The air is different, can you feel it? Crisp and energizing. Shut off that air conditioning and open those windows. There’s nothing like watching nature’s colors transform from day to day while sleeping better at night.
The best part? Grab a sweater and head out to your local farmer’s market (lucky for us, it’s just down the road!) then begin your annual search for this year’s perfect pumpkin to create your ultimate masterpiece. Entering a contest this year? Use these helpful tips to improve your carving skills:
Cut the opening in the top at a 45-degree angle so it will have something to rest on. Do not cut straight down, because the lid will fall into the gutted pumpkin.
Why not add a body to your jack-o’-lantern? Stack two pumpkins to give your display more presence. Carve the body to look like a shirt; you can even give him a spiky hairdo.
Give ‘em an extra glow with some vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. Apply a small amount to the outer skin with a paper towel after you have finished carving. Vaseline works great to keep intricate cuts from curling up.
For a hit at your next party, trade fire for ice! Cut the top from a large, wide pumpkin, and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Line the bottom and sides of the pumpkin with a 2-gallon plastic bag. Fill the bag with ice and your beverage of choice.
Turn your pumpkin on its side. The stem makes a wonderful nose. Then all you have to do is cut out eyes and a mouth. If the pumpkin is a little too wobbly on its side, cut out some flesh to flatten it. Spaghetti noodles dipped halfway in boiling water for a few seconds make great hair. Stick the uncooked portion into small holes cut in the head.
Don’t be afraid to draw directly on your pumpkin, a dry erase market works best so you can correct any mistake before cutting. Sketch out a design freehand, or use a template. Tape the pattern to the pumpkin, and trace it. Press hard enough to leave an impression on the flesh, and follow the lines for cutting.
If your pumpkin begins to look lifeless, revive it with a little TLC. Soak a dried-up pumpkin in a bucket of water for two to eight hours.
These cookie-cutter pumpkins are anything but ordinary. They take no time to make and will add a gorgeous glow to your porch or walk. Start by selecting a theme, such as leaves, ghosts, or spiders. The stainless steel cutters work the best and the smaller ones will most likely keep their shape longer. Cut a hole in the bottom instead of the top, and clean out the insides. Place a cookie cutter on the pumpkin. Gently tap the cutter with a rubber mallet until it pushes through the skin. Repeat until you complete your desired design. Then simply place each pumpkin over a small candle, and enjoy the chilling glow. Your power drill could come in handy, too, for another simple design!
If you love the look of hurricanes lining a front path, put an autumn spin on them by using oversize heirloom pumpkins in various shades of orange and green as bases.
Try using glow-in-the-dark paint and masking tape for a fun cut-free option.