Pumpkin Patch Sign from a Wooden Paper Plate Holder

I’ll be honest with you- a wooden paper plate holder was not something I grew up with. Paper plates, yes, but designated wooden holders for them? Nope, not at all. There wasn’t much primitive country decor in my childhood home, so that’s probably why. Fast forward to my days as an upcycling blogger, though, and I couldn’t snap this one up fast enough! Because I had an upcycling idea to transform it into a pumpkin patch sign for Fall.

Now, you may be thinking. HOW WILL THIS EVER BECOME FALL DECOR?

But when you turn it around to the “back”, it had a very pumpkin-esque shape!

Ironically, I’ve made another pumpkin project with a different type of paper plate holder, but it was for Halloween!

But, of course, that one was more of a liner or charger.

Either way, back to the wooden version- it seemed like an inexpensive experiment to try! And, well, you know how much I love autumn and simply can’t say “no” to a potential pumpkin project…

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Upcycling a Wooden Paper Plate Holder for Fall

First, I gave it a pumpkin makeover, using orange chalk paint.

It’s the same color I used last year for my pumpkin tray project that turned out so well.

Next, I gathered a leafy green and a caramel brown craft paint for the stems. 

And yes, somewhere along the way, I found a SECOND paper plate holder at a thrift store.

As you can see, I cut off the top of the “stem” from the second paper plate holder before painting, as well.

All of a sudden, the wooden paper plate holders were looking much more pumpkin-esque, post makeover.

Now that my wooden paper plate holders (and future pumpkin patch signs) were painted, I wanted to put the actual holders (other side) to use!

Making a Pumpkin Patch Sign

So, my plan was to add a brick of wet floral foam in the holder from which leafy stems could be inserted. This would give my pumpkins a more still-on-the-vine pumpkin patch look.

I purchased two bricks of floral wet foam– even though I wasn’t going to use it for real flowers, I like the “mold-ability” of wet foam. I figured that I could crunch and press (i.e., mold) it to fit each wooden paper plate holder.

First, however, I took one additional step that is totally optional. After I molded the foam bricks to fit each wooden paper plate holder, I wrapped them in brown paper bags.

I thought it would look a little neater, and keep that dreaded “floral foam dust” from getting everywhere.

Now to give it a pumpkin patch look!

I used some green maple leaves from Michaels as my greenery, cutting them to size with my wire cutters. Doesn’t that look cute?

Even though I liked how it looked just as it was, I knew a little stenciling would put it over the top.

And let’s face it, what’s cuter than a pumpkin sign this time of year?

So, I found the perfect stencil to transform it into a pumpkin patch sign, and got to work.

Note- the paper bag-wrapped foam block and pumpkin leaves slides in and out with ease, making it easy to stencil even after I had cut all the greenery!

After I carefully stippled and swirled on my paint, I lightly sanded the entire thing to “rough it up” a bit, aging the lettering and the wooden edges.

Pumpkin Patch Sign from a Wooden Paper Plate Holder

Finally, I buffed on some clear wax to seal it and make the colors a little richer and that was it! I placed the floral foam bag and greenery back inside and my pumpkin patch sign was done.

Perfect pumpkin decorations for Fall that had a primitive country decor feel.

Isn’t that wild? My pumpkin patch sign turned out delightfully and the best part is, it could still be a paper plate holder year-round!

I just love turning things into pumpkins at this time of year; I just can’t get enough of them. In fact, I even made a few versions in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, too!

And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for fall pumpkins, then you’ll love this collection of upcycling ideas for upcycled pumpkins!

Craft on!

S

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