Fall decor trends feature rustic charm with homespun elegance

(ARA) – The air is becoming crisp, colors are changing and cozy sweaters are starting to make their way back into your wardrobe’s rotation. Autumn has arrived, and its natural beauty shines radiantly to warm the heart and inspire fresh crafting ideas.

“This fall season, warm colors, rich textures and creative details stand out,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “Interest in homemade crafts and do-it-yourself decorating projects has never been stronger.”

Clever crafts can help to create an autumn atmosphere that is simply elegant or pure fun for the family. When thinking about your fall DIY projects, try some of these ideas to capture your creative spirit when decorating your home or planning your next festive get-together:

1. Fabulous fall decor with versatility and value
Start by decorating your table with exceptionally affordable wool felt. Available in plenty of mix-and-match autumn colors, felt can be sewn, glued, colored or cut – the sky is the limit.

One easy option that provides a beautiful visual presentation is to cut out shapes on a felt cloth. For example, draw scattered maple leaves all over two different colors of felt and cut out the pieces. Layer the two felt squares together on your table for a windblown, just-fallen look.

What to do with the felt leaves you just cut out? Create a harvest-themed wreath with a classic yet contemporary look. Decorate an18-inch grapevine wreath with miniature lights, felt leaves and any other favorite fall items you have around your house or yard.

2. Classic adornments with surprising details
Need a great fall centerpiece? Rethink the classic pumpkin and try decorating with unique embellishments. For a beautiful fall-themed pumpkin, choose gold-toned wire and bend to create fun leaves and vines, attaching to the pumpkin’s top. If you’re looking for a Halloween theme, decorate the face of the pumpkin with masks and feathers to create different characters like a witch, owl or masquerader.

One way to save money and create a cherished piece of decor you can use year after year is to decorate a reusable pumpkin like Fun-Kins. These light artificial pumpkins are easy to work with and sure to become wonderful works of art.

3. Fall food made fantastically fun
Food is a must at any fall gathering. When the temperature cools, many of us are turning on our ovens to bake delightful must-taste treats. Rich and decadent brownies are tantalizing no matter what, but how about taking them a step further? Serve them kabob-style with marshmallows, fruit and a drizzle of icing to make them irresistible. Arrange on a tray for a beautiful presentation and watch them disappear in minutes.

If you’re looking for a dessert with a theme, use uniquely shaped silicone baking pans. Try baking brownies in a jack-o’-lantern muffin pan. After they cool, pop them out, turn over and decorate their faces.

4. Double your fun with homemade costumes
If a costume party is in your future, you’ll need something fun that stands out. The homemade costume is officially back and allows your creativity to shine. Brainstorm with your child to figure out what you both want to be for Halloween and then hit up a craft store to get the necessary supplies. What’s the newest trend for costumes? Two-in-one options that have the ability to quickly convert from one character to the next.

For example, a sparkling dress can serve as the base for both an astronaut and a robot. With simple accessories and removable changes, your little girl can attend one party as a robot and then zoom off to another as an astronaut. Plus this is a fun alternative to traditional girls’ costumes without losing the glitz. Reversible options also work for double-duty costumes. For example, try keeping one side of a cape black so you can be a witch and the other side gold. Add a feathered boa and you can become a queen in an instant.

For more information and to get supplies for creating homemade fall projects, visit www.Joann.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

CRAFT PROJECTS

Craft project ideas
Courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

Masked Fun-Kins – Owl

Supplies and tools:
* Fun-Kins carvable pumpkin
* Black mask
