CasaSugar

What's Your Pumpkin Carving Style?

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:28 -0700

Some people enjoy spending hours of planning and effort on their Halloween jack-o'-lanterns, and there's no arguing with the fantastic results. However, I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to my pumpkin - I usually just cut out a jagged-toothed grin, and leave it at that. What do you do at your house?

Source: Flickr User valentinapowers

Casa Quickie: Teeth Carving Tips

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:15:47 -0700

Carving some funky faces in your jack-o'-lantern this Halloween? Show off your pumpkin's pearly whites by scraping the outer orange pumpkin skin from your pumpkin's teeth. To do so, use a linoleum knife to peel off the outer skin, and then use a regular knife to finish shaping the teeth. For more pumpkin carving tips, check out this post on Whole Story.

Open House: Are You Throwing Any Fall Parties?

CasaSugar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:30:04 -0700

Every October, I love to invite a few friends over for a pumpkin carving party. It's a great excuse to reconnect with friends, and who can resist the fun of carving images and faces into a pumpkin?

Another friend of mine, who's an amateur mixologist, loves to throw a Halloween-themed cocktail party right around Halloween. From Trick-or-Tinis to Eyeball Highballs, my friend has the spooky drink menu covered.

What type of Fall parties do you like to host? Pumpkin carving parties? Popcorn ball-making get-togethers? Costume crafting nights? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Source: Flickr User indigoprime

How-To: Turn Pumpkins Into Candleholders

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:36 -0800

Your jack-o'-lantern may be rotting on your back porch like mine (oops!), but that's no reason to shun pumpkins altogether. You can make seasonal candle holders that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table from some inexpensive, mini pumpkins from your grocery store or local farmers market. I noticed this little trick within a DIY for making a mini pumpkin centerpiece on Martha Stewart, but I'm not so keen on the entire centerpiece idea. So, to make just the candle holders, you'll need a utility knife, a melon baller, tapered candles, and mini pumpkins. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Martha:

First, cut a round hole in the pumpkin's center with a utility knife, enough to hold a candle but not all the way through. You may want to trace the circumference of your taper onto the pumpkin first to make sure your hole isn't too wide.
Then, make space for your tapers by carving the inside out with a melon baller.
Then, slip your taper in.
You can also stack your pumpkin candle holders for a different look. If you do this, you'll want to use two pumpkins about the same size. Carve the top pumpkin all the way through, but leave a base on the bottom one.
Fini! So easy.

Source

Would You Carve a Political Pumpkin?

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:15:43 -0700

MSN currently has a few downloadable stencils for creating your very own presidential (or vice presidential) pumpkins. While the designs are cheeky, and carving your very own Obama/McCain jack-o'-lantern is just another way to show your support, a part of me feels like maybe we should lay off of the politics for the light-hearted, child-oriented evening. Then again, I'm sure we all find certain politicians pretty scary!Source

Jack-o'-Lanterns That Will Make You Glow

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:48 -0700

When it comes to jack-o'-lanterns, some of us enjoy carving a simple, toothy grin, while others go all out with templates, exacto knives, and downloadable patterns. I've found a mix of both to inspire your jack-o'-lantern creations this Halloween. These carved pumpkins look so good, they'll even add curb appeal when you display them on your porch!

View Slideshow ›

How-To: Make Pumpkin Pie Incense

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:00:34 -0700

It's that time of year again. Witches and ghosts will soon parade the streets and arrive at your door begging for candy. So, your house better be in good shape when they do. I'm not one for faux cobwebs clogging up my doorway, but I do love walking into a house that just smells like October. I was pretty excited when I came across a Martha Stewart project for a carved pumpkin incense burner that smells like pumpkin pie, so I decided I had to share. All you'll need is a small pumpkin, a knife, an apple corer, pumpkin pie spices, cloves, and a tealight.
To learn how to make this adorable thing, read more.

First things first. Find a cute pumpkin that still has its stem on it, which you can use as a handle.
Then, neatly slice off the top of the pumpkin.
Carve out the innards of the pumpkin.
Make polka dotted vents in the pumpkin's sides using an apple corer. Or, carve whatever shapes you like.
Rub the spices generously onto the lid.
Push your cloves into the lid.
Then, set a tealight in the pumpkin base, put the lid back on, and enjoy!

Source

How-To: Make Pumpkin Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:15:04 -0800

Here's how to do it, according to Martha:

First, cut a round hole in its center with a utility knife, enough to hold a candle but not all the way through. You may want to trace the circumference of your taper onto the pumpkin first to make sure your hole isn't too wide.
Then, make space for your tapers by carving the inside out with a melon baller.
Then, slip your taper in.
You can also stack your pumpkin candle holders for a different look. If you do this, you'll want to use two pumpkins about the same size. Carve the top pumpkin all the way through, but leave a base on the bottom one.
Fini! So easy.

Source

Etsy Find: Cinderella Pumpkin Napkins

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:00:49 -0800

When it comes to pumpkins, we often think of jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin carving at Halloween, but the gourd-like squash is stylish all season long. There should be nothing preventing you from decorating with pumpkins until Christmas comes along . . . then poinsettias and fir trees can have their heyday. I'm smitten with these Cinderella Pumpkin Napkins, a set of four olive-green cotton napkins each embroidered with a freshly harvested pumpkin, recalling Cinderella's Fairy Godmother's coach. Their warm-colored palette is ideal for Fall. If not these, you should pick up an alternate set because by now I hope you all adopted cloth napkins in lieu of paper!

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:11 -0700

Carve this pumpkin from a book. - Craft
Wow! A woman bought this foreclosed house and gave it to its distraught owner. - SavvySugar
Take a tour of J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons's gorgeous home. - Domino
Are you guilty of any of these seven bad habits of eco-driven consumers? - Inhabitat
Here are four ways to reduce energy costs and still stay warm. - Charles and Hudson
Pick up some pretty melamine plates from French Bull. - Simply Stated
Take your pick of these CFL bulbs. - AT:SF
Would you get a Go Kot? - Daily Dose

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