Pumpkin mat

Hands-on time: Under two hours, depending on the details.
Total time: Add three hours of drying time.
Skill: Easy and kid friendly.
Cost estimate: Average cost for a mat 70 cm x 85 cm is $18.00.

Materials & Tools

• Vinyl flooring (sold by the foot at major home renovation centers)
• Pencil
• Long steel ruler or measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Gesso (to use as a primer)
• Acrylic craft paints in assorted colours (Ceramcoat by Delta)
• Craft paintbrush 2.5 cm
• Smaller paint brushes for details and outlines
• Exterior clear high-gloss latex urethane
• Artist oil pastels in assorted colours (sold individually by the colour, they feel like fine chalk - I used Burnt Sienna, Indian Red, Turquoise Blue, and May Green by Holbein)

Autumn is always a great source of inspiration. Why not get a step-on-it and create a colourful and inviting pumpkin mat which is sure to add warmth to your entrance while welcoming your quests this fall.

Mixing mediums is the key to achieving this rustic look by combining bright acrylic paint colours and using oil pastels smudged over the dried design for innovative detailing on simple vinyl flooring. If you can carve a face on a pumpkin you can paint a pumpkin mat!

Measure the vinyl to the desired size and cut with a utility knife or strong cutters. Apply two base coats of Gesso with a paintbrush onto the backside of the vinyl. Allow each coat to dry for at least an hour in between coats. With a pencil, draw a freehand pumpkin outline with leaves at the top directly on the mat over the dried Gesso, or you may opt to cut a stencil of your design.

Using assorted acrylic colours, paint in your design with various paintbrushes. Blending and overlapping similar shades such as using three different shades of orange over each other as you go. Let each colour dry before apply the next one. Let the whole design dry before painting on the eyes, nose, mouth and outlines around the pumpkin using a fine paint brush.

Once your design is completely dry, use oil pastels to add shading and details on the pumpkin's face and leaves to add a three-dimensional effect. Smudge the oil pastels with your finger tip or a paper towel, use whatever feels most comfortable. Don't hesitate to try using contrasting colours; I used Turquoise Blue and May Green in the leaves and Indian Red and Burnt Sienna on the pumpkin.

Apply two to three coats of exterior latex urethane to the surface, allowing to dry between each coat. Let dry overnight. Using the cutters, cut around the pumpkin shape and the mat is ready to be displayed to greet your guests.

Tips

• You can apply non-skid backing (available at hardware stores) to the mat using double-faced tape.
• For a large mat you can use a paint roller to apply the paint to the vinyl.
• For maintenance, simply wipe the mat with a warm damp cloth. If necessary, mild soap or detergent can be used with a damp cloth.

Variations

• This project is an easy way to create amazing fall or holiday projects in any shape and size such as placemats, coasters or table runners.
• If you have a long hallway or pathway, make several mats in shapes of fall leaves and paint them in all different autumn colours or eerie spooky shapes like ghosts or bats for Halloween.
• Make a mat for your cat's or dog's eating area in any fun shape such as a bone, mouse or fish.
• Decorative holiday mats can also be used as wall decorations mounted with scotch double-stick tape or quality sticky tack.