Cool designs on pumpkins

Pumpkin carving is one of the cool designs on pumpkins opportunities we have to attempt being crafty at Halloween. First, there's the DIY house party ñpp even if they're for no one but yourself which involves turning bin bags into spiders' webs and plastic gloves into ice sculptures. Then there are the Halloween cake recipes, which really test our confidence when it comes to being nifty with a piping bag of icing. And who could forget the Halloween cocktails?

Amy Bickers Abeyta is an assistant vice president of communications with more than 25 years of experience in feature writing, magazine editing, and project management. Amy was the editor of six Southern Living Special Editions. If you're on the hunt for Halloween pumpkin carving ideas for your front porch, windowsill, or neighborhood carving contest, then look no further. We've got the best pumpkin carving ideas for you and your family this Halloween. From easy pumpkin carving ideas, like polka-dot pumpkins, to no-carve pumpkin ideas , like simple pumpkin stacks or a miniature pumpkin wreath , we've got beginner and kid-friendly carvings that will last throughout the fall. We've also got simple how-to instructions for some of our more challenging Halloween pumpkins and for party pumpkin serving ideas, like a pumpkin cooler or pumpkin luminaries for your driveway.

Cool designs on pumpkins

When fall arrives, we can't wait to decorate the home with pumpkins — whether they serve as beautiful fall centerpieces , cozy fall porch decor or festive Halloween decorations. There's nothing wrong with simple orange pumpkins and classic jack-o'-lanterns, but there are endless ways to use pumpkins to infuse personality into your space this year. From spooky skeletons and crawling spiders to happy and quirky pumpkin faces , we've rounded up creative pumpkin painting ideas that are so fun and easy to recreate. As much as we love carved pumpkins , they aren't always the best option: they require a lot of clean up and can be a dangerous project for children. Painted pumpkins are a much more kid-friendly craft , plus they tend to last longer than their carved counterparts. The easy no-carve pumpkin idea is a perfect way to show off your style, you'll just have to decide what to paint. Consider one these adorable ideas like pastel faces, pretty rainbows and glitter pumpkins or a creepy creation like spider webs, floating ghosts and flying bats. Draw inspiration from your favorite characters, keep it simple with painted stripes or go for a vibrant, solid shade. Start with full-size or mini pumpkins, then pick up a few cans of spray paint, bottles of acrylic paint and some paint brushes. Hint: Before painting your pumpkin, clean it gently with soapy water and dry it completely.

This idea doesn't require as much carving as the others. Shop Acorns. The variety of blades in the standard woodcarving set will make you a master carver.

One look at these jack-o'-lanterns and you'll be convinced: This is the year to let your creativity shine and carve up something cool. Even if it doesn't turn out as polished as the ones in these photos, it's all in good fun. Plus, the less perfect they are, the spookier they look. More into eating pumpkins than carving them? Try all of our favorite pumpkin recipes ranging from roasted pumpkin seeds and pumpkin bread to rich and creamy pumpkin vodka sauce and penne.

There are countless reasons why you should be carving pumpkins every year! It is a fun and to get in the spooky holiday spirit and an easy way to add some DIY Halloween decor to your home. It is a great activity to connect with your kids, but it is also enjoyable for anyone at any age! Make sure you have all of your tools including a serrated knife, a large spoon, and a carving saw and other carving tools. Once you have your pumpkin ready to go, cut the top off with a serrated knife. Throw all of that away unless you want to save the seeds for eating. Remove the template and carve along the dotted lines. You can also place tracing paper underneath the template and tape them on. Use a pen to trace over the template and then remove it.

Cool designs on pumpkins

These creative pumpkin carving ideas and stencils will give this year's jack-o'-lanterns distinct character—and make your porch the star of the neighborhood on Halloween night. Your Halloween party will be lit this year when you carve an assortment of fiery pumpkins and arrange them in a heap, campfire-style. Our free pumpkin stencils let you easily recreate the look in your backyard. Anchored by tiny nails, a white web highlights the carved opening in a black pumpkin.

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Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess ». Splattering white paint on a pumpkin is fun, but copying true-to-life constellations really sets this project apart. This one by Ladyface Blog even features little feet and ears. Because this is the South, Jack would never be caught without a bowtie or a pocket square, so carve a quick triangle. We carved an evil spider and used the stem to add even more spook. Keep a watchful eye on your front porch stoop with this all-seeing cat design template. The stem adds a disfigured shadow for added gore. But down South, when we see a skeleton, we just think, "oh boy, he could use a good, Southern meal. Main Pumpkin: Begin by carving a circle on the top of your pumpkin and taking out all the seeds. For a tasty treat to accompany your cooler, rinse the seeds, and pat dry with paper towels. Try etching instead. Use leftover pumpkin remnants as arms, and don't forget to give Jack a spiky hair-do.

There's no shortage of festive Halloween crafts to try with family and friends, but pumpkin carving is one of the best!

Cut out cat ears from velour paper and glue each to a toothpick. Once you've painted your pumpkin, it's time to give the stem a little personality. Cut out almond-shaped eyes, spray paint your pumpkins and add cat ears that you can DIY using toothpicks. Sometimes, scraping is better than carving. Splattering white paint on a pumpkin is fun, but copying true-to-life constellations really sets this project apart. Spider Pumpkin Mike Garten. Gently tap the cutter with a rubber mallet until it pushes through the skin. Once it's dry, remove the stencils for one cute cat. Then, simply peel the skin off to reveal a lighter orange shade. Shop Corn Husks. Starting out as we mean to go on: creative. Use a hammer to give overripe pumpkins a smushed look or toss them on the ground—but be careful not to completely crack them! For a tasty treat to accompany your cooler, rinse the seeds, and pat dry with paper towels.