DIY: Potted Pumpkins…

  DIY Centerpiece, Pumpkins, Planter, Tutorial, Craft

Ready for a little project?  With very little effort you can have an organic centerpiece for your table this weekend.   Recently, while having lunch at Bliss Bakery, I noticed that one of the tables sported a very clever looking potted pumpkin.  
 

 
DIY Centerpiece, Pumpkins, Planter, Tutorial, Craft
 
 
 
Items required:  One pumpkin, and one potted plant.  For this project I purchased a small pumpkin, just bigger than the 4″ Kalanchoe plant.  We also need approx
60 cm (2 ft) of wired ribbon, and two pieces of florist wire.
 
 

DIY Centerpiece, Pumpkins, Planter, Tutorial, Craft


Now, let’s get busy.  With a sharp knife, cut out the top of the pumpkin and reserve.  We’ll need it in a moment.  You can cut fairly closely around the base of the stem. 




DIY Centerpiece, Pumpkins, Planter, Tutorial, Craft

Scoop the seeds out of the pumpkin, and cut the opening of the pumpkin large enough to accommodate the potted plant. Place potted plant into pumpkin.  Please note that for the purpose of demonstrating, I have removed my plant from it’s little green pot and placed only the pot into the pumpkin.  After the photo was taken, I quickly returned the plant to the pot.  Edit: After several days I noticed a small soft spot on the bottom of the pumpkin, and I suggest placing a small plant saucer under the pot.
DIY Centerpiece, Pumpkins, Planter, Tutorial, Craft
 Fold one piece of the florist’s wire in half and carefully pierce both ends of the wire through the reserved top, keeping very close to the stem of the pumpkin.  Ease the wire through the pierced holes, pulling until the wire is flush with surface of the pumpkin.  Twist the two pieces of wire together.  Trim the wire to about 10cm (4″) and insert into the soil.  
 
 
DIY, tutorial, Pumpkins, Planter, craft
 
 
Now we make a bow with our wired ribbon.  No need to get too fancy; just think about tying your shoes.  Fold your second piece of florist’s wire in half and thread through the bow, again twisting the wires together and trimming to about 10cm (4″).  Insert into soil.
DIY, tutorial, pumpkin, planter, craft
{Potted Pumpkin}

Admire handiwork!  

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers.

8 Comments

  • Reply Smiley Reader October 6, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Fabulous – great work! 🙂

  • Reply Sue October 6, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Thank you Smiley Reader

  • Reply Anonymous October 7, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Beautiful, inspiring. love it

  • Reply Sue October 7, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Thank You Anon! Have a wonderful day!

  • Reply Cheryl October 7, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    Hi Sue. Our mutual friend (Cindy) passed your blog address on to me because she thought I would enjoy it. After 40+ years she knows me well, and of course she was right. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading it. I loved this potted pumpkin idea so much that I ran out immediately after reading it to buy the supplies. My bow is kinda wimpy because Michael's was out of the good harvesty coloured ribbon, but over all, I'm pleased with the result. I'm giving it to my sister as a gift for hosting Thanksgiving dinner tonight – I'm sure she'll be suitably impressed that I actually made it myself 🙂
    So thanks for the how-to, and thanks for the blog – I'm looking forward to following you.

  • Reply Shirl October 7, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    This is too cute. Thanks for the detailed instructions. You are a good teacher, Sue. Looking forward to seeing this tomorrow.

    Blessings,
    Shirl

  • Reply Sue October 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    Hi Cheryl. I'm thrilled that you were inspired to make a potted pumpkin! I'm sure it looks wonderful. I had a bit of a challenge finding good ribbon myself. Endless supply of Hallowe'en themed ribbons, but the selections for autumn ribbons were sketchy at best.

    I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with your family.

  • Reply Sue October 7, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks Shirl. Fortunately, my potted pumpkin has zero appeal to Mia. All leaves are intact at the time of this writing. We'll see you tomorrow.

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