Let’s make these pumpkins look like concrete! Last year I got a crazy idea to do an ombré pumpkin display. It was pretty, but I was looking for something different this year. So why not use the baking soda trick on these guys!

I used flat paint mixed with lots of baking soda for texture.

And I added a little black for a gray tone.

The texture was pretty gloppy (technical term) and took more baking soda than I thought. 

Some helpers painted most of it on.

I used a toothbrush to add subtle splatter to look more like porous concrete.

I even rubbed some dirt on. I don’t know, seemed like a good idea at the time. It did add a more “found” feel to the pumpkins. Just go easy.

It’s a fun change. I think this is the fourth reinvention for these pumpkins! And you could do this with all kinds of objects. It would be pretty for vases or ceramic items.

And I love the way they mix in with real and fake options too.