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!

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