I am getting ready to launch a lifestyle blog so that I can share all kinds of behind the scenes projects, home and garden tips from my little cottage home and my favorite things.
I couldn't wait for the new blog to be posted to share this beautiful gold kissed pumpkin topiary with you. It is created with a mix of new and reclaimed pieces...with a twist! I love fall decorating. How can you decorate for fall without PUMPKINS. If you have been over to my store, Loverly Cottage you will find topiaries EVERYWHERE.
Since I love to have live plants all around my home and the store, I am always buying pots in pairs.
To make these topiaries, you can use pots that you already have [I will show you how to make the topiaries stable, but able to be removed from the container you choose.] Or go thrifting and find fun containers. Please keep in mind that since the containers will be your base, you want them to have a bit of weight to keep the topiary stable.
Are you ready to make a Gold Kissed Topiary?
Let's gather our materials.
Here's what you need:
leftover pot liner [if you want to make the topiary removable]
Rust-Oleum spray paint: hammered copper or hammered ver de green
Pinecones [or go get them from outside]
Reclaimed chair spindles or crib railings for post
stones for filler
various ribbon, faux leaves and accents
Please note, I only recommend products that I have used. I will share affiliate links so that you have the opportunity to use them as well. I am a part of the Amazon Affiliate program. As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small amount from qualifying purchases.
Back to the project!
First you need to pick your pumpkins. The topiaries can me created with sets of 2 or 3 graduated size pumpkin or even one pumpkin would be adorable! Use what you have or find. Make sure the pumpkins vary in size and stack nicely. Remove the stems, they should pop right out with a gentle tug. Then stack them to see how they look before you break out the paint and the glue. You want to make sure they look nice together and create a pyramid [smallest on top, largest on bottom]
Once you have found the perfect pumpkins, you need a base. If you don't want it to be a permanent base, grab one of your pot liners from the flowers you planted over the summer [and the stack hiding in the shed is taller than you]. You want the base to be heavy enough so that the pumpkins don't tip over. You can use a planter, or even a rusty tin can. Personalize the topiary to fit your home. Make it more rustic or farmhouse, or add a bit more glam with something sparkly.
For this project, I chose a pair of footed porcelain planters. I also used the pot liner, because I love these planters and would like to use them around the holidays for another project ;)
Your last major piece of the topiary is the trunk. I repurpose as much as possible, and save random found objects [cough, cough]. I love old chair spindles with character. they can be used for so many things. Old crib spindles have some great shapes, too. you could also use wood dowels or thick twigs.
For these topiaries, I chose the black chair spindles. I may make some others out of the white crib spindles later on.
Once you have the core pieces; pumpkins, container, and topiary trunk, head outside to gather some rocks and pine cones. The pine cones will be used for the base. the rocks will be used for extra weight.
Gather the rest of your base supplies; a hot glue gun, glue sticks, plaster of Paris, saran wrap or plastic bag (to prevent the wet mixture from running out of the pot liner) and a sharp knife to cut the pumpkin.
You are going to want to cut a small hole in the base of the bottom most pumpkin for your topiary. The largest pumpkin. Cut a small x in the center of the bottom and then CAREFULLY cut out a circle. Do the same for the top (skip this step if you are only using one pumpkin.) You want the hole large enough for the trunk to pass thru the bottom pumpkin - this creates more stability for your topiary. Don't poke it all the way thru yet. We just want the holes ready before we paint.
Let's paint pumpkins! Gather your pumpkins and your spray paint and take them outside or to a well ventilated area. We will be using spray paint for this, so please don't spray it inside on a cold day!
I chose my 2 favorite Rust-Oleum colors for the base, hammered ver de green has a beautiful patina and the hammered copper has fabulous metallic copper finish. Both colors are perfect for fall.
Give each set of pumpkins a good coat of paint. Light even strokes help keep drips at bay. 2 light coats is always better than one heavy coat. Let them dry FULLY before bringing them back in. You don't want smudges and finger prints on your pretty pumpkins. Letting them dry in the sun will help.
While those are drying, we can get to work on the bases.
If you are using a liner, use plastic wrap or paper to cover the holes. If you are not using a liner, you can skip this step.
Place several rocks in the base and then insert your trunk into the center of the base. Fill in rocks around the base and move rocks around the trunk to center and stabilize it. Just don't fill it all the way to the top (you want to leave about 2 inches or more from the top of the container depending on how big it is.)
Next mix your plaster of Paris according to the package directions. Start with a cup of the mix first, and pour it around the rocks to fill in and secure the base. Fill the container, or liner, leaving about an inch of room at the top. You need to save room for the accents! Trim off your excess saran wrap. You can stabilize your trunk to make sure it does shift as the plaster of Paris cures. Let your container sit overnight to cure.
Let your pumpkins cure over night as well.
The next day when you are ready to assemble, plug in your glue gun first so it can heat up [or if you have on of the cool Arrow cordless glue guns, turn it on to warm up. THEN gather the components.
The pumpkins are cured, the base is secured, let's make some magic.
Take your largest pumpkin and gently push it all the way thru the pumpkin. The styrofoam just needs a nudge. You want the base pumpkin to poke all the way thru for stability. Add a bit of hot glue to secure around the base of the trunk where it meets the pumpkin.
Next add a bit of hot glue to the base of the medium pumpkin and attach it. Finally, if you used 3 pumpkins, add glue to the base of the smallest pumpkin and attach it to the top.
TIP: Try to make sure all of the pumpkins are centered atop one another.
Once your topiary is assembled, pop the the stem back into the top most pumpkin and then comes THE BEST PART.
I want you to add just a KISS of the spray gold to the entire tower. Take your pumpkin topiary outside and spray short bursts to leave little specks of gold all over the pumpkins.
Light touch, short bursts. Look at that shimmer!!
It should take just a few minutes to dry. Bring your pumpkin topiary back in, because now we get to add all the bits and bobs to finish it off!
Use your hot glue gun to glue the moss around the base of the tree to hide the plaster. Next, you can take faux foliage and pine cones to tuck around the base to add another beautiful layer. For the ver de green, I used soft green leaves and pine cones. For the copper I used some faux flowers that reminded me of little Annabelle hydrangeas.
The finishing detail consisted of hot gluing a draped ribbon from pumpkin to pumpkin and tucking in a few extra flowers and leaves.
Look at the gold shimmer! The green one is a bit more glam, but I think they are both beautiful.
Which one do you like best?
For more Fall Inspirations, I am blessed to be joined by some other talented ladies, dubbed the "Mustard Seedlings" as we are part of a mentoring group with the uber talented Marian "Miss Mustard Seed" and equally amazing rockstar Wendy Batten.
Make sure you check out our Fall Inspiration Blog Party for a few more fabulously fall inspired ideas for your home.
Positively Purvis: Kasie Leigh https://positivelypurvis.com/2019/09/26/fall-inspiration-update-to-fresh-eucalyptus-wreath-and-garland
The Lemon Tree Home by Julie Stubblefield Olmstead:
Aesthetic Interiors: Laura Adams
A Well Purposed Woman Elizabeth Marie Walby