. You could absolutely just use concrete, they just won’t have the texture.
      I hope that helps! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  9. Susan says

    September 17, 2013 at 4:46 AM

    Shayna great concrete pumpkins and beautiful pictures!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 18, 2013 at 6:40 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Susan! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  10. Stephanie @stellaminded.com says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    Shayna–you’re so talented and I love your home! I’m also sharing on my FB page this morning. Have a wonderful day!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 18, 2013 at 6:41 AM

      THANK YOU so very much, Stephanie! Thanks for sharing on FB too! 🙂
      Have a great day!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  11. Lolly Jane says

    September 17, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    These are too stinkin cute! LOVE them!!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 18, 2013 at 6:45 AM

      THANK YOU so very much! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  12. Krista @ the happy housie says

    September 18, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Wow Shayna! What a funky idea… so cute yet rustic and earthy!! Awesome:)

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 19, 2013 at 7:16 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Krista! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  13. Aimee Schmitt says

    September 22, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    o.m.g.!!!
    these are so amazing! So so so inspired! Going to make some this week!
    (squeal!)-aimee

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 22, 2013 at 8:47 PM

      THANK YOU so very much for the super sweet comment, Aimee! I am so so so glad you’re inspired! 🙂
      Hugs!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  14. Holly says

    September 24, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    Grrrreat idea! Saw your link at Shabby Story. Cute blog!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 25, 2013 at 1:22 PM

      THANK YOU so much, Holly! So happy you found me! 🙂
      Welcome to the WGC!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  15. Layla says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    I LOVE this project, Shayna! DEFINITELY going to give this a try sometime! Thank you for linking up to my party! 😀

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 27, 2013 at 8:45 AM

      THANK YOU SO MUCH, Layla! 😀
      I love linking up!
      -Shayna

      Reply
  16. Sara says

    September 27, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    Has to be one of the best ideas I’ve seen for fall this year, love it!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 27, 2013 at 7:41 PM

      Awe- THANK YOU so much, Sara! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  17. Korrie@RedHenHome says

    September 28, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    VERY cool! I’ve never seen anything quite like them!

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      September 29, 2013 at 8:01 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Korrie! 🙂
      -Shayna

      Reply
  18. Lory says

    October 9, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    This project is very nice and original! I cited it in my Italian Web Site: http://lunadeicreativi.com/blog/20-zucche-di-halloween.
    Thank you, Lory

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      October 9, 2013 at 10:20 AM

      THANK YOU so much, Lory! And thank you for sharing too! 😀
      -Shayna

      Reply
  19. Bethany says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:53 PM

    How cute! This is such a creative idea. I love the little vignette you created with the concrete pumpkin. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Karla says

    October 1, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    Hi Shayna – I love these! I do have a question though- in the pictures of the finished pumpkins the facial features look indented on the solid pumpkin, but in the how-to photo’s it looks like they would protrude. Any further tips on how you achieved the indented looking effect?

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      October 2, 2014 at 8:03 AM

      Hi Karla! Great question! When I was making the pumpkins, I made sure the concrete was filled in tightly around the eyes. Once I removed the plastic mold, I was left with indention’s of the face, even though they don’t really protrude out. I hope that helps! 😀

      Reply
      • Renae meisner says

        September 10, 2015 at 9:28 PM

        I tried this and they looked more like dirt than concrete?! You used equal parts of quick Crete, sphagnum and perlite? Feel like I need much more concrete. I adore these and will try them again! Renae

        Reply
        • Shayna says

          September 12, 2015 at 7:30 AM

          Hi Ranae! So happy you tried them! Try adding in a bit more quickcrete, and mixing, mixing, mixing. I found after making a few other concrete things that the mixing is a very important step, especially with the perlite and moss. I hope that helps!

