Thursday, September 25, 2008

Pumpkin Fun!

Is she not the cutest thing?

I think all babies seem to be called "pumpkin" because they just look happy and bright like one.

I got her photo in e-mail today in my "Better Home & Garden Magazine" newsletter which was about their feature "100 Days of Holidays," which was full of fun Halloween ideas. I've been hanging on to summer up to now, but I think I'm finally ready to embrace autumn and all the fun it brings.

The magazine's web site had carving ideas galore!



If you'd like to practice caving a pumpkin they have a virtual pumpkin you can carve and save to send as an e-card. There is no messy seeds to remove, and if you make a mistake you can start over, a fun activity that kept me busy for awhile!

Aren't the monogrammed pumpkins shown above an elegant idea?
I thought of you when I saw this Mrs B, as I know how much you love monograms!



This effect was interesting. They used an apple corer to core out pieces of three different colored pumpkins and them mixed the plugs that are removed for and replaced them into the holes for a polka dot effect. Some other ideas on how to use a corer, and also a metal biscuit cutter and rubber mallet, to make special effects are at this same BH&G link.


The very best idea I thought that BH&G had, however, was etched black painted pumpkins. You can watch a video that describes how to do this (after a short commercial).

This idea could be saved for Thanksgiving to make an unusual centerpiece.



Do you have some fun pumpkin ideas that you'd like to share? Please let me know if you blog about them.


Cori over at Gingerbread Crumbs and Company gave me this cute award! Thank you so much Cori! It was so sweet of you!

I am supposed to pass it on to five bloggers who comment on my blog. I could never choose just five as so many of you are nice enough to leave a comment here so often, so to try something different I'm going to say that the first five people that comment on this blog post can please consider it yours!

31 comments:

Baby Vagabond said...

Oh my goodness! I need to put Lola in a pumpkin. How cute is that! I love the pumpkins with polka dots. I'll have to pass this post on to Lola's Mom :-)

((hugs)) Rosie

I sent your package today. You should get it Tuesday :-) Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

I love Halloween decorations! I think I enjoy decorating more for Fall/Halloween than for Christmas---I guess it's because that is pretty much all I have to do--just decorate. No gifts to buy and wrap, no cards to send out, no hustle and bustle. Just pumpkin picking and carving and decorating! Then, just enjoying the decorations!!! Oh, and eating the treats I buy for the trick or treaters and having to go out and buy more because I ate them all up!! dana

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
Love your pumpkin pictures. I have to say if I had time, I would copy the first one and put Cooper in it! LOL

I also love the polka dots!
diane

imjacobsmom said...

Thanks for posting these cute ideas! ~ Robyn

Strider said...

Wow....artists inhabit all phases of life don't they. I love the pumkin art. I got an e-mail the other day on a guy who does sidewalk art....unbelievable talent.

Lavinia said...

What lovely photos. Some of those polka dots look blue. I wonder if that is just my monitor?

THat baby in the pumpkin is the cutest thing, you are right!

I love looking at creative things done with jack o lanterns. One year I used a stencil of a witch on a broom and carved it like that, it turned out so nice.

Ah, the joys of autumn! Great pics....

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great pumpkin ideas! I especially like the polka dot ones!
Penny

nanatrish said...

That baby looks adorable! Such interesting looking pumpkins. I also like the polka dots and the monograms.

Vee said...

(I've been here before and lost a comment. I don't know about Blogger these days.)

That baby is adorable! My favorite pumpkin decorations are the polka dotted ones, but I'd cheat and paint them on. :D

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

I love the polka dot pumpkins and the monogram ones--kinda classy pumpkins! Thanks for the inspiration to decorate for fall.
Rhonda

Proud Italian Cook said...

Great ideas here Pat, my favorite is the monogram, I love it! You're putting me in an autumm mood even though it was 80 today!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!
Darling pumpkins! And you'll have your own little "pumpkin" one of these days soon!! How exciting! My big sister used to call me Punkin even as an adult and I always thought that was so sweet of her.
Those pumpkins in the big urns look so classy don't they?
Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Sherry

Mrs. B said...

