PUMPKIN VOTIVES

If the thought of frightful jack-o'-lanterns gives you the chills, opt for a lovely and luminous group of votive holders instead. These gently glowing lights, cut from pumpkins in pale hues, are easy to make: Simply slice off the tops, and scoop off the flesh. Set on glass votive holder and candle inside each, and arrange a few small, uncarved pumpkins alongside. (But remember: Keep an eye on the lighted candles, and be sure to blow them out at the end of the evening)

To make pumpkin votives with miniature pumpkins (pictured below), you will need miniature pumpkins, votives, floral cutters, and a hand-drill fitted with a 1 1/2-inch-wide paddle bit. If possible, get a second person to help: He or she can don a pair of work gloves and hold the pumpkin in place as you drill.

1. Using floral cutters, trim the stem from the pumpkin.
2. Center the paddle bit over the pumpkin, and drill about 1/2 inch deep.
3. Insert votive. The pumpkin can be stored in a cool, dry spot for up to one day.

For more sophisticated decorating ideas, check out Martha Stewart.com!

HOST A PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY

I think one of the things that I've always loved so much about the Halloween season was that special time of year.... falling leaves, cooler weather and the Harvest Festivals! Growing up in the hills of central Pennsylvania, we really had the best Fall seasons... ever! (And trust me, there's nothing better than the smell of burning leaves and warm cider)

Every year we'd have a big hayride and go pick out pumpkins, then go back home and have a good old fashioned Pumpkin Carving Party!

It sure sounds like a good way to kick-off the Halloween party season. Here's a few tips to have the best Pumpkin Carving Party ever!

Pumpkins! Have a supply on hand for your guests, or plan to head out to the local pumpkin patch to get 'em. And if you've got little ones who may not be ready to do any carving, be sure to get some mini pumpkins and lots of craft paint! Have a special designated area for little ones who will want to paint their pumpkins.

Decorations~ Think Harvest time. Hay bales, leaves and corn stalks. Cover tables with brown craft paper (for tables that you'll be using for eating, carving and painting) and throw up a few white (or orange) twinkle lights and I think you'll love the festive mood!

Menu~ Grill hot dogs, make deviled eggs, cheese fondue dip, and don't forget the staples of any Harvest festival.... apples and pumpkins! Apple cider, apple crumbcake, pumpkin cupcakes even carmel apples! And a guarenteed party favorite... be sure to roast some pumpkin seeds!

Now that I've given you the ideas, don't forget to send out party invitations. And if you log on to Familycrafts.com you can print them off yourself.

Happy Party Planning!

HOLY PUMPKIN POPTARTS!

Keeping with my "pumpkin theme" this week... who doesn't love pumpkin pie? But it takes so long to make from scratch, and the storebought versions just don’t do it justice. Thank goodness for poptarts! Inspired by their speedy, must-have-pie-now format, the amazing Brooke Mclay from the Family Kitchen website conjured a cookie sheet full of palm-sized pumpkin pies in less than 20 minutes! I know, I told you she was amazing!

Half the fun of these pumpkin poptarts, of course, is carving your own designs into the top crust before placing it over the filling. Brooke used a small paring knife to do the carving, and found that a prepared pie crust pulled straight out of a cold fridge made carving a super simple task. If your kids are too young to do the carving themselves, invite them to draw a face into their pumpkins with a toothpick before you carve out their artsy, Halloween creations. Then sprinkle your poptarts with sugar before baking, but the poptarts are equally delicious when glazed fresh out of the oven. Here's Brooke's recipe:

Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 package refrigerated pie crust

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and egg.
Unroll pie crusts, cut the edges off to make a large square, then cut the pie crust into three equal rectangles (about 2″ x 3″).
Spoon a small amount of pumpkin mixture into the center of one of the rectangles, taking care to not let the filling ooze near the edges.
Use a small paring knife to carve jack-o-lantern faces into a second rectangle.
Gently lay the carved piece over the pumpkin filling, then press the edges firmly together with a fork.
Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges of the poptart begin to turn golden brown.
In a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla.
Drizzle glaze over hot pumpkin poptarts.
Allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

And for more fantastic, family fun with food.... check out The Family Kitchen!

FOR THE LOVE OF PUMPKINS!

