Pumpkin Stones -- Our First Post!!

Courtney, here. Since I'm the only one at home today, I'll be making our first post as we get this site launched. If you were hoping for a sewing tutorial you are DEFINITELY out of luck, but no worries...I hear Chelsea has an awesome one in the pipeline for this week!

So, let's get started...

This little project got started when Clinton came to me and said, "Mommy I want to paint wocks (rocks) like punkins (pumpkins) for Daddy." "Umm...okay, sure."

We have a stash of river rocks under our deck from a failed project (a recurring theme in this house!). Clinton enjoyed painting a number of them this summer for his garden, and asks often to paint some more.

We started by picking out rocks best suited for our project at hand, and then took them in for a good washing. I set them out in the sun for a quick dry before we started painting. Clinton loves helping with the washing and watching the water evaporate off of the rocks as they dry.

Next I went and found some paint out of the craft closet. Let me suggest NOT using the washable paints for a project that is going to stay outside....that created another step for me later!

Clinton and I then had a long discussion about how pumpkins are only orange and not purple, pink or green. So, he finally agreed to paint them all orange. We also have one of Daddy's old shirts we use as an art smock...very necessary!!

When it came time for the faces, I had a hard time letting Clinton just have free reign on them. He is just three....AND I did want them as something I could display. SO, we settled on the idea of stencils. Clinton told me which shapes he wanted to use on each face. I drew them out on card stock and cut them out with an Exacto knife. We then laid them on the rocks and he chose WHATEVER color he wanted to use on the face.

This is what he came up with. I also made little leaf and stem stencils to create those items on the top of the "pumpkins", as well.

Realizing I had used washable paint, I went to the garage and dug around until I found some clear coat. I then sprayed each of them down and left them to dry. Make sure to do several coats, and make sure they are good and dry before setting out. Mine got watered before they were dry and required some more clear coat!

And how cute are these little things!?! Everyone who has come by has commented on how cute they are and what a great idea....and they didn't cost me anything. Love it when an idea comes together like that!

Hope yours are Boo-tiful!