Dollar Tree Jack-O-Lantern Makeover: DIY Buffalo Check Pumpkin Hanger
If you're looking for a fun and affordable way to transform a simple Dollar Tree jack-o-lantern into a charming fall wall or door hanger, you’re in the right place! With just a few supplies and a little creativity, you can turn this unfinished piece into a stylish, buffalo-check decor perfect for your fall setup. Let’s dive into how I made my pumpkin hanger – one of my favorite projects yet!
Supplies You’ll Need:
Dollar Tree unfinished jack-o-lantern
12x12 scrapbook paper (I found mine at Joann's for $0.70)
Mod Podge
Paintbrush (any kind works)
Dollar Tree ribbon
Dollar Tree embellishments (I used a glittery pumpkin from a multi-pack)
Black Sharpie or black/brown paint
Tools I Used (optional, but helpful):
Self-healing mat
Cardboard
Scissors
Exacto knife
Hot glue and glue gun
Heat gun
Wax paper
Paper towel
Quilling tool
Mini iron
Finger sander
Paint scraper
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Remove the Face Pieces: I started by using a paint scraper (which I purchased from Dollar Tree) to gently pry off the jack-o-lantern's eyes, nose, and teeth. Don’t worry if the surface isn’t perfectly smooth – we’ll take care of that next!
2. Prep the Surface: Next, I removed the jute string hanger and set it aside to reuse later. To smooth out the area where the face pieces were, I lightly sanded the surface with a finger sander. This doesn’t have to be perfect, just make it as smooth as possible.
3. Apply the Mod Podge: I painted a layer of Mod Podge over the entire surface of the jack-o-lantern. If you're patient, you can let it dry overnight, but I used my heat gun to speed up the process because I couldn't wait!
4. Add the Scrapbook Paper: Once the Mod Podge dried, I laid the jack-o-lantern on top of the scrapbook paper and cut around it as closely as possible. You can also trace the pumpkin and cut it out first, whichever works for you.
5. Adhere the Paper: With the cut-out paper ready, I laid it pretty side up on the pumpkin. Then, I took a paper towel (you could use parchment paper here as well) and placed it over the paper. Using a mini iron, I pressed the paper towel-covered surface to ensure the paper adhered smoothly to the pumpkin (this reactivated the dried mod podge), especially around the edges.
6. Trim the Excess Paper: After the paper was stuck down, I carefully used an Exacto knife to trim away any excess paper hanging off the edges. Again, no need to stress about perfection here, as you can smooth out the edges later with a finger sander.
7. Seal the Surface: Once trimmed, I applied another layer of Mod Podge over the entire pumpkin. This is where it might wrinkle up a bit, but don't worry – once it dries, you can use your iron again to smooth everything out.
8. Sand around the edges: Once the Mod Podge was dry and the paper was smooth, use your finger sander or sand paper to smoothe edges so no paper is hanging over. Then, I used a quilling tool to poke the holes where the jute string hanger was originally threaded through. I also used an Exacto knife to clean up any paper around the holes.
9. Attach the Hanger: I threaded the jute string back through the holes and tied knots on each end to secure it. Your jack-o-lantern hanger is now back in business!
10. Add the Final Touches: To give the edges a more finished look, I used a black Sharpie to color in any exposed areas. You could also use black or brown paint, or even an ink pad, if you prefer.
11. Create the Bow: I made a simple bow using Dollar Tree ribbon and hot glued it to the top of the pumpkin. To add a little more flair, I hot glued a glittery pumpkin embellishment to the center of the bow. This small detail gave the project an extra dimension!
Creative Tips:
Switch it up! One of the best parts about this project is how easy it is to change the look. There are endless patterns of scrapbook paper to choose from, so you can customize the pumpkin to match any decor style. Just grab some coordinating Dollar Tree ribbon to keep this craft budget-friendly and unique!
Don’t worry if you make a mistake! I actually ripped my paper on the top right, but I knew my bow would cover it up, so I wasn’t concerned.
You can get creative with the stem of the pumpkin! Add twine, rope, or sticks to give it extra texture. Just make sure your bow covers the base.
If you like, add a word or extra embellishments like a bat, spider, or even a cute fall phrase to make it even more personalized.
This project was super inexpensive to make, yet the final result looks anything but cheap! Whether you hang it on your front door or use it as wall decor, your buffalo check pumpkin will be the star of your fall decorations.
Just in case you’d like to check out any of the items I used for this project, I’ve linked some of the tools below. These are all items I personally use and recommend to make the crafting process a little easier!
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer:
The referral links provided above are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them – at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Sure Bonder corded dual temp glue gun, Click here: https://amzn.to/4deFXql
Mod Podge, click here: https://amzn.to/3BbraiE
Heat Gun, 1800W Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun Kit, click here: https://amzn.to/4eywV8p
Fiskars Self Healing Cutting Mat with Grid, click here: https://amzn.to/4gFivFq
Exacto knife, click here: https://amzn.to/3XTNVAK
Hand/finger Sander, click here: https://amzn.to/4ehzE6s
Quilling Tool, click here: https://amzn.to/3XCCI6b
Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if you try this project, and feel free to share your photos or thoughts.
Love, Tracy
#DollarTreeCrafts #DIYFallDecor #BuffaloCheckDecor #FallCrafts #PumpkinCrafts #ModPodgeCrafts #BudgetFriendlyDIY #HalloweenCrafts #EasyFallDecor #DollarTreePumpkinMakeover #tracystrendydecor #nanatracycrafts