All you faithfull followers know how much I adore pumpkins! (I've loved 'em since I was a kid!) And as much as I love those plump, little cuties..... I also love paint! So here's another project idea....

Painting gourds has been a folk art favourite for centuries, so I'm not sure that this really qualifies as innovative, but it sure is fun and easy! Here are some fab-u-lous ideas from our friends at HGTV.

For the elegant Halloween, white pumpkins and soft pastel/shabby chic pumpkins have been all the range for several years now. As for the spooky version, do a little graphic black and white treatment..... a cat, spider, moon, (etc.) stencil will always do the trick. (Soooooooo easy!)

Oh, not much of a painter? You can always dust it with sparkles! (Never a bad idea.)

HALLOWEEN FASHIONS TO WEAR ALL YEAR LONG!

One of  the cool things about fashion is that much like art, it's a way to express yourself. So why not combine the two, and wear some fashionable art all year long?

Now here are a few tees that would surely get some attention if you wore them to dinner with the in-laws or to the kids school play. But for the true Halloweenie, it's just another day to show the world your true "spirit"! As a matter of fact, tee shirts are so cool... they've even made it to the  fashion runway!

But if you're just looking for some design ideas, maybe these will inspire you to make your own!

Check out the Akumu Ink site for more cool shirts and purchase information!

BLOODY NECKLACE

I'm always looking for interesting jewelry with a twisted Halloween theme....and this one fits the bill perfectly!

This bloody necklace would be the perfect piece for your ode to Marie Antoinette or whoever you want to be for Halloween.

This particular bauble comes from Weirdly Cute.... and I do agree, it's pretty darn cute. Now if you like to make jewelry, I'm sure with some clear jewelry wire and some red beads, you could pull off the same effect.

You could make necklaces, bracelets, anklets.... the possibilities are bloody endless!!!!

GUMDROP PUMPKIN

How cute is this? I just love those crafty folks at Craft Elf! This idea is great if you're looking for a sweet treat centerpiece for the family Halloween party. Or maybe you know you'll be the homeroom mom who has to come up with a fabulous treat for the classroom party...crafting a pumpkin from orange slice gumdrops, toothpicks and a Styrofoam ball is a great way to keep the kids entertained.... and results in a beautiful centerpiece you'll just want to eat up!

Directions:

1.Flatten the bottom of the Styrofoam ball by pressing it down on a flat surface.

2.Cover the Styrofoam with foil.

3.Cut a toothpick in half. Insert the cut end of the toothpick into the flat side of an orange slice gumdrop about 1/4" from one end.

4.With the foil covered Styrofoam ball flat on your table, place the pointed end of the toothpick into the Styrofoam so that the bottom of the orange slice is even with the bottom of the Styrofoam ball.

5.Continue adding orange slices as you did in steps 3 and 4 until you have a row all around the bottom of the Styrofoam ball. You should place the orange slices close together so that you do not see the foil. It's ok if a little shows through.

6.Once your first row of gumdrops is complete, start a second row above the first row. These gumdrops should slightly overlap the row below.

7.Create a third row above the second row with the gumdrops overlapping the previous row.

8.Once you have made three rows, there will still be an unfinished area on the top. To cover this area, cut one orange slice in half lengthwise. Lay it down flat on the top center with the two straight edges touching. It should form a circle. You do not need to secure this piece with toothpicks as it will be secured by the leaves.

9.The last row will be made with half gumdrops and will be place between the third row and the one you placed flat on top. Cut six gumdrops in half crosswise (across in the shorter direction)

10.Insert a cut toothpick into one of the cut gumdrop pieces along the flat edge.

11.Stick the other end of the toothpick into the Styrofoam so that the cut edge is facing the third row of gumdrops and the narrow end is slightly overlapping the flattened center gumdrop.

12.Continue around until the foil covered ball is covered in gumdrops. You many not need all the gumdrop pieces you cut or you may need more depending on your spacing.

13.Place one full toothpick into the end of each of the two spearmint leaf gumdrops (green gumdrops).

14.Insert the other end of each of these toothpicks into the top of the completed pumpkin going straight through the flattened top gumdrop.

Approximate finished size is 5 1/2" tall.

For more super kid-friendly craft projects, check out Craft Elf!