Pumpkin Makeovers
Don't settle. That's today's lesson. Or maybe it's making lemonade out of lemons (or pumpkins, as the case may be).
There's a pharmacy chain here called Shoppers Drugmart. Over the past three years they've started coming out with some fairly impressive Halloween items. Even better, they have a reward program that actually lets you earn points pretty quickly and it's so easy to redeem points for goodies. My mother is a point gathering master and she was kind enough to let me pick out some Halloween decorations. Among the chosen were two large plastic pumpkins (about 17" in height) that light up.
The only problem was that the colours were flat and they looked like...well...large plastic pumpkins.
Solution? 30 minutes of my time and some paint.
A little brown in the creases. A wash in the eye cuts. Coating on the stem. And a lighter orange on the flesh. Voila. SUCH a difference!
So the next time you see a prop that is decently priced (those pumpkins were $20) but not quite up to snuff, don't pass it up so quickly. With a little time and a little love, you can transform it into a great display item.
Now if only I could make them smile less...
That is very cool. I always write that stuff off as soon as I see it. This is great.....but wait, 30 minutes! Who has 30 minutes to spare in October...sounds like a job for a minion :D
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
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Submitted by the Frog Queen (not verified) on September 28, 2009 - 11:03am.Technically, it's still September. Though anyone who reads this a few days from now is screwed ;)
And minions? I don't have minions. I am the whole team!
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Submitted by Ghoul Friday on September 28, 2009 - 11:19am.That's a great looking paint job Ghoul! I would be proud to display those ( after the makeover, of course)
Dave
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Submitted by dave the dead (not verified) on September 28, 2009 - 1:10pm.Now they look like pumpkins.
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Submitted by Deathtouch (not verified) on September 29, 2009 - 8:17am.Great idea. I need a plastic pumpkin. I can't cut them without wrecking them:)
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Submitted by Jill (not verified) on September 30, 2009 - 11:52am.And here I've been, using my Shoppers' Optimum points on batteries and vitamins.
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Submitted by halloween spirit (not verified) on September 30, 2009 - 12:47pm.This is such a great site! Plus really like the pumpkin article on taking a store bought prop and making it so much more! With your permission I would like to re-post this article over at www.yardhaunters.net I think the other members there will be really into it! Also giving you some zombie link love of course!
The Blob
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Submitted by A Nameless Minion (not verified) on September 30, 2009 - 5:48pm.Sure, as long as you link back ;) Will have to check out your site this week.
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Submitted by Ghoul Friday on October 2, 2009 - 10:40am.Love the look, thanks for the idea. Bring on the October!
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Submitted by Maureen in IL (not verified) on September 30, 2009 - 6:15pm.What a super duper idea! I have a whole bunch of these that I have been meaning to throw out...now a makeover is in their future!
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Submitted by CowGal Utah (not verified) on October 2, 2009 - 6:15pm.Excellent idea and execution. That really helped the look of those pumpkins. Well done and a good lesson!
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Submitted by ScareFX (not verified) on October 8, 2009 - 9:49am.Doggone...what a difference. Good job.
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Submitted by RahneFan (not verified) on October 16, 2009 - 11:55am.I'm so pleased with the effect I bought another one. I still have 12 papermache pumpkins I'm planning on making, but why not save myself the work on these huge ones with a little help from store bought goodness?
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Submitted by Ghoul Friday on October 16, 2009 - 1:55pm.Awesome Pumpkin redo. It DEFINITELY gives alot of hope to plastic pumpkins everywhere! In fact...this could be turned into a bizness. Just imagine- people lined up around the block to have their pumpkins 'saved'. It could be like the X*Mas gift wrapping tables are to Halloween! Or the Jehovah's Witnesses are to us Heathens. hehe
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Submitted by Danae <(:o) (not verified) on October 29, 2009 - 12:02am.lol I think your business plan is an excellent one! And it would be such a great gig.
I've bookmarked your website too :) Lots of goodies to be found there.
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Submitted by Ghoul Friday on October 29, 2009 - 9:44am.Post new comment