PAINTED PASTEL PUMPKINS - 3 DIFFERENT WAYS.

This year I've decided to forgo the traditional orange pumpkin and opt for pretty pastels instead. As much as I love Autumn I have to say dark browns and burnt orange just aren't my thing. Bright pops of pastel? Now that's something I can get on board with.

I've got 3 different ways to decorate your home with these pastel beauties, a pumpkin votive, a pumpkin vase and last but not least the classic painted pumpkin. First up, the pumpkin vase.

SUPPLIES: Mini munchkin pumpkins // Paring knife // Spoon // Acrylic paint ( I used a selection of Docrafts Artiste all-purpose acrylic paint, Lavender, Soft Green and Dark Grey but for those not in the U.K. I also like the Americana Decore Chalky paints below.) // A paintbrush // LED tealights.

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1. Draw a circle on top of your pumpkin using a tealight as a guide.

2. Cut around the stem and remove. You might need to wiggle it around a bit to remove it. I found prying it out with a spoon helped.

3. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp.

4. Rinse out your pumpkin and dry with some kitchen roll.

5. Apply a couple of coats of acrylic paint and leave to dry. I mixed together some of the lavender acrylic paint with the dark grey to achieve this pastel purple shade.

6. Add an LED tealight and enjoy.

For the mini pumpkin vase follow the same steps as above except this time fill with water instead of a tealight. I painted this pumpkin a pale antique green (soft green acrylic and some more of the dark grey) and filled with a small bunch of tied flowers. Don't forget to change the water every day to avoid a smelly pumpkin.

For the last pumpkin I mixed some dark grey and white acrylic paint together and applied a couple of coats. It dried to a lovely matte finish which I absolutely loved. A whole bunch of these painted in cool slate tones would look fantastic on a mantelpiece. Chic and stylish, don't you think?