DIY No-Carve Monogram Pumpkin. Create a stylish, no-carve monogram pumpkin for fall using gold thumbtacks and decoupaged florals cut from napkins—perfect for adding a personal touch to your seasonal decor!

DIY No-Carve Monogram Pumpkin is the Easiest Pumpkin Craft

Fall is all about pumpkins! Whether you’re decorating your front porch, adding a touch of fall to your mantel, or looking for a fun crafting activity, pumpkins are the ultimate fall decor item. Over the past 17 years that I’ve been blogging and creating content, I’ve crafted literally hundreds of pumpkin projects. From painted pumpkins to fabric-covered pumpkins, I’ve tried it all. But this project? It’s one of my favorites! Not only is it super simple and quick to make, but it’s also a perfect craft to do with family or friends. I recently made these DIY no-carve monogram pumpkins with my mom and sisters, and we had the best time together. If you’re looking for a fun, personalized fall craft that requires minimal supplies, this is it!

Six Best DIY Pumpkin Crafts

And today I am joining five friends who are sharing the prettiest pumpkin to make! Be sure to scroll down and PIN the tutorials to make later!

Supplies You Will Need

One of the best parts about this DIY project is how few supplies are needed. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Faux pumpkin
• A napkin with a design you love
• Matte Mod Podge
• Gold thumbtacks
• Pencil

That’s it! These are probably items you already have around the house or can pick up at your local craft store. It’s budget-friendly, which makes it even better.

Step 1: Trace Your Monogram

The first step is to trace the letter you want to monogram on your pumpkin. You can either freehand it or print out an example of the letter to trace. I like to use a straight edge for any straight parts of the letter and something round, like a cup or small plate, for the curves. Here’s a helpful tip: don’t center the letter! When you place your pumpkin on the floor or a surface, the top part of the pumpkin is the most visible. To ensure your monogram is seen, trace the letter slightly higher than the center of the pumpkin.

Step 2: Apply the Thumbtacks

Once your letter is traced, it’s time to start applying the thumbtacks! This step is incredibly satisfying. I’ve found that it’s easiest to center the thumbtack on the lines instead of trying to line up the edge of the thumbtack with the line. This technique makes the lines appear much straighter. Another tip – to make it easier to control, you can put the pumpkin between your knees to steady it while you insert the thumbtacks (see my cute mom below).

Start at the top of your letter and work your way down and across. You can choose between two different methods for applying the thumbtacks:

• Uniform Rows: Follow the traced line and apply the thumbtacks in straight, even rows. Place the second row so that the edges of the thumbtacks just meet.
• Mermaid Scale Rows: Start with one row of thumbtacks along the traced line. Then, for the second row, slightly overlap the first row, giving a layered “mermaid scale” effect.

Both methods look beautiful, and you can decide which one you prefer! In the photos of my pumpkins, you’ll see that one of the “J” monograms has straight, uniform rows while the other “J” features the mermaid scale look. Both give a unique touch!

Step 3: Cut and Prepare the Napkin Design

Now that your monogram is done, it’s time to move on to the decorative part of the pumpkin. Pick a napkin design that you love. Florals work beautifully for this project, but any design will do. Before you cut out your design, be sure to peel off the backing of the napkin so you’re left with the top, printed layer.

Once you have peeled the napkin, carefully cut around the design. If you’re working with florals, cutting around the individual flowers and leaves gives the pumpkin a more intricate and delicate look.

Step 4: Apply the Napkin with Mod Podge

With your cut-out napkin design ready, it’s time to adhere it to your pumpkin using Mod Podge. Here’s a key tip: use matte Mod Podge instead of glossy. Matte Mod Podge dries clear, while glossy can leave a shiny residue if any goes outside the edges of your napkin.

Start by applying a thin, even layer of Mod Podge slightly smaller than the napkin cutout. Press the napkin onto the pumpkin, smoothing it out as you go. Then, fold back the edges of the napkin, apply more Mod Podge to the pumpkin’s surface, and press the edges down. This ensures that the entire napkin is securely adhered and lies flat on the pumpkin.

Repeat this process for all of the napkin designs you want to apply, whether it’s one large design or a few smaller ones placed around the pumpkin.

Step 5: Let It Dry and Enjoy!

