Last fall I was a wee bit excited about the idea of branching out from the usual and predictable “scary pumpkin faces” and trying something that looked a little more chic. For me, not for my son — he still likes the scary pumpkin faces.
I was intrigued by these upholstery tack pumpkins and gourds, they looked fun to make and would be such cute table decorations or front porch decor, too. They are “tacky,” but not TACKY! Ahh, I like that.
This year I’m seeing another really cool idea (it is not really new but I’m slow about catching on to these things).
Use a drill to create neat patterns and designs in a pumpkin or gourd (see the top and bottom photo)!
Aren’t they fun?
This Old House – Creating Pumpkin Luminaries
Do you carve pumpkins the traditional way or do you get a little fancy?
I’m so glad you are enjoying this series! Thank you for your encouraging comments and support of this series.
For the entire series links, click the 31 Days Button below!
Find the rest of the 31 Day girls here.
Neat pumpkins, I have really enjoyed decorating for fall this year and the kids have enjoyed seeing it all as well!
I like!!! My sister did some cute pumpkins:
http://creative-outpour.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkinspumpkinspumpkins.html
I love pumpkins.. just not the goo that goes along with the carving. I had posted earlier today about pumpkins too. Great minds must think alike?!? :) I am loving your series. Just love it.
When our artist/daughter was still living at home, we used to have some of the most intricately, interesting, unusual pumpkins in the neighborhood. People would bring their children over after we lit them each night so they could stare in wonder. Now, she is a young mother of 3 boys, all under 5, and they marvel at their Mother’s incredible creations and magnificent decorations inside their house and out.
OH goodness, I swear I am not stalking you. But I LOVE the furniture tack pumpkins. That is new to me!
I like the “drilled pumpkins” but even my grown-up kids like the scary faced pumpkin moonshines. I like them all.
Jody
I’m thinking I will very carefully carve a notch out of the top, just barely enough to set in a tea light or other small candle. Wrap a ribbon around the middle of the pumpkin and set it on a “bed” of fall leaves and call it a day.
We’ve usually carved pumpkins the traditional way – with funny faces and such. But this year we may have a front porch to decorate in November, so I might have to consider doing something a little more lovely and sophisticated.
I’m not a blogger or much of an artist when it comes to pumpkins, but I have LOVED this so-far 16-day adventure to 31 days! Thank you so much for doing this–what a fun way to celebrate the best month of the year!!
Love the pumpkin ideas! Looks like I’m going to be trying something new this year!!!
For a long time I have not wanted to have anything to do with pumpkins at this time of year. But recently I have found if we carve one this way, as you showed above, we could used them long past Halloween and still get the benefit of toasted pumpkin seeds without acknowledging Halloween. Acknowledging more Thanksgiving and the bountiful harvest.
I think I want to try how one of these ideas here. I especially like the drilled patterns.
I’m not the Halloween kandy korn kind ( I know, bah, stinkbug!) The pumpkins featured are really little works of art – I love them. Thanks! franki
I love pumpkins most un-carved — just natural. But closer to Thanksgiving I love to carve them with hearts or leaves.
THEN after Thanksgiving, I get out the spray paint and make them Christmas colors — whatever those colors are for me this year — maybe lime green and aqua. One year I painted them silver and piled them in an old wheelbarrow at the front door, like giant ornaments.
Love the tacky ones — I may try that this year.
Gwynie Pie
@ The Pink Tractor
gwynrosser.blogspot.com
You are doing such an incredible job of inspiring all of us with your many wonderful ideas. Thank you for the time and effort you are putting into each post for our enjoyment!
Have been without a computer for a week so it is a treat to catch up!
Thanks again,
Joanne
I LOOOOOVE this idea!!!!! Charging up the drill!!
I definitely lean towards anti-scary….lol
Terrific ideas! I need to catch up around here. What a wonderful site, so glad I’ve found it!
My friends have this party every year and love it when I pull out my drill to see what pattern I do. It is definately a show stopper.
Melissa,
Your series has been wonderful.
I might have to try the pumpkins with upholstery tacks…how great.
Karen
I don’t usually carve pumpkins but my secret pal at church gave me a pumpkin with Snoopy cut out of it for my Birthday (Oct. 3). She knows I love anything Peanuts.
I love all the creativity out there, but now that my kids are grown, I’m enjoying my pumpkins just picked and natural, no carving at all.
SOOO using the pumkin ideas! Thank you!
The other day I saw an idea that I am going to try….carving a hole in the top of the pumpkin large enough to insert a pot of flowers…essentially using the pumpkin as a pot. I had never seen that done before and seems like an alternative to the traditional carving!
I love these gourds and pumpkins. Mr. G, honey better look out. I have ideas! lol