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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 1, 2013

5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ DIY Pumpkin Clock

It’s October first!! Sigh…I love October so very much. My son and I went on a walk last night and the air was crisp, the leaves were falling and we could hear the sound of the high-school band in the distance playing during a football game.

Perfection.

A Pumpkin Clock that actually works from atthepicketfence.com

We are so excited about it being the first week of October that we are going to celebrate the first 5 days of the month by showing you 5 Pumpkins 5 Ways followed by a Pumpkin Themed Linky Party right here on October 7th!

Five Pumpkins Five Ways

To kick things off I’m going to show you how to make a Pumpkin Clock.

Yep. You read that right.

I had a totally different pumpkin craft planned for today but that ended up being a complete and utter project FAIL!

So, what do you do when you know Pumpkin week is coming up and the clock is ticking?

Why, you make a Pumpkin Clock of course!

Here’s what you will need to make your own Pumpkin Clock:

How to make a Pumpkin Clock supplies from atthepicketfence.com

 

Step 1: Using a serrated knife or pumpkin carving tool, cut a hole in the bottom of a foam pumpkin large enough to put your hand through.

Step 2: Determine the “face” side of your pumpkin and the location of the clock hands. Make a small hole by tapping on a screwdriver with a hammer.

Step 3: Insert the clock mechanism (make sure to put the battery in first!) and feel around until you locate the hole. Insert the tip of the mechanism through the hole.

Step 4: Attach the clock hands according to package directions.

Step 5: Stencil numbers with paint or attach number stickers.

Step by step instructions for making a pumpkin clock from atthepicketfence.com

Now, all you have to do is set it to the right time and jump up and down with excitement when you hear the “ticking” and realize that it actually worked!

Well, I guess the jumping up and down part is optional. šŸ˜‰

Pumpkin with working clock and stenciled numbers from atthepicketfence.com

I don’t know what it is about this project but I feel a special kinship with this pumpkin clock.

Maybe it’s because it’s so simple.

Maybe because I love fall and I love being punctual which makes it the perfect combination.

Maybe it’s because after my complete pumpkin project fail it was nice to have an idea actually work.

Maybe it’s because my kids thought it was super cool which is the ultimate seal of approval.

Working pumpkin clock from atthepicketfence.com

Whatever the reason, I love my little pumpkin clock.

And I think it might love me back! šŸ˜‰

Be sure to come back tomorrow when Heather will be sharing the next Pumpkin Project in our series!

Five Pumpkins Five Ways

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46 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Crafts, Good Ideas Tagged With: crafts, fall crafts, fall decor, fall Decorating, pumpkin, pumpkin crafts, pumpkins

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says

    October 1, 2013 at 5:05 AM

    very cool – would have never thought of that!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:15 AM

      Thanks Cheryl! šŸ™‚
      Vanessa

      Reply
  2. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    October 1, 2013 at 5:38 AM

    So cute! Spotted this on Pinterest and headed right on over to check out this fabulous idea!

    šŸ™‚ Linda

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:16 AM

      Thanks Linda! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    So creative, girls! LOVE LOVE LOVE this fall project! I’m working on a pumpkin craft right now to link up on the 7th! You two are an inspiration gold mine!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:18 AM

      Hahaha! I don’t know about a gold mine Yvonne but thanks so much for your sweet words! Can’t wait to see your pumpkin craft! šŸ™‚
      Vanessa

      Reply
  4. Judy says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    What a great project! I love it!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:18 AM

      Thanks Judy! I’ll be by later to link it up to your party! šŸ™‚
      Vanessa

      Reply
  5. Cindy says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    So cute! Great way to use a pumpkin, I love it!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:17 AM

      Thanks so much Cindy!

      Reply
  6. Nana Diana says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    YOU are SUCH a clever girl. That is about the cutest pumpkin thing I have seen this Fall. I love it! xo Diana

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 7:17 AM

      Awwww…thanks so much Diana! I have my moments here and there but probably won’t have another one for awhile. LOL! šŸ˜‰
      Vanessa

      Reply
  7. Thistle says

    October 1, 2013 at 7:13 AM

    Love the pumpkin clock and I LOVE a pumpkin linky party!!!!!

    I have a great pumpkin to link up. šŸ™‚

    Happy day rock stars!
    karianne

    Reply
  8. Martina says

    October 1, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    What a super cute idea Vanessa!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 8:21 AM

      Thanks Martina!! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Carol Reddin says

    October 1, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    So cute! Ah, fall, you’ve always loved this time of the year! Are your “Mulled Cider” candles burning?? Love, Mom

    Reply
  10. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    October 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Waay too cute Vanessa…definitely the most unique pumpkin I have seen!!!…Love it!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 11:46 AM

      Thank you Shirley!! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  11. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

    October 1, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    This is too stinkin’ cute! I love that it works too! Pinning & sharing!

    Reply
  12. Sandy says

    October 1, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    Vanessa! You hit a home-run with this one! I’ve been seeing all kinds of pumpkin projects in blogland but this one takes-the-cake! And…..your tutorial makes it look so…..easy. I just may have to make a pumpkin clock now. See what you started! A new trend…..

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 1, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Thanks so much Sandy! It really is easy to do and you’ll have to let me know if you make one! šŸ™‚
      Vanessa

      Reply
  13. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    October 1, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    This is SO fun!! I love it and pinning!

    Reply
  14. sheri says

    October 2, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Hi girlie šŸ™‚ Love this – haven’t been in a blogland for awhile, missed you!

