(Freebie)Thanksgiving Paper Pumpkin for Decor/Place Card

Now here's a pumpkin that will last and last. These paper pumpkins are great for a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table or buffet. Put them in holders of various heights for a nice presentation. Even a cake plate would work. We placed them in our "dollar tree" cupcake stands. They are the perfect size. To make these a place card holder just cut out a white scallop tag and write your family/guests names. There are 12 free "Give Thanks" tags to place upon the pumpkins.

Our Thanksgiving tags will return next Thanksgiving 2013

We used double-sided scrapbook paper so a color/design shows through on the inside.  We cut 12 strips   7" tall x 1" wide.  Punch a small hole in each end.  We inked the edges of the strips but this is an optional step. We bought both scrapbook papers at Archivers  The acorn print paper can be found HERE and the orange print can be found HERE  Buy it online or ask for it at your local craft/scrapbook paper store.

Choose two brads that match your scrapbook paper. Put one in each end. Then bend the strips in the middle (so it looks like a capital C) Then start making the circle by pulling out each strip.

This is what the pumpkin will look like when you've got all the strips pulled into a circle.

We used the EK Success leaf punch for this project. (Find it HERE and HERE) The leaf measures 2 1/4" top to bottom and side to side. If you want your leaves to be two different colors just cut out two leaves, (2 colors) Cut one of the leaves in half  and glue on a a whole leaf. Then score or fold the leaf down the middle and on the sides. We inked the leaves in a chestnut brown ink.

If you don't have a leaf punch you could either draw and cut out your own or use silk leaves. Real leaves is a good option too.

You could use all one color for your leaves or multiple colors. Choose colors that match the pumpkin paper. They don't necessarily have to be green. We used the brad as an anchor for the stem, leaves and tendrils.

Cut out the stem 6" x 1/2" and curl as shown above.  Cut tendrils 1/8" to 1/2"  x 6" (depending on what you like) and wrap around a pencil to curl it.  The pumpkin measures 16" around and 4" tall, without the stem and 6" tall, with the stem. You can make these pumpkins larger if you like, just cut the strips a little longer.

There are 12 different "Give Thanks" Tags for you to choose from. Just back each tag with a 2" scallop or round punched paper. Ink before putting it together. We used foam tabs to attach the tag pieces to each other. 

We've made up 12 Thanksgiving tags and want to share with everyone.  We cut the white tag using a 1 1/2" scallop circle. The back piece is cut out of a 2" scallop circle. You can use round punches too.

Here is our second sample. We used a piece of scrapbook paper that was double sided and flipped every other strip to get this look.  You may want to bend the leaves a little so they hug the pumpkin. Here is my inspiration for the pumpkins.