Once you’ve finished applying the thumbtacks and napkin designs, let your pumpkin dry completely. It usually takes a few hours for the Mod Podge to dry, but once it’s set, you’re left with a beautiful, personalized pumpkin that’s perfect for fall.

I love how versatile this project is! You can create a monogram for each family member or experiment with different napkin designs for a truly unique look. The combination of the gold thumbtacks and the delicate napkin art adds a touch of elegance to your fall decor.

A Fun Craft for Kids and Friends

One of the things I love most about this project is that it’s perfect for a group craft. Whether you’re doing it with your kids, friends, or family, it’s an easy, fun, and mess-free activity. Imagine hosting a fall girls’ night and everyone going home with their own personalized pumpkin! Or, this could be a sweet gift idea for someone with a fall birthday or a thoughtful present for a teacher.

Final Thoughts

This DIY no-carve monogram pumpkin is a quick, creative, and beautiful fall decor idea that’s fun for all ages. I hope you give it a try! Don’t forget to check out the pumpkin projects my friends have made!!

Blogger’s Best DIY Pumpkin Crafts

Decoupage Pumpkins with Fall Leaves | Most Lovely Things

Make decoupage pumpkins with fall leaves for an earthy tablescape.

Pottery Barn-Style Pumpkin Wreath | My Sweet Savannah

Fall is the perfect time to embrace cozy, seasonal decor, and what better way to welcome the season than with a beautiful pumpkin wreath? Inspired by Pottery Barn’s stylish designs, I decided to craft a DIY knockoff that’s not only eye-catching but also budget-friendly. Here’s how you can recreate this charming wreath using items from Dollar Tree for a designer look at a fraction of the cost!

Pumpkin with Flowers DIY | Happy Happy Nester

Transform your autumn decor with a beautiful Pumpkin with Flowers DIY project that blends seasonal pumpkins and colorful blooms. This simple yet stunning craft makes a perfect centerpiece for your fall gatherings or a pretty touch to your home. With just a few materials and a little creativity, you’ll have a gorgeous floral pumpkin arrangement in 15 minutes or less.

Painted Pumpkin Floral Arrangement | Craftberry Bush

A gorgeous Fall Floral Arrangement using a painted pumpkin as a vase.

DIY Rose Painted Pumpkin Craft | My 100 Year Old Home

It’s fun to make handmade decorations for your home. My latest pumpkin craft transformed a faux white pumpkin into a stunning piece of art.

DIY No Carve Monogram Pumpkin | Tatertots and Jello

Create a stylish, no-carve monogram pumpkin for fall using gold thumbtacks and decoupaged florals cut from napkins—perfect for adding a personal touch to your seasonal decor!

More DIY Pumpkin Crafts

Here are a few other pumpkin crafts I’ve made over the years!

Mason Jar Lid Washi Tape Pumpkins

Washi Tape Mason Jar Lid Pumpkin. Upcycle your mason jar lids and display your favorite washi tape by making this sweet and colorful pumpkin!

DIY Sweater Pumpkins

How to make easy fall sweater pumpkins. Use inexpensive dollar store pumpkins and transform them into beautiful decor with thrifted sweaters!

18 DIY Pumpkin Crafts to Make This Fall!

18 DIY Pumpkin Ideas for Fall! Celebrate the beginning of fall by creating some beautiful pumpkins to display!

Which one do YOU want to make first??

xoxo

The post DIY No-Carve Monogram Pumpkin appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

10-Minute Chalkboard Pumpkin Place Markers

I found these wood pumpkins at Target. They have them packaged in sets of two. They’re unfinished so the sky’s the limit in terms of what you can do with them. I thought they were the perfect size for place markers! In just minutes you can paint them and they’re ready for your next dinner party. Or perfect for Thanksgiving!!

More Pumpkin DIYs

MY 100 Year Old Home

DIY Fall Pumpkin with Metal Leaf

I love using metal leaf and this DIY Fall Pumpkin took less than thirty minutes to make. Join me to make some new fall pumpkin decor.

Happy Happy Nester

DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planter

Inspired by Anthropologie’s succulent decor, I designed this DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planter tutorial and arrangement for my fall table. Come on over to start your succulent pumpkin today.