    Reply
  15. kristin says

    October 2, 2013 at 1:46 PM

    OK I am in absolute love with this idea!!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 2, 2013 at 2:59 PM

      Thanks sweet friend! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  16. Heather says

    October 5, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    So cute and fun! Pinned!

    Reply
  17. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    October 5, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    So cute & creative! I love this idea.

    Reply
  18. TidyMom says

    October 6, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    such a fun and super creative idea!!

    Thanks for linking up ! I featured your post in my wrap up https://tidymom.net/2013/15-pumpkin-projects/

    Have a great rest of the weekend!

    Reply
  19. Christy @ Our Southern Home says

    October 7, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    In love with this adorable idea! Just share with my FB page readers! ~Christy

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 7, 2013 at 9:06 PM

      Thanks so much Christy!

      Reply
  20. Cindy Eikenberg says

    October 8, 2013 at 3:47 AM

    Wow, I absolutely LOVE this, Vanessa!!! Such an adorable and creative idea! Thank you so much for sharing! Pinning and sharing today…need to put this on my own must-make list! šŸ™‚ Have a fabulous Tuesday!

    Reply
  21. Inspire Me Heather says

    October 8, 2013 at 4:50 AM

    Your pumpkin clock is so sweet, what a wonderful idea!!

    Reply
  22. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    October 11, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    Loving everything about this!!

    Reply
  23. Christie says

    October 17, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    Do you remember what thickeness clock hands you used? I see 3/4 and 1/4 inch options!

    Reply
    • Ashley S. Davidson says

      September 7, 2014 at 1:43 PM

      Hi Christie! I know you commented a year ago but since you never received a response, I thought I’d reply to you. I was wondering the same thing last week while I was standing at Michael’s and was disappointed when this blog post didn’t have the answer.

      I had the exact same craft pumpkin (9″ white) at home from Michael’s when I saw this and decided to convert it to a clock… anyway, I ended up buying the 3/4″ thickness clock mechanism and praying it would work. It certainly did! The 1/4″ width would definitely not have worked with this particular craft pumpkin.

      Anyway, my finished result: https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12279_10204861257516643_5283451797616905495_n.jpg?oh=3ed2da7f7d86de372e3ec5c0fb7b1a98&oe=549C01B3 (photo from Facebook) I used fabric flowers to “number” the clock face. I had my hot glue gun out to attach them but I ended up just poking holes right in the pumpkin and sticking them in! I love a simple craft that doesn’t even involve rinsing out paint brushes afterward!

      On that note, I’m also wondering (on this year-old blog post): what did you use to distress/discolor the clock? I love the aged look. Thanks!

      Reply
      • At The Picket Fence says

        September 7, 2014 at 7:44 PM

        Hi Ashley! My apologies for not including the width of the clock hands and also not seeing the question from Christie. Thank you for replying to her! šŸ™‚ I used a gold colored craft paint to ‘age’ the pumpkin and simply did a wash type treatment by rubbing it on and then wiping it back off again so it would settle a bit in the creases. Hope that helps and I’m loving your version of the project!

        Reply
  24. Janet says

    September 21, 2014 at 5:20 AM

    I am so bummed right now. I got the wrong size clock mechanism. Had the worst time trying to make it work. Decided to check the comments to see if I missed something. I didn’t even realize there were different size mechanisms. Blinded by my excitement. Oh well now I know and can fix it. Still very excited.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ white & gold decoupage pumpkins - At The Picket Fence says:
    October 2, 2013 at 4:32 AM

    […] you missed it, be sure to see Vanessa’s Clock Pumpkin she shared with us yesterday and we hope you’ll join us next Monday for a Pumpkin Linky […]

    Reply
  2. Dashing Pumpkins- 15 Great Looks - Petticoat Junktion says:
    October 3, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence […]

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  3. Five Minute Crafts: Decorating Pumpkins with Stickers - At The Picket Fence says:
    October 4, 2013 at 4:31 AM

    […] created a unique and fun Pumpkin Clock, Heather created glamorous White and Gold Decoupage Pumpkins and yesterday Vanessa and her daughter […]

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  4. Feathered Owl Pumpkin ~ It's a Hoot! - At The Picket Fence says:
    October 4, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    […] Or my working Pumpkin Clock? […]

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  5. 5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ Burlap Pumpkin Basket - At The Picket Fence says:
    October 5, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] DIY Pumpkin Clock, White and Gold Decoupage Pumpkins, Feathered Owl Pumpkin and 5 Minute Sticker Pumpkin […]

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  6. 15 Pumpkin projects | TidyMom says:
    October 6, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    […] tutorial at I Should Be Mopping the Floor | DIY Copper Glitter Pumpkins tutorial at Homework | A DIY Pumpkin Clock tutorial At the Picket […]

    Reply
  7. It's a Pumpkin Linky Party! - At The Picket Fence says:
    October 7, 2013 at 4:02 AM

    […] On Day 1 Vanessa showed how to make thisĀ DIY Pumpkin Clock […]

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  8. 17 DIY Projects to Spookify Your Halloween | ServiceAlley Blog says:
    October 15, 2013 at 8:11 AM

    […] 10. Pumpkin Clock […]

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  9. 15 Ideas DIY para decorar calabazas en Halloween | Craft+Co. | Creatividad, inspiraciones y compras en Internet says:
    October 19, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    […] 12. La calabaza que te da la hora. Y es que esta hortaliza no solo sirve para dar un toque de terror a la noche de Halloween, por lo que te proponemos este reloj para hacer en casa.(VĆ­a: At the Picket Fence) […]

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The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

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Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
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ā€œWho can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.ā€ (Corrie Ten Boom)
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! šŸ‚
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Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
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For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

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