Oh Pat, you were so right! I LOVE those monogrammed pumpkins! I definitely think I want to try some of those this year! I love BHG's 100 Days of Holidays. I used to receive their newsletter but I haven't gotten it in a while. I guess I should sign up again because it used to have such great ideas and pictures. And that baby in the pumpkin is just adorable! There's just something about babies and pumpkins that go together.

Also, I have to tell you, I don't usually come for a visit with the sound turned on, but it is today and you have such a pretty piece of music playing on your playlist (the one from Edward Scissorhands)!

Kathy said...

Pat, the baby in the Pumpkin is so cute, I love all these ideas, the Polka dots and the different coloured Pumpkins are wonderful. hugs, Kathy

Joanne Kennedy said...

I've done those carving kits before. THey make it very easy to do.

I love the black ones. This year I'm doing all black and white for Halloween.

Hugs,
Joanne

Anonymous said...

It is too early for Halloween:)
Let's celebrate Thanksgiving first..

Anonymous said...

Ooo don't you just want to kiss those baby thighs!

Congratulations on your awards.

steviewren said...

I wonder if my grandson would sit still for a pumpkin photo....I must speak with my daughter in law about this....he would probably never forgive us if we did this too him...but isn't the baby in that 1st shot cute.

Just A Girl said...

HI Pat,
I hope everything is going well over at your end of this beautiful US of A. I have been so busy the last week and a half that I haven't had much time to stop by, but I must say, "I love Ice dance!" It's one of my favorite songs.
This looks like a fun pumpkin issue. Maybe hubby and I will need to stop at the book store later and pick up a copy.
Is it looking like Autumn there? Yesterday we had a high of 94. I hate the heat.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Now I'm off to read about your polenta. I always thought that was a Spanish dish.
XO Cori

Picket said...

Morning girl...that baby is adorable!!! Love all the pumkin pics and thanks for the great info on them! The weather is actually nice down here now & it feels so good to wake up in the mornings and it be so cool you can open the door and let the breeze come threw the screen door out back...I love this kiind of weather! Have a great weekend girl!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, how adorable. I love all of the pumpkins.

I am going to have to try the polenta dish.

Willow said...

Cute ideas! I think The New Boy would look adorable in a pumpkin. I'll have to ask his mama if I can borrow him for a photo shoot.

Polenta and cauliflower~mmmm. Gotta go to the store NOW and get cauliflower and make that polenta!

So glad Bunny arrived safely. I hope he wasn't too hungry as I forgot to pack a carrot for his snack :)

Donna said...

Ooooo, love all the pumpkin ideas! They're great, especially the polka dots!

Have a great weekend, Pat!

Hugs,
Donna

Judy said...

You have me inspired to get decorating for fall. I'm off to find some pumpkins for my front porch!

Susie Q said...

Weren't these just the best pumpkins?? I loved the mongramed ones.
Gosh but I lkove this time of year!

Love,
Sue

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I just love halloween pumpkins! One of the best things about fall! Great, inspiring post!!

CatHerder said...

love love love pumpkins! We still carve pumpkins ever year even though our kids are older...and EVERY year we make one that looks like a kitty of course....i have pics of my youngest one year when he was a baby for halloween wearing a pumpkin onesie....and rabbit ears, dont ask! I decorate the most for fall in our home, i have so much stuff!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

omg, the baby in the pumpkin is just the cutest!! And I like the letter monograms carved from the pumpkins.

Dee Light said...

Great Halloween Fun!!

Judy said...

OMG what wonderful pumpkins and ideas. I love the baby in the pumpkin. It is too cute. I need to get busy and do something creative now.

Camille said...

Oh, that baby in a pumpkin is just too adorable! I love fall! I love the gourds and pumpkins, the colors. I have been delaying the decorating because it is still so warm and I don't want semi-cooked pumpkins on my porch by thanksgiving.