All about pumpkins!

Last year I did a big pumpkin carving package for the paper, and I worked with our newsroom designers on coming up with some southwestern themed pumpkin carving templates. Even if you are a northerner, I think you'll enjoy these designs! Just print them off, tape them to your pumpkin and have at it!



Here is the link, and the templates are in the right column.

And here is a healthy page of info I put together that is all about pumpkin carving, Crafty Chica style.

Here are some other resources:

ONLINE

- carvingpumpkins.com: Hundreds of patterns, such as a cat on a broom, Finding Nemo, The Simpsons, Lord of the Rings, patriotic, celebrities and others.

- pumpkincarving101 .com: A guide to using tools to carve a basic pumpkin design.

- extremepumpkins.com: The wild side of pumpkin carving, featuring Mud-Flap Girl Pumpkin, Puking Pumpkin, Conjoined Twins Pumpkin, Radioactive Pumpkin, Carrie Pumpkin with Pumping Blood and many others. They now have a book out: Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors



- thepumpkinfarm.com/ jack/jackboard.html: Forget the mess by carving a virtual pumpkin online.

- spookmaster.com: Free stencils, instructions, games, recipes and more.

BOOKS

- Great Pumpkins, by Peter Cole (Chronicle Books, $14.95).

- Halloween Pumpkins & Parties: 101 Spooktacular Ideas, by Carol Field Dahlstrom (Better Homes and Gardens, $15.95).

- Pumpkin Chic: Decorating With Pumpkins and Gourds, by Mary Caldwell (Hearst Books, $19.95).

- Holiday Pumpkins: A Collection of Recipes, Gifts, and Decorations, by Georgeanne Brennan and Jennifer Barry (Ten Speed Press, $14.95).

and I LOVE this idea! A DVD all about carving your pumpkin! Great idea! A Complete Guide to Carving the Perfect Pumpkin, ($6.98)



And I saved the best for last. My friend and crafty co-worker at Duncan made this adorable pumpkin centerpiece, perfect for your next spooky party. I was there when the masterpiece was being created, and I remember vowing that I would blog about it!!!!

Drum roll...



Here are the directions for the "I'm So Scared" Centerpiece!

***
Author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life ($19.95, Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins).
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