There’s nothing like Autumn in New England. Nightfall comes earlier each day, and the cool, crisp air gently rustles red and orange leaves that crunch under your feet. The roadside farmstands sell Indian Corn and squash and apple cider.

And pumpkins. Lots of pumpkins. Every house must have at least one, and come Halloween, jack o’ lanterns will glare and wink out from every doorway at wary trick-or-treaters.

Pumpkin carving is a fun and creative craft for the whole family. Whether you make your own designs or use patterns to create frightening faces, vampire visages or whimsical welcomers, carving your pumpkin can become a family tradition.

When picking out your pumpkins, remember that lighter color pumpkins are softer and are easiest to carve. Whether small or large, choose a pumpkin with a shape that will accomodate your design well.
Before carving, wash any dirt off the pumpkin and let dry.

Prepare for carving by cleaning out the inside of the pumpkin. Cut the top of the pumpkin in a circle around the stem and pull the top off using the stem as your handle. Then remove the soft guts and seeds using a strong-handled spoon or an ice cream scoop. Leave the inside wall of the pumpkin smooth and not too thick. You can save the seeds to roast for a hot treat or to dry and plant next year for your own pumpkin patch.

Purchasing a carving tool set will make the project a lot easier than trying to use kitchen knives. Also available is a battery powered carving tool that will make carving quicker and easier.

Little ones can draw a face on their own small pumpkins that you can carve out for them. Another cool way for them to make their own pumpkin faces is with special facial feature stickers that let them create funny or spooky faces. Never let young children use the carving tools.

If you are an accomplished pumpkin carver, try using a carving design pattern. I found great patterns available for free at (where else?) Pumpkin Master. Download free designs and get tips for creating your pumpkin masterpiece.

Here are some other sites with free carving patterns

SpookMaster

Fabulous Foods

Rock N Roll Heaven Collection

The Pumpkin Wizard

And don’t forget the tea light candles!

I’m on vacation this week, but don’t worry, I’m swatting up on great crafts to bring you on my return in a few days.

Stay tuned for some terrific ideas for the fall/autumn season and the runup to Christmas and all the festive holidays.

Duncan Cairncross

Summer is a fun time to do crafts as a family.  It is also a good time to think about crafts for decorating in the fall and as gifts for the holidays.  Many crafts can be put together by the materials we gather from evening walks; summer brings us a large and very available craft shop – the great outdoors provides us with a lot of materials at no cost at all (but don’t pick your neighbor’s flowers!)

This romantic and cheery wreath will fit into many decors.  It isn’t difficult to make and just requires a few supplies, some imagination, and a little bit of time.  It can be used outdoors or inside.  Have fun and try some different ideas for totally different looks.  I know you will be happy with the results.

Spanish Moss Wreath

Nothing to do this weekend?  It is still hot; I think it is hot everywhere now and staying inside in the air conditioning and doing some family crafts seems right up my alley.  Brave the heat long enough to go up to the hardware store and pick out some pretty tiles.  Get large enough ones to work on the surface, say a foot square or so, and then head to the craft store and pick up some decoupage and a clear sealant.  The rest is going to come from things in your own home and your imagination.

Old photographs are a nice touch on these tiles.  Glue the photograph down and run your hand or something over it to remove any bubbles.  Many decoupages are meant to use as the glue and will bubble less; I prefer those.  Just be sure to remove the air bubbles from under the picture.  You can use magazine photos, antique photographs, seed packets (just the front layer)… anything you like. 

Once it is sealed on, follow the instructions on the decoupage bottle and then on the sealant container.  Be sure you are in a well ventilated room.  Then you can attach hangers and display your work or you can use them as trivets for hot plates (don’t put anything too hot on it to protect the photograph if it means a great deal to you).  I would recommend if the photograph is one of a kind and cannot be replaced, that you spend a few dollars and have it photostated by a professional photocopying service and save the original in a safe place.

These tiles will make great gifts and a great memory of a fun day.  These crafts are easy, inexpensive and totally individual to each crafter.