Last week I told you that I was going to share my project with you, and I’m so happy to share my #diyHarvestYardSign via this virtual party with you! We had directions to follow with the items purchased at Home Depot, but creative license to change up the sign however we wanted. Be sure to visit my friends to see their signs. The links are at the bottom of this post.
This is the inspiration piece that you can learn how to make at your local Home Depot in their #DIHworkshop THIS Thursday! I asked my Home Depot how they do their DIH workshops and was told that the lady who runs the workshops generally shows the participants how to make the projects as well as sharing tips for the tools involved. She typically will let participants make the project if they choose to. The policy at your Home Depot may vary. You can find out more details and sign up for the workshop here. The associates at Home Depot that run the workshops will gladly help you choose the materials you will need to make this project at home.
How to make a pumpkin candy holder
Here are the high points of how my project came together, for more details on how to make your own, visit Home Depot.
Draw your pattern on the plywood
The Tombstone Candy Holder is made from a small sheet of 1/2” plywood. Did you know that you can buy smaller sheet goods? Such as this 2×2 sheet, as well as 2’ by 4’ sheets of plywood and even pre-primed (painted) chalkboard pieces. I picked up this plywood on a recent trip while I was buying LOTS of stuff for DIY projects.
Cut your plywood
The grain on this piece spoke to me. I made sure I cut my pieces so the grain runs from top to bottom. The plans call to cut out one large piece and two smaller strips that will make up the box.
I’m not real keen on RIP signs for Halloween. So I decided to make my piece of plywood into a pumpkin instead! To give it more of a pumpkin shape on the bottom, I cut off the corners with my miter saw.
A jigsaw is handy for the detailed work
To make the pumpkin shape for the top, I drew a angled pattern, included a stem, and used my jigsaw to cut on the lines.
Sanding is what makes your project stand out. I like to round over my edges slightly to remove the sharpness—this is easily accomplished with a sander.
After cutting the small end pieces for the candy box and sanded all my pieces, it was time for a dry fit.
Assemble the pumpkin candy holder
Yep! Everything is coming together perfectly, and I love how the grain will help mimic my pumpkin as I paint it.
Prepare to paint
I chose rustic looking colors because I didn’t want my pumpkin candy holder to look store bought. I wanted it to have a more aged feel—as though it’s been around for years.
Doing a dry brush technique while painting the pumpkin was easy using a disposable paint tray as a paint palette. The nubby bumps worked well to dial back the color on the paint brush bristles.
Add chalkboard paint
I prefer to roll on chalkboard paint for a really nice finish on wood.
I love how the color turned out, it was exactly as I had imagined it would be. The grain worked well, can you imagine if I had cut it the other way with the grain going sideways, working against me?
Optional: Embellish pumpkin with Jack-o-Lantern features
The small box was attached using a nail gun, and chalkboard paint was put on the front. But instead of using chalk for little candy box on the front of the harvest sign I cut out the words Happy Halloween from orange vinyl. I also cut out black and yellow features to sort of give my Jack-o-Lantern a lit up look.
I think the funny jack-o-lantern face is great if you have kids around.
Without the Jack-o-Lantern face and the Halloween vinyl, this harvest yard sign would be the perfect home décor all the way through Thanksgiving!
About The Home Depot DIH Workshops
- The Home Depot offers Workshops at all of their locations for do-it-yourselfers of all ages and experience levels.
- There are three types of Workshops offered – Do-It-Yourself (DIY), Do-It-Herself (DIH) and Kids.
- Customers can learn how to build décor projects, how to make easy home repairs and how to operatetools through demonstrations and step-by-step instructions.
- Visit https://workshops.homedepot.com to learn more
If you’re new to using power tools, or just want to make sure you’re using them correctly, I would appreciate you clicking this link to get details for this weeks DIH Workshop at your local Home Depot before you hop over to visit my friends.
My Repurposed Life you are here
What kind of sign will you make?
gail
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*The Home Depot partners with bloggers such as me for DIH Workshop program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
this looks really cute. i actually like the pumpkin without the jack-o-lantern face!
Good to know Nova! I may be taking it to Glendale…. Hope to see you there!
gail