Hi All! Recently I showed you all my fun finds from the latest antiquing/junkin trip. This vintage strainer was among my collection of goodies. I have been on the lookout for some things pumpkin shaped to make some cute Fall décor. This little metal strainer fits the bill. It’s round, and has a handle for the stem. Perfect for my vintage strainer jack-o-lantern!
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Material List for Diy Strainer Pumpkin
Vintage strainer
Chalk paint orange
Black, white, blue, rust red, leaf green, brown acrylic paint
Paint brushes
Raffia
Fall leaves
Floral wire
Wood sign cut-out
Stylus Pen or wood toothpick
Annealed wire
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Diy Vintage Strainer Jack-O-Lantern
Start by giving your vintage strainer a hot soapy bath.
Then give the round strainer part two coats of orange chalk paint. Paint the handle leaf green.
Once dry draw the face on your pumpkin strainer, and start filling in with black acrylic or chalk paint.
Use an old brush or stipple brush to add the rosy cheeks (Rust Red).
Next float some white acrylic paint on one side of the nose, and mouth.
Using the floating technique again for the blue of the eyes.
A detailed brush was used for adding the eyelashes, and eyebrows.
The dots on the eyes, and cheeks can be added by using a stylus pen if you have one, if not a round tooth pick will do the trick.
Once everything was completely dry I added a coat of Mod Podge for protection.
I decided since the metal vintage strainer had a hook on the bottom that my jack-o-lantern needed a sign.
I have lots of wood parts from years ago. So, I dug through them till I found this wood sign cut-out.
Giving it a coat of brown paint then again using my detail brush to add the wording on both sides. Added some wire and it’s ready to hang.
Next came the raffia and fall leaves. To connect the leaves, I used some floral wire. Then I secured the leaves and wire around the handle of the metal strainer.
Next came the raffia bow. Lastly, I hung the little wood sign on the hook at the bottom of the strainer.
That’s how I made a metal vintage strainer Jack-O-Lantern fall décor.
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Mary says
October 5, 2017 at 5:23 pmLinda this is really adorable. Love how your mind works and how you came up with that cute face to put on a strainer.
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 8, 2017 at 3:38 pmThank you Mary! I do believe this one even surprised me. LOL
Kellie says
October 5, 2017 at 11:01 pmSo adorable! You think of everything.
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 8, 2017 at 3:37 pmThanks Kellie! I don’t know about that, but it was round. Perfect to make a Jack-O-Lantern. 😉
Wendi@H2OBungalow says
October 8, 2017 at 6:11 amThis is so darn cute! Love the eyes! I wouldn’t have thought to use a strainer for a pumpkin and yours is so creative:) Pinned in my fall ideas folder!
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 8, 2017 at 3:36 pmThank you Wendi! When we went junkin I was looking for thing round that I could make into pumpkins. I ran across this strainer and thought it would work. It worked better than I thought, it was hard to part with. Thanks so much for pinning!
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says
October 8, 2017 at 8:35 pmWow, Linda! You really outdid yourself with this one! Love how you really gave him expression! You’re an artist to be able to do that. And then the final touches you added with the leaves, stem, and sign. So adorable. Pinning & sharing. I missed your junking post! Where is that?
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 9, 2017 at 3:28 pmThank you Florence! I think I got lucky with him. He turned out so much better than I had hoped. I believe the tole painting class that I took years ago helped out with some easy touches that make a difference. Thanks for pinning and sharing.
My junkin post was a few weeks back here’s the link https://mixedkreations.com/2017/09/thrift-store-and-vintage-finds/
michelle says
October 9, 2017 at 4:41 amThe faces you paint are always so full of character Linda. You make it look so effortless. This little strainer jack-o-lantern with his bright sparkly eyes, is just so adorable. He looks so happy to welcome in fall.
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 9, 2017 at 3:23 pmThank you Michelle! I even surprised myself, I love how he turned out. It was hard leaving him at the craft booth. If he’s still there he may come back home.
Amy says
October 9, 2017 at 7:06 pmThis is seriously so cute! I love the detail in the face, as well as the fact that you made it a bit feminine. So fun! And it looks great on the wall. 🙂
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 20, 2017 at 4:01 pmThank you Amy! I am loving how it turned out. I guess some of the tips that I learned in my tole painting class that I took years ago helped out. 😉
nikki frank-hamilton says
October 11, 2017 at 9:00 amLinda, this is so adorable! I would never have thought of using the strainer for this project, but it turned out so cute! You have a great talent for painting the cutest faces, this Pumpkin is no exception. The addition of the leaves and sign put it over the top. I think it’s my favorite Halloween Project. I need to find one of those old strainers! He would also look great on a front door wreath.
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 20, 2017 at 5:04 pmThank you Nikki! He did turn out better than I had hoped, and he was hard to party with. If he doesn’t sell maybe I will make a wreath with him. That is a great idea, he would look so cute nestled in some leaves.
Sam - Raggedy Bits says
October 18, 2017 at 9:58 pmRidiculously cute Linda!!! Love that you have repurposed an old strainer into a Jack O Lantern and a happy one at that with those big happy eyes!!
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 20, 2017 at 5:59 amThank you Sam! This was a fun upcycle, and it even turned out better that I hoped. 😉
Grace says
October 30, 2017 at 9:05 amThis is so adorable and simple. Pity I didn’t see it earlier I would have included it in my Halloween decorations. Hopefully you will have some stuff for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I signed up for the newsletter so look forward to more tips
Linda @ Mixed Kreations says
October 31, 2017 at 6:18 amThank you Grace! I do have some projects planned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Plus I have older projects as well on the blog. Thanks or stopping by!