• Introduction
• Fab Fall Decor
• News Flash

Fab Fall Decor

Halloween decorations tend to be full of the fun of childhood. One of the most popular fall decorations is the jack-o'-lanterns that decorate many porches prior to Halloween. I remember many pumpkins that we carved together as a family, but I'm ready for a little different twist on this fall favorite -- how about you?

Consider alternative ways to decorate a real pumpkin or one of the realistic fakes available at most craft stores. If you are carving a pumpkin, help it stay insect- and mildew-free a little longer by dipping the carved pumpkin into a large container of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). The bleach will kill bacteria and help the pumpkin stay fresh. Let the pumpkin dry, and then add a tea light or votive candle.

Carve unique designs quickly and easily using cookie cutters! Simply place a metal cookie cutter on the hollowed-out pumpkin and tap the cutter until it's embedded about halfway. Then, remove the cutter with needle-nose pliers and cut the rest of the way through with a carving tool or serrated knife. The cookie cutter outline will guide your knife so it's easier to keep a nice shape. Try using cookie-cutter shapes to create a traditional face, or to just create a pleasing design.

Another option is to pull out your drill, or borrow one from a friend, and then drill a pattern of holes (or drill randomly) through a carved pumpkin. You'll be amazed how lovely the sparkling dots of light look once the candle is lit.

A real or fake pumpkin can also be decorated without carving it. If it isn't carved, the decoration will last much longer. To help preserve a real and intact pumpkin, brush the outside with the bleach and water solution described above and let it dry prior to decorating.

A face or other design can be painted on the surface of the pumpkin using acrylic paints. If your pumpkin is real, start by cleaning and drying the pumpkin, and then apply a clear sealer. Try using stencils, foam stamps or patterns, or just paint freehand. Painter's tape can be used to mask off stripes or other straight lines in designs. Once the paint is dry, apply a sealer to the finished pumpkin to protect the design.

Have you seen the multitude of decorative tapes on the market now? Check out all of the trendy duct tape and washi tape designs. Wrap these decorative tapes or ribbons around the pumpkin to create stripes, plaids or other patterns quickly and easily.

You can also decoupage paper or silk leaves onto a real or fake pumpkin for a unique design. Look for suitable images in scrapbook papers or magazines to cut out and decoupage onto your pumpkin. Spread the decoupage medium over the entire pumpkin to seal it.

Wreaths are another fall decorating favorite. See the reader feedback section of this newsletter for one idea. If you enjoy making paper flowers, these could be created in warm colors of orange, red and gold to adorn a foam circle to create a wreath. Fall cupcake liners can be used to fashion flowers for a wreath. CardMaker Kit-of-the-Month Club's website includes instructional technique videos. Check out the videos that demonstrate how to make paper roses, accordion-fold flowers, layered circle flowers and paper mums. The same flowers could be made using felt, burlap or colored plastic bags for a more weather-resistant wreath.

Real or silk leaves or ones cut out of felt, fabric, paper or plastic also look great on a wreath. Other ideas for decorating a wreath include unshelled nuts, acorns, seedpods, wheat or other dried grasses, pinecones or feathers.

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