DIY Distressed Subway Art Pumpkin

Turn a plain pumpkin into rustic subway art with spray paint, stickers, and sandpaper for a charming distressed look.

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This DIY project transforms a large pumpkin, real or faux, into a piece of subway art. You'll apply stickers in a word-collage style, spray paint the pumpkin black, then remove the stickers and sand the surface for a worn, aged finish. It's a quick craft that adds farmhouse charm to your fall decor.

You'll need

1 large pumpkin (I picked my faux one up at Michaels)

various medium to large size scrapbook stickers (I got mine in the craft section at Marshall's)

large vinyl stickers

black spray paint

sandpaper

Directions

Peel off your stickers and arrange them on the pumpkin like subway art, spacing the words evenly across the surface. Press each sticker down firmly before moving on to painting.

Set the pumpkin with the sticker side up, then lightly spray a mist of black paint over the entire front for even coverage. This thin coat helps prevent paint from seeping under the stickers. Let it dry for a few minutes; add a second coat if needed.

Place the pumpkin on its base and spray paint the back and sides thoroughly, making sure to cover all areas.

Once the paint is completely dry, carefully peel off the stickers to reveal the letters.

Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly rub the entire pumpkin, creating a distressed, weathered look. For extra age, sand over the letter areas as well.