Introduction
Halloween decor doesn't always have to be dark and scary. To lighten the mood, transform a pumpkin into a vintage gumball machine and add a pop of color to your front porch.
Step 1
Remove Stem From Pumpkin
The first thing you want to do is cut the stem off of your pumpkin with a knife. Make sure you cut enough of the stem off so that the saucer will be able to rest on top of the pumpkin without wobbling.
Don't throw away the part of the stem your removed though, save it and you'll use it later.
Pro Tip
For safety reasons, always cut away from your body.
Step 2
Glue Saucer to Pumpkin
Using your glue gun, add a bead of glue around the rim of the saucer of the red planter. Place the saucer on top of the pumpkin where the stem used to be and press down for a few seconds until it feels secure.
Remember the stem you cut off? Add glue to the bottom of it and secure it to the top of the saucer so it looks like it grew from the pumpkin and right through the lid.
Pro Tip
Don't use too much glue on the saucer. The contact area between the lid and pumpkin is small so avoid excess and use a thin line of glue.
Step 3
Glue Planter to Pumpkin
Turn the red planter upside down and add a line of glue to the bottom of the planter. Lift the pumpkin and set it down on top of the base where you just added glue and press down for a few seconds until it feels secure.
Step 4
Glue Gumballs to Pumpkin
With the lid and base of your gumball machine on, you can see how much area of the pumpkin you have to cover with gumballs. Add a dot of glue to a gumball and start at the top. Try to go around the pumpkin in a straight line the best you can and be careful not to burn your fingers with the hot glue!
Pro Tip
I went with smaller gumballs, which took awhile to glue, but you can opt for larger gumballs to save time.
Step 5
Add Coin Slot and Opening
Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and using your black marker, trace a circle on the sheet. Write 25¢ in the center and then cut the circle out.
Next, draw an archway with your marker to serve as the opening where your gumballs will "slide out" and cut it out as well.
Use your glue once again and add a few dots to the back of the coin slot and archway and secure them to the red planter that is now the base of your gumball machine.
Pro Tip
Use anything around the house that is the right size to trace a perfect circle on the aluminum foil. I used a salt shaker but anything will do.
Step 6
Don't Eat It
As much as you may want to, you shouldn't eat the gumballs or allow others to. The glue I used is not edible and shouldn't be consumed.