The DIY Mommy

An Easy DIY Gift Idea: Pumpkin Spice Themed Gift Box

For a quick and simple gift idea, make a beautiful pumpkin spice-themed gift box. It’s a cute and creative DIY craft to make for a loved one this season, and you can customize it to make it extra special.

How to Make 10-Minute Chalkboard Pumpkin Place Markers

It’s so easy! Here’s how to make these cute autumn place markers!

Stain the Stem

I used a walnut stain to paint the pumpkin stem. I dip a paper towel in water and then dip the wet paper towel in the stain. So easy!

Add Ribbon

I added a leaf ribbon which I think looks cute with the pumpkin because it looks like the pumpkin stems. My favorite leaf ribbon is wired and it’s great for all kinds of projects!

How to Write on Chalkboard Paint

To write your guests names on chalkboard paint, my favorite thing to use is chalkboard pens! They look so much richer and the lines are more clear than using actual chalk. To use a chalkboard pen, take an old piece of paper and push the chalkboard tip onto the paper to get the chalkboard fluid flowing. Initially the chalkboard pen might be very runny and ruin your writing. Push the tip against the paper and do some initial writing to see how it looks and make sure the fluid is smooth. Once it is running smoothly, write the name on your chalkboard pumpkin. I actually used paint markers on these which are permanent. If you want to change out the names I recommend using chalkboard pens.

More Pumpkin Ideas

Here are a few other Pumpkin Ideas!

Embroidery Hoop Pumpkins

Frame your favorite scrapbook paper in embroidery hoops and showcase them as pumpkins! Such an easy idea!

20 Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins

So many cute ways to decorate with pumpkins this fall!

Fall Sweater Pumpkins

Upcycle old sweaters into cozy pumpkins! These are one of my favorite DIY ideas!

What are YOU working on for fall?

Let us know in the comments!

xoxo

The post DIY Wood Chalkboard Pumpkin Place Markers appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

DIY Gilded Leaf Pumpkins

I love creating pumpkin ideas for fall! It’s always exciting to think of new ways to display pumpkins in our home. Over the years I’ve made a few different types of pumpkin crafts:

• boho pumpkins
• glitter dollar store pumpkins
• grouted pumpkins
• succulent pumpkins
• crackled dollar store pumpkins
• painted dollar store pumpkins
• minky fabric pumpkins
• bright ruffled pumpkins
• farmhouse pumpkins
• sweater pumpkins
• decoupaged pumpkins
• address pumpkins
• embroidery hoop pumpkins

13 DIY Fall Leaf Projects to Make!

My friends and I were given the challenge to create something for fall with a leaf theme. Look at these amazing ideas! Scroll down and see how easy it is to create gorgeous DIY ideas for your home.

Fresh Leaves are Gilded with Metallic Paint

I love the shape and varieties of leaves. Isn’t nature amazing?? One of my favorite things about our new home and neighborhood in Salt Lake City’s Avenues area are the 200 year old trees! I just went out into our yard and there were five different kinds of trees to choose from.

Use Whatever Leaf Shape You Like

I chose this curved leaf shape. I am not sure what kind of tree it’s from. Let me know if you recognize the variety of tree. I love that it is not a traditional fall tree shape.

Use Glue to Apply the Gilded Leaves to the Pumpkin

I gilded the leaves first with Martha Stewart’s gilding paint. It is a beautiful color and I love the way the paint glides onto the leaves. When the leaves were dry I used hot glue to attach them to the pumpkin. You can also use traditional glue or decoupage them straight onto the pumpkin.

Note — if you use a flat pumpkin it will be easier to decoupage or glue them onto the flatter surface. I used pumpkins I already had and they had ridges so I chose to hot glue them onto the pumpkin.

Use Decoupage Paint to Seal Pumpkin For Outdoor Display

One the leaves were glued onto my pumpkin, I sprayed outdoor ModPodge onto the surface to protect the leaves and make the pumpkin waterproof so it could be displayed outside on my porch. If you are using the pumpkins inside you don’t have to use outdoor ModPodge. But I would still recommend using ModPodge to protect the painted leaves.

Add Ribbon to the Pumpkin Stem

The last thing I did was add some ribbon to the stems. Super easy and fun project!

Gilded Leaf Pumpkins Video

I made a tutorial showing how to make the pumpkins! Just click on this link to see the video. Gilded Leaf Pumpkin Video.

