Dollar Tree Pumpkin Crafts

It's been a busy week, but I still  wanted to share a new post this week.  Mid August is such a weird time. It's still summer, but fall is just around the corner. Its 80s degrees, but I'm so excited about football season.  There are people who refuse to start thinking of Halloween, and others who were ready to decorate yesterday.  I am one that does not want to summer to end, but I am also excited about all the Halloween items in the stores. I have already started picking up items to put out in about a month or so.  

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Since the Dollar Tree craft pumpkins are back in orange, white, and black,  I thought it would be a good time to post about my pumpkin gang again.  If you are not able to find the pumpkins in stores, they are currently available on the Dollar Tree website in quantities of only 4!!  You can also have them shipped to your local store for FREE

For the last several years, I have used Dollar Tree pumpkins to create different pumpkin characters that I like to call the Pumpkin Gang.  There were a few years when I lived in apartment that I did not have the room to put them out. Now that I am living in house again, I am so looking foward to decorating again this year.  If you would like to see how to make one of the pumpkins, I am linking to the post with directions under each photo.  

Scarecrow and Crow Pumpkins

Frankenpumpkin

Monster Pumpkin

                                                                  Mummy Pumpkin

Bat and Spider Pumpkins

 

Olaf Pumpkin

Black Cat Pumpkin

Owl Pumpkin

Witch Pumpkin

Pumpkin Gnomes - Trick and Treat

Turkey Pumpkin

I have a few ideas on which pumpkins I would like to add this year.  I am not going to mention what they are yet, just in case it does not happen.  :)   Happy Crafting! 

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Decorating Dollar Store Pumpkins

I have to be honest here, I am having a hard time adjusting to the holidays after my move. In years past, I would love to get out all of the decorations and go all out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  One reason why I have not shared many new craft or decorating ideas this fall, is because most of my decorations and supplies are in storage.  I just do not have easy access to them, and there is not enough room for them at my new place.  I know this situation is temporary, but it is hard when you are not able to do your usual family traditions.  This year our traditions will be on a smaller scale. 

One of those traditions has been adding members to the pumpkin gang each year. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

I miss the gang, but I know they are safely wrapped in a box this year.  Hopefully next year they can come out and be on full display again.  I thought it might be fun though to introduce you to the gang, and new members who were added after this picture was taken 2 years ago.  

The founding member of the pumpkin gang was my Vampire Pumpkin. I found a white craft pumpkin on clearance one year which turned out to be perfect for this craft. All you need is some felt and a few basic craft supplies.  

Another one of the earliest members was Mummy Pumpkin. I used a dollar store pumpkin and supplies.  

Frankenpumpkin  was also one of the early members to the gang.  

There was a little more involved with my witch pumpkin.  A dollar store boa made her purple hair and some model magic formed her nose. She is definitely one of more colorful members of the group. 

One of the sweeter members of the gang was my black cat pumpkin.

The following year Owl Pumpkin joined the group. This sweet owl has always been one of my favorite ones.  

Bat and Spider  joined the group together. They are quite similar, but yet different.  

Also joining as a pair were Scarecrow and Crow. I also have a special place in my heart for the scarecrow pumpkin. 

One of the pumpkins not in the original picture is Monster Pumpkin. I love his purple color. 

The last pumpkin to join the gang is also one of my very favorites.. Last year Olaf joined the group.  Frozen is still one of my favorite movies almost two years later 

I do have a few ideas for some new pumpkin gang members.  Hopefully I will be able to add them soon! 

Updated: Dollar Tree foam crafting pumpkins are available online now in both orange and white. They are currently available in smaller quantities and shipped to your home.  

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Black Cat Pumpkin

This pumpkin is definitely more cute than scary.  We are cat lovers in our house though, so I had to make a black cat pumpkin. 

** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

I painted a dollar store pumpkin all black.  I glued on large google eyes and painted on an orange triangle nose to math its orange and black ears.  I didn't realize it when I was making the cat, but the nose is actually painted upside down.  Kara was glad to inform me that cat noses actually point down.  I knew that, but forgot.  I asked her if I should paint over it, but she said she liked it this way too.. 
To make the ears I cut two triangles of black felt, and glued on two slightly smaller triangles of orange craft foam.  Unless you use hot glue, gluing the ears on the pumpkin does not really work very well.  I found it worked best when I use small straight pins with black ends.  I used 3 pins.  Two on the back side on each end, and one in the front of the ear in the middle.  The 3rd pin helped give its slightly curved shape. 

I then painted on a smile and slight whiskers near its eyes. I like the black cat like this, but somehow I think it needs more..  

I added whiskers with white pipe cleaners and a small push pin. I still need to get black pipe cleaners and try it that way. I am not sure what I think of the white. 

I wondered what it might look like with eye lids. I attached black felt half circles  over the top part of the eyes. I am still not sure what I think of this either.  I think I like it, but it make the cat look more sinister..  Hmm.. what kind of look do I want my cat to have?  

This is what it looks like with eyelids and whiskers..  I think I like this look.  Hopefully I will remember the black pipe cleaners the next time I go to the store.  

Updated:  The Dollar Store foam pumpkin that I used in this craft is now available online at DollarTree.com. They can sometimes be hard to find in store. They come in orange and white, and are available in smaller quantities. 

 

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