Create punchy patterned pumpkins with tissue paper shapes and Mod Podge! With a few simple steps, your Silhouette cutting machine can cut tissue paper! We used the AutoBlade for Cameo 4 on our Cameo 4, but you should be able to receive the same results with other versions of the machine. What’s your favorite way to decorate pumpkins? Are you more of a traditionalist or all about bright colors?

Supplies Needed:

Step One: Preparing Your Material

This is a way to cut tissue paper cleanly with your Silhouette cutting machine and avoid any tearing issues from peeling it off your mat.

1. Place a piece of 12-by-12-inch cardstock on your cutting mat. Coat the top of the paper with your repositionable glue stick (different glue sticks will often say Craft Bond on them).

2. Then lay a piece of tissue paper cut to 12 by 12 inches on top of the cardstock coated with glue. Smooth out with your scraper tool so it is stuck securely to the cardstock.

3. Insert your mat into your cutting machine.

Step Two: Formatting Your Designs

1. I used various Flexishapes (available in Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition) and a handful of abstract designs in the Design Store. Feel free to customize these to your liking, but I linked the ones I purchased from the Design Store above. Insert your desired designs into Silhouette Studio® and size them appropriately for your pumpkins.

2. Under your Send panel, set your material to the appropriate weight of cardstock you’re using. I generally use Cardstock, Textured – Heavy (80lb). Press Send to have your Silhouette machine cut the designs. The heavy pressure will ensure the tissue paper won’t raise up when cutting.

3. Unload your mat and gently remove your tissue paper shapes with the spatula tool. The glue will hold the designs in place while cutting but will easily allow you to lift them off once the cut is complete.

4. Repeat this process for all your tissue paper colors.

Step Three: Applying Your Designs to Your Pumpkins

1. Paint a thin coat of Mod Podge onto your pumpkin, just larger than the design you’re about to apply.

2. Place your tissue paper design onto the pumpkin and smooth out to eliminate bubbles. Top with another thin coat of Mod Podge.

3. Repeat with more shapes and colors, overlapping some slightly for a layered look.

4. Let dry. Paint stems if desired.

5. Decorate your porch with your punchy pumpkins and celebrate the season!