          Reply
  21. Karla says

    October 1, 2014 at 10:07 PM

    Forgot to say thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Features #26 from Give Me The Goods - So Much Better With Age says:
    September 22, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    […] The Wood Grain Cottage – Concrete Pumpkins […]

    Reply
  2. Fall Decorating Inspiration | The Lettered Cottage says:
    September 27, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    […] Concrete Pumpkins by Shayna at The Wood Grain Cottage: […]

    Reply
  3. 10 No Carve Pumpkin Ideas - Primp Your Pumpkin 2 Features! - Mom 4 Real says:
    October 1, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] pumpkin I cannot get out of my head????  The Wood Grain Cottage’s Concrete Pumpkin!!!  Stop the presses…somebody call the President!  I want one!  You think she will send it […]

    Reply
  4. Twelve Fabulous Pumpkin Crafts to DIY Create Craft and Cook - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    October 1, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    […] everlasting DIY Concrete Pumpkin Tutorial by The Wood Grain […]

    Reply
  5. Twelve Fabulous Pumpkin Ideas to DIY Create Craft and Cook - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    October 1, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    […] everlasting DIY Concrete Pumpkin Tutorial by The Wood Grain […]

    Reply
  6. 31 Days of Fall Inspiration: Pumpkin crafts | The Frugal Homemaker says:
    October 10, 2013 at 12:50 PM

    […] Here’s another idea I had never seen before – concrete pumpkins.  […]

    Reply
  7. Vintage Halloween Decor - So Much Better With Age says:
    October 30, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    […] The Wood Grain Cottage – Concrete Pumpkins […]

    Reply
  8. How To Make Concrete Flower Planter Pots - Fox Hollow Cottage says:
    May 9, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    […] loved sharing my concrete pumpkins with you last fall, and I really loved how they turned out, so I couldn’t wait to make […]

    Reply
  9. Fall Inspiration 2014 - Migonis Home says:
    August 11, 2014 at 3:01 AM

    […] The Wood Grain Cottage takes pumpkins to a new level by making her own concrete pumpkins. […]

    Reply
  10. 100 Fabulous Fall Ideas - The Wood Grain Cottage says:
    September 1, 2014 at 3:01 AM

    […] Concrete Pumpkins are still one of my very […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

Join our newsletter

Search the blog

Join our newsletter

Instagram post 17877687346486071 We are loving the evening glow from our Christmas tree! Today on the blog, I’m sharing all the details on our tree and the different steps and layers I used to create it. It’s such a beautiful addition to our living room. 🎄

#thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #christmastreedecorating #christmas #christmastree #flockedchristmastree
Instagram post 17855703316617271 Happy Saturday! We’re installing more interior doors and trim today! What a big difference it makes! This fixer upper of ours has been making some big progress lately. 😍 
Throwback to my last house... but our new doors will look similar to these! 
#thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #interiordoors #christmasdecor #christmasentryway
Instagram post 17856780565609483 Our new flocked Christmas tree arrived and I spent the afternoon setting it up and fluffing the branches. It’s such a tedious job, especially on a new tree, but it’s worth it! 
I’ve been trying to decide how I wanted to decorate this year, and while I was “fluffing”, I think I finally decided. And now I’m excited. 😬🎄 This lovely picture is from my last house, all decorated for Christmas. 😍

#thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #christmasdecor #christmasinterior #christmasshelfie
Instagram post 17842824415781814 On the blog, I’m talking all about designing and purchasing our IKEA cabinets. We still have a little ways to go before we “officially” have the cabinets completely installed and finished... and then we have all the other things we need to add, like a custom vent hood, backsplash and open shelves, just to name a few, but if you’re wanting to use IKEA cabinets, today’s post will give you a good idea of what to expect! 
#thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #ikeakitchen #ikeacabinets #kitchenremodel #ontheblog
📷: @patriceandeverett
Instagram post 17881252693452397 I’ve been updating the home tour of my old house on the blog, and I ran into this gem of a picture. This breakfast nook was such a beautiful space. 
#thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #breakfastnook #homedesignideas #kitchendesign
Instagram post 17859897157563074 I’ve been on the hunt for a new flocked Christmas tree since this beautiful tree is waay too tall for our 8’ ceilings... and I don’t want to look like Clark Griswold with my tree stuffed in the corner about to burst through the window. 💁🏼‍♀️ Sooo... I searched high and low to find the best flocked Christmas trees. There are some seriously beautiful trees... and after getting our tape measure out, we finally picked our new tree and it should be here this week! 🎄

If you’re looking for a new tree, be sure to head to the blog... I’ve organized them by size to make it easy! 👍🏻 #thewoodgraincottage #thewgc #christmasdecor #christmastree #flockedchristmastree #ontheblog
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Shop
  • Email

Copyright © 2019 The Wood Grain Cottage · Site by Moonsteam Design · Privacy Policy