13 Fall Leaf Project Ideas

Gold Dipped Leaf Place Cards - Modern Glam
How to Make a Paper Quilt Leaf - Happy Happy Nester
Fall Craft Ideas - Jennifer Maune
DIY Gilded Leaf Pumpkins - Tatertots & Jello
Watercolour Fall Leaf Free Printable Series - The Happy Housie

Fall Craft Ideas for Your Table - My 100 Year Old Home
Pressed Botanical Art - Craftberry Bush
Outdoor Fall Tablescape with Leaves - Hallstrom Home
Fall Wood Bead Garland - Lolly Jane

DIY Leaf Pillow - Thistlewood Farms
Dinner Rolls with a Cut Leaf Design - Twelve On Main
DIY Leaf Trivet - My Sweet Savannah
The Worst Project Made with Leaves Ever - Jennifer Rizzo

What projects are you working on for fall?

xoxo

The post DIY Gilded Leaf Pumpkins appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Decorating for Fall is my favorite.

Last week I made a bleached dropcloth slipcover for my couch and I thought it would be fun to keep my Fall decor to grey and white. Kind of non-traditional. I just really wanted to go with a neutral and kind of beachy look for Fall.

DecoArt has an awesome multi-surface line of paints coming out. They were kind of enough to send me some and ask me to make a project with them. I thought it would be fun to paint pumpkins and attach wood letters that spelled out something for Fall!! I chose the word AUTUMN.

Here’s how I made this Beachy Fall Mantel!

• I took 6 small pumpkins. You can find them at your local craft store.

• Then I painted them. I originally painted them grey but once I put them on my mantel, I found that I liked a lighter color. So I repainted them white (just keeping it real).

• And I painted the wood letters Dolphin Grey.
• I attached the wood letters to the pumpkins with hot glue.
• I also painted a round grape vine wreath with the paint  and hung it on an old vintage door.

I just love the way it looks!!

I think the mantel needs something else — maybe a few grey and white Fall pennants??

What do you think?? 

I love the way the Autumn Pumpkin mantel looks with my new slipcovered couch.

So light and bright!!

DecoArt will aso have an awesome line of stencils. I made these Gold Geometric Pumpkins with their Geometric Stencil:

Americana Multi-Surface Satins are available for purchase at Michaels, A.C. Moore, Hobby Lobby, and other fine craft retailers.

Plus … check out this DecoArt rebate offer (click the pic for a larger version)

Have a Creative Day!! 

xoxo

PS – I am linking this up to Thrifty Decor Chick’s Fall Mantel Party – check it out!

This post sponsored by DecoArt. Regardless of sponsorship or product provided, I only post about products or companies I love. For more information, see my disclosures.

The post Modern White and Grey Fall Pumpkin Mantel! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

And I love the way gold looks with my light family room.

I created a Grey and turqouoise Porch for Fall. I shared my Plaid Pumpkin and Ruffle Wreath yesterday.

And with my NEW dropcloth slipcovers that I just made, I wanted to create something really neutral for Fall that would go with my White and Grey Family Room!

So I took three carvable pumpkins and created something that would fit in to my neutral family room decor.

Here’s how I made my gold-toned geometric Pumpkins!

Supplies:

Three Carvable Pumpkins

Gold Spray Paint

Paper

Mod Podge

Heat Knife

Gold Glitter

DecoArt Stencils

Directions:

I experimented with different ways to create the geometric look

I took the three pumpkins and used DecoArt’s new geometric stencils.

I traced the stencil patterns on paper

Then I cut out the stencils on paper and mod podged them onto the pumpkins

The next step was to cut the stencils on the pumpkins with the heat tool.

Once the patterns were cut into the pumpkins, I spray painted the pumpkin gold.

And the gold was a little intense, so I dry-brushed the pumpkins with some white DecoArt craft paint, to tone down the gold a little.

I added a couple LED tea lights inside of the pumpkins.

I just love seeing the graphic patterns all lit up for Fall!

I really love the way the pumpkins turned out!! 

Happy Fall!!

What are you making to decorate YOUR home?

Let me know in the comments – I would love to see YOUR ideas!

xoxo

Thanks to Michaels for the pumpkins and heat tool for this project. And DecoArt for the stencil.

The post Make Gold Geometric Pumpkins for Fall! appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.