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Tag: pumpkin carving


halloween fun 2024

25
October

carved blue pumpkin

Although I’m not a big Halloween fan, I usually will carve a pumpkin or two – or, create something in the Halloween spirit.

evergreen

This year, my pumpkin was carved in a little less than traditional manner.  I used wood carving tools rather than a knife.  Carving in this manner is much easier and, I think, can be more interesting.

carving blue pumpkin

I was inspired by an evergreen tree in my yard.  The tree has the traditional needles and tons of little mini pine cones.  My idea was to carve the pumpkin with ‘needles’ and then add some of the pine cones from my tree.

carving pumpkin

I purchased what is called a blue pumpkin, rather than an orange one, to complete the task.  Because the blue heirloom pumpkin looked almost green, I thought it would work well as my ‘evergreen’ pumpkin.

pumpkin carving

blue pumpkin carving

I used woodworking tools to carve the needles.  I had planned on adding the pine cones with straight pins, but I began to wonder if the pumpkin would not live as long with holes punched in it!  With this in mind, after I finished carving, I ended up using my glue gun to add the pine cones.

evergreen pumpkin

I have to say, using the woodworking tools is much easier on the hands than the traditional method of carving through the pumpkin with a knife!

pumpkin with pinecones

After I completed my pumpkin, I carved a few baby boos to use at place settings for an upcoming brunch.  I love little white baby boos!  I did a little bit of carving and added a ribbon.  I did end up adding some pins on these little guys – some pretty gold ones!

baby boo white carved

white baby boo

In the Halloween spirit, I also created some favors for my brunch.  I made some butter cookies in the shape of candy corn and packaged them in the holiday theme!  Why are they not the traditional yellow and orange?  Well, I made them totally organic – so I couldn’t use red dye!  I used organic cocoa to create color variations.

packaging candy corn

So, that’s the extent of my Halloween preparations!  I hope you are also creating something fun!

candy corn cookies

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comment » | diy, holiday

squash whisperer

30
October

carving large squash

I am a little bit of a Food Network junkie.  There, I said it!  I admit it…when my TV is on for background noise, I have it tuned in to either HGTV or Food Network.

barn detail pumpkin

So, squash carver Gus Smithhisler is someone I have admired in the past.  His squash creations are pretty amazing and I love watching him carve.

gus master pumpkin carver

The process of creating a design in squash is really fun to watch and I was thrilled to get a chance to watch Gus in action!

Gus in squash process

Since it is Halloween week, in the spirit of the holiday, I’d like to share  photos of the pumpkin I watched Gus create.  He carved this design into a 600+ lb. pumpkin, not on “Halloween Wars,” but at this year’s Country Living Fair in Atlanta, Georgia.

final pumpkin

I hope Gus inspires you to step up your pumpkin carving game!

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on squash whisperer | garden

coastal jack-o-lanterns

28
October

coastal pumpkins

pumpkin carving 2012

Well, Halloween is not that far away so I thought I would share some of this year’s pumpkin creations.  I say ‘some’ because I have not yet finished carving…I have my largest pumpkin and a couple small ones left to carve before Wednesday.  As you can see, I have a coastal theme going.  I never was one for ghosts or goblins…

seahorse jack-o-lantern

I can’t even watch a scary movie!

fish jack-o-lantern

A photo of some of this year’s coastal theme jack-o-lanterns.

With the kids grown, I am no longer carving pumpkins to cater to their tastes.  (Although I have to admit, last year I carved a pumpkin with  “T-Shirt Time” for my daughter to display in her college apartment.)

coastal jack-o-lanterns

Carving pumpkins is almost therapeutic…don’t you think?

coastal jack-o-lanterns

I will be collecting some seeds too…the good friend that gave me my favorite white pumpkin is planning on using the seeds to grow some white pumpkins of her own for next year.   And, my daughter requested some roasted pumpkin seeds for her visit home on Thanksgiving.

coastal pumpkin carving

A photo of some of this year’s coastal jack-o-lanterns.

So, these are my jack-o-lanterns so far…(haven’t even taken the drill out yet!)

jack-o-lanterns by the sea

Enjoy your Halloween!  Have a safe one!

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

2 comments » | sand & sea

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