halloween is just days away. just tonight my kids carved their real pumpkins up for our front porch. while i love the traditional pumpkin carving, i also love the idea of having fake pumpkins specially carved for use every fall. my parents are the experts in this category and have carved "forever pumpkins" for each of their grandkids.
this year i have seen these popping up everywhere. several businesses are now charging quite a bit to make a custom pumpkin of your own. if you go purchase the fake pumpkins (most likely on sale at the end of halloween season), some inexpensive stencils and a carving knife, you can make these for yourself at a fraction of the cost. the steps are simple and the results are adorable.
the steps for making a forever pumpkin:
- purchase hollow, fake pumpkins, 3 inch stencils and a hot knife (pictured).
- stencil the letters or drawings on the pumpkins.
- use the narrow, sharp blade of the tool. carve out your letters being careful not to create a narrow space that will break off. (this means that you may have to adapt some of the letter shapes.)
- cut off the lid of the pumpkin. clean out the pieces inside. use a small battery operated votive candle to light the inside of the pumpkins.
- enjoy!
this heated carving tool can be found at most craft stores.
needed tools
finished pumpkin
i grew up in a home where every holiday was celebrated. there were decorations for each important and not so important day of the year. my parents continue to decorate to this day. here is one of my favorite of their fall decorations, forever pumpkins with the names of each grandchild.you can carve anything into these pumpkins and then pull them out for years to come. love it!
here are the steps:
- purchase hollow, fake pumpkins, 3 inch stencils and a hot knife (pictured).
- stencil the letters or drawings on the pumpkins.
- use the narrow, sharp blade of the tool. carve out your letters being careful not to create a narrow space that will break off. (this means that you may have to adapt some of the letter shapes.)
- cut off the lid of the pumpkin. clean out the pieces inside. use a small battery operated votive candle to light the inside of the pumpkins. enjoy!
it's october, and for me that means everything pumpkin. (pumpkin spice lattes are back at starbucks--yahoo!) in honor of this magical orange fruit (am i the only one who thought it was a veggie?!) we will be posting our favorite pumpkin recipes for mmmmm, mondays this month. we are kicking it off with my *favorite* frosted pumpkin cookies. they are cake-like and just delightful. enjoy!
frosted pumpkin cookies
cookie ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp all spice
1 tsp ginger
1 cup raisins (optional)
frosting ingredients:
3 tbsp butter
4 tsp milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla
directions (cookies):
cream together shortening, sugar, and pumpkin.
then add in the egg, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, raisins, all spice, and ginger.
drop from a spoon to cookie sheet.
bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.
makes about 4 dozen.
directions (frosting):
cook milk, butter, and brown sugar until dissolved.
cool and add powdered sugar and vanilla.
spread on warm cookies.
i think that halloween is my favorite holiday to decorate for. it is fun and spooky and not everyone on the street does it. i think it is fun to be the super decorated house in the neighborhood that all the kids want to trick-or-treat at too. here are some of my favorite halloween decorations this year. enjoy!
