Layered Paper Pumpkin Frame
Create a beautiful, layered paper pumpkin to display this fall and Halloween season! Using cardstock, foam adhesive dots and my Cricut Design Space file, you can make a dimensional paper project that can be displayed on the wall or on a table using an easel.
Hello Crafty Friends! Autumn is right around the corner and this layered paper pumpkin frame is perfect for displaying all season long. This pumpkin is so versatile it could work for fall, Halloween and even Thanksgiving. I love to display my frame in an easel but it can also be hung on the wall depending on what space you have.
This paper pumpkin is made from three layers of paper separated with tiny foam dots which give it a lovely 3 dimensional look. I chose to use Bazzill cardstock in three different shades of orange. The stem of the pumpkin is added with brown cardstock and tied with a bit of twine.
The entire pumpkin is backed with a layer of chipboard, which I recommend if you plan to display the pumpkin in an easel. Without the chipboard I’ve found the paper will gradually start to lean backwards.
This paper pumpkin design was made using files from Cricut Design Space. You can use the file I created in Design Space and either use it as is, or adjust the size and color of the paper to fit your needs. My finished pumpkin measures 11.5″ tall by about 11″ wide and is a nice size to feature a photo in the center.
If you love creating layered paper crafts be sure to check out my other projects including other layered paper frames like my Holiday Ornament Frame or Paw Print Frame!
Layered Paper Pumpkin Frame
Choosing the Paper
For my layered paper projects, I like to choose a sturdy cardstock that is also solid core. Solid core means the paper is the same color on the outside as it is on the inside. White core, or printed cardstock, is paper that is colored on just the front and back and the inside is white. I find with the intricate cuts of the mandala design, that solid core cardstock gives a more polished look and there is no white visible that may distract from the design.
I used a combination of Bazzill textured and smooth cardstock that is 80lb. The sturdier cardstock will hold up better, especially if you display the pumpkin in an easel. I recommend using a layer of chipboard on the back of the pumpkin to give the frame even more structure and keep it from flopping over in an easel.
Supplies Needed:
- Cricut Design Space File – (updated link, sorry the first link didn’t work!)
- Cardstock – I used Bazzill 80lb paper in Carrot Cake, Citrus Slice, Pumpkin Patch and Walnut for the stem.
- Chipboard – I used Medium Weight 0.057 chipboard but my Explore was not able to cut all the way through it so I used a craft knife to finish cutting it.
- Foam Adhesive Dots
- Twine
- Craft Glue
- Display stand
- Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker
- Cricut Tools
- Standard Cutting Mat
- Cricut Brayer
Preparing the File in Cricut Design Space
I designed this pumpkin frame in Cricut Design Space using an image by Cricut Contributing Artist Kristin, of Printable Cuttable Creatables. My pumpkin frame measures 11.5″ tall by about 11″ wide with a 4″ circular photo opening. You can resize the pumpkin or change the colors of the layers. There are two optional layers included, a Chipboard Layer and a Photo Slice Layer that can be used to cut a photo.
Using your Cricut to Cut a Photo to Size
If you would like to have your cutting machine cut the photo using the “Print then Cut” feature, you can use the optional Photo Slice Layer to crop it. Start by uploading your photo into Cricut Design Space then insert the photo into the project. Hide the Pumpkin Frame group and move the photo behind the Photo Slice Layer. You can play around with the sizing of your photo until you like the way it looks in the opening of the pumpkin.
Next, highlight both the photo layer and the Photo Slice Layer and choose the slice tool. This will create several new slice result layers at the top of the layers panel. Delete all of the layers except the one with your circular photo.
The photo layer will then be ready for Cricut’s Print then Cut feature and can be cut using your Cricut!
Cutting the Paper Pumpkin
Once the file is ready, cut out all of the layers of paper using your machine. I cut the chipboard layer but my Cricut Explore was not able to cut all the way through the chipboard, even though I did run it through twice using a deep cut blade. To finish cutting it, I used a craft knife and a cutting mat to follow the outline of the pumpkin and finish cutting it out.
Preparing the Back of the Pumpkin Frame
If you are using chipboard, which I recommend if you will be displaying the frame in an easel or on a stand, attach the bottom layer of cardstock to the chipboard using craft glue.
Adhere the photo to this bottom layer of paper. Use one of the layers with the hole cut out to lightly draw where the photo should go, then attach the photo using adhesive.
Layering the Paper Pumpkin
Start with the top layer and add foam adhesive dots to the back of the layer. I like to add quite a few dots around the outer edges and fill in at the points where the paper intersects. Once you have covered the back with adhesive, apply the top layer to the middle layer. Tip: It helps to add the brown paper stem to the top layer using glue first before adding the adhesive dots.
Repeat for the middle layer, adding adhesive dots to the back of the layer. I find it best to add my dots in the same place from layer to layer. It’s tricky getting the little dots out of the adhesive sheets, so I use my weeding tool to help remove the paper from each dot and also the dots themselves!
Add a twine bow!
The final step is to wrap a bit of twine around the stem and attach a twine bow.
The paper pumpkin mandala is finished! Display the pumpkin frame in an easel as I did, or use ribbon and hang the pumpkin on the wall. This sweet craft makes a fun and festive fall decoration and a wonderful gift for family and friends!
Check out my other projects for Autumn including a fun Autumn Paint Palette Sign that can be made in Cricut Design Space. If you have a Cricut and are looking for your next project, head to my Cricut Design Space section for fun craft ideas!
