I was going to make a few templates for carving pumpkins, painting on T-shirts and so on, when I thought: There are lots of sites out there with templates - why not show people how to make them? Carving pumpkins may be very crafty but surely doing everything from scratch has to be even better?

So that’s what I’m going to attempt. Understand, this isn’t for everyone; you’re going to need a good basic knowledge of computers and a good graphics application like PhotoShop or Paint Shop Pro (PSP). But you have the computer already or you wouldn’t be reading this - why not use it as the marvellous craft tool that it is?

Let’s begin by choosing a photograph. I selected a photo of Herman Munster as being suitably seasonal but you can use any full face picture, even one of yourself or a friend. Herman is particularly suitable, however, as his face is composed of very strong lines and shapes.

Open the photo file in your graphics package. I use PSP and trial versions of it can be downloaded from the net, so I’ll explain the steps from its point of view. They will be similar to Photoshop’s, however, and any differences will give you an excuse to learn how it does things (Help files are wonderful things if you use the Index). If the photograph is in color, go to Colors in the menu and select Grey Scale. This changes it to a black and white picture.

Now we need to simplify the outlines and this is easily done by choosing Colors again in the menu. Now select Adjust, followed by Brightness/Contrast. Make sure the Brightness is set to zero (so it will not change) and move the Contrast scale to its maximum, 100%. Click on OK and the picture will change to pure black and white with no shading.

We now have a photograph cut down to its essentials but it’s going to need more simplification before it can be used as a template. This is where the real skill and craft come in and I’m going to leave it for the next post, while you and I take a breather. If you really can’t wait, I should tell you that there are a number of ways to proceed from here so you could have a go at finding one of them. Remember, most good graphics programs have unlimited Undo these days, so you can always click back through changes if you make a mess.

There are only two more weeks to Halloween. The time leading up to it is exciting for children, the anticipation second only to that of Christmas.

To keep little hands busy until they can get them on that Halloween night candy, here are some crafts that are fun for kids and require only occasional parental supervision. From macaroni skeletons to windsock ghosts, this site has spooky ideas for kids of all ages. Check out the costume ideas for great spooky looks kids can create themselves. Also fun are the games and “rancid recipes” but the ghost stories might be too ghoulish for young children.

Halloween is Here.

Kids get excited about Halloween and in addition to gleefully planning their costumed appearances on neighbor’s doorsteps, they are also mentally calculating how much candy they can carry.

For small children, a little plastic pumpkin with a carry handle is about right. Older children plan on a larger take-home so they will enjoy making their own trick-or-treat bags.

When we were kids, we took paper sacks from the grocery store or pillowcases to maximize our candy-gathering capabilities.

For an updated pillowcase bag, check out the local fabric store for some ghoulish holiday designs.

You don’t really need a pattern if you are even moderately talented at sewing. Just measure and cut from the fabric 2 rectangles 26 1/2″ x 40 1/2″ with one long side along the selvage. With the pieces inside out and the selvage edges together, sew a seam 1/4″ from the fabric edge on three sides leaving 2 1/4″ inches unsewn at the top of the long selvage side. Make a fold of 1/4″ turning down over the wrong side of fabric and press with an iron. Then fold down another 2″ of fabric and press. You can then stitch the top fold down. Turn the bag right side out. You can then thread a cotton rope cord through the top fold using a large safety pin attached to one edge. Tie the ends together. This project is easy enough for kids to create and they will have a unique drawstring Halloween trick-or-treat bag.

I found some great fabrics for Halloween at corinthian mills.

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!