By : Joanne Palmisano
To make this festive centerpiece, we drilled holes in the pumpkins, painted
them silver then added some holiday lights and a few crystals.
Tools and Materials
serrated knifedrill with large bit (optional)
scissors
extension cord
3 carving pumpkins (we used faux pumpkins by Funkin)
holiday lights with 25 to 50 clear bulbs
brilliant metal spray paint
3 strands of wire with crystal beads
dry-erase marker
painter's tarp
Carve and Cut
Carve a hole in the bottom and the top of the three pumpkins and remove the
innards. On the bottom pumpkin, make the hole a little to the side so the light
strand's plug can get through. Do not cut hole near the stem in the top pumpkin.
The hole has to be big enough to be able to put your hand in and pull the light
strands through the holes.
Mark for Light Holes
Use a dry-erase marker to make small circles where you want the bulbs to come
out of the pumpkins.
Cut Light Holes
Use a serrated knife or a drill to cut out the circles. Double check the size
by inserting one of the bulb sockets (take the bulb out to test it). Make the
hole bigger until the socket can fit through, but not too big — you don't want
the bulb to slide out.
Paint
Place the pumpkins on a tarp and spray-paint them with the brilliant metal
paint. Let them dry.
Prep the Lights
Check that the lights are working and then remove all the bulbs from their
sockets. This will make it easier to thread the strand through the pumpkins.
Thread the Lights
Starting with the bottom pumpkin, pull the sockets through the holes and then
screw on the bulb to keep it in place. Make sure you leave enough of the strand
to come out of the bottom of the pumpkin and plug into an extension cord or
outlet. Work your way up the pumpkin and then come out the top and move into the
next pumpkin. Leave some wiggle room in between.
Add Extra Sparkle
Wrap the pumpkins with crystal strands (cut to size if necessary) around the
bottom, middle and top to give the topiary a little extra glamour.