DIY Milk Paint Pumpkins

Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

I love decorating with pumpkins for Fall. I am not great at carving pumpkins, and so I love embellishing them.

My Fall front porch is full of pink and purple flowers, with light green and light orange pumpkins thanks to this wreath. I wanted to add some purple pumpkins to the mix this year. Since I loved how my last project , Thrifted Windsor Chair Makeover, turned out with Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint I was inspired to use the beautiful light purple again. This time with my pumpkins!

Today I want to show you the very simple way I achieved this farmhouse look for my Fall decor with a little milk paint and white wax. The beauty in this DIY is that it is fully customizable. You can turn your pumpkins into any color that you want to. You can also use faux pumpkins, if you want them to last for more than one Fall season.

Watch My Live Demo!

Click below to watch the recording of my live stream demo on Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Facebook page to see how I made these painted pumpkins. I take you through every step of the process.

Now, enjoy the video below to learn how to use Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint to transform your pumpkins this Fall. Then follow along for the simple, step-by-step picture tutorial for milk paint pumpkins.

Continue below to see how I transformed my pumpkins to create the prettiest Fall vignette.

Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure page here.

To make your own milk paint pumpkins, you will need:

  • Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. I used the color: Arabesque
  • Paint Brush
  • White Wax
  • Wax Brush
  • Dry Cloth
  • Cup for Mixing
  • Miniature Whisk for Stirring
  • Measuring Cup
  • (Optional) Gold Craft Paint & Paintbrush
  • Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 1: Mix the paint. Mix 1 part paint powder to 1 part water.

    I always recommend starting with less than more so you don’t waste your product. You can always make more paint later.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Whisk the paint together with the water until the paint is fully integrated into the water.

    I have found that a miniature whisk is the best mixing tool to ensure the milk powder stays fully integrated into the water.

    Your paint mixture should look like a thin pancake batter once it is mixed.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 2: Add 1 part bonding agent to 1 part of the mixed milk paint.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 3: Mix thoroughly.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 4: Protect your work surface. I used wax paper.

    Clean your pumpkin by placing it in a bleach bath. I applied 1 capful of bleach to a bath tub full of water. I let the pumpkins sit in the bleach bath for about 30 minutes, then I set them aside to dry completely.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 5: Apply 1 thin, even coat of the milk paint mixture to the pumpkin. Allow the paint to dry fully before you add another coat. My first coat took about 1 hour to dry.

    A little bit goes a long way with milk paint.

    If the milk paint starts to settle, you may need to whisk it some more.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 6: After your first coat of paint dries, add another coat of milk paint. Allow the second coat to dry completely.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 7: Apply a third coat of milk paint. Let it dry completely.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 8: Apply a fourth coat of milk paint.

    Then, let it dry overnight.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 9: Once completely dry, apply white wax to the entire pumpkin with a wax brush.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 10: Buff off the excess wax with a clean, dry cloth.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    (Optional) Step 11: Add gold craft paint to stems for added interest.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Step 12: Enjoy!

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    I absolutely loved how my pumpkins turned out. I think they add such a pretty and whimsical flair to my Fall decor.

    I was so inspired by them that I decided to create a cute Fall vignette in my kitchen. I even turned one of the pumpkins into a pumpkin floral centerpiece.

    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Milk Paint Pumpkins using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog

    Thank you so much for following along today. I hope you enjoy experimenting with Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint as I do!

    I believe crafting is more fun when we share our projects. Please email me at elizabeth@countrypeony.com, or please tag me @thecountrypeony or #countrypeony to show me your beautiful, custom creation!

    DIY Milk Paint Pumpkins with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    DIY Milk Paint Pumpkins with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Arabesque - Country Peony Blog
    Previous
    Previous

    DIY Felt Pumpkin Wreath with Clover

    Next
    Next

    My Thrifting Tips