How to Repurpose Ping Pong Paddles as Pumpkins


Happy Wednesday, Friends! Recently I shared a whimsical pumpkin patch mantel that featured repurposed ping pong paddles. Whether your prefer the quilted, burlap, sheet music, or all three--today I'm going to show you how to create your own repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins! 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


Start with ping pong paddles and your choice of materials. I found vintage ping pong paddles at a yard sale but thrift stores are a good place to look too. Here, I'm showing the laminated burlap and sheet music I used for my neutral colored pumpkins. If you prefer more traditional colors, pretty scrapbook paper could be used as well. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


Trace the bottom portion of the paddle onto the paper or burlap. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


As I've mentioned before, with vintage pieces like this, I prefer not to alter them permanently which is why I often use craft adhesive squares or glue dots that can be removed if desired. After cutting your traced paper, attach it to the paddle with your choice of adhesive. I used craft squares for the sheet music and burlap.


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins
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Here's how the sheet music pumpkin looked before I embellished the handle. Follow the same steps for the laminated burlap pumpkin. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins







To decorate the handles as stems, raid your craft stash! Wrapping ribbon, jute twine or raffia around the handles works well. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


For my stems, I used a combination of lace, burlap ribbon, jute twine, and raffia. I also had some leaves that were natural wood on one side and burlap on the other that I tied to mine before I arranged them on the mantel.


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


To create the quilted pumpkin, wrap strips of quilt scraps around the paddle. This time, decorate the rough red side and attach glue dots every few rows on the smooth back side to secure the quilt scraps. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


Last, wrap jute twine around the handle and tie to secure it. 


repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins



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repurposed ping pong paddle pumpkins


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  1. Clever and adorable. I like that you finished each one differently.

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  2. These are so cute! I have sold these in my shop. Maybe the buyer was repurposing them too!

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  3. Quick, easy and cute! Now that's my kind of craft!

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  4. So cute! I would have never thought of that. I love seeing the way your creative mind works:)

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  5. I love how you didn't "destroy" the vintage value by temporarily attaching the decorating. Sometimes I cringe when someone paints old wood that is still in good condition. Got a Salvation Army sweater twinset that I am going to make little pumpkins with! Have one Halloween sign and 1 picture up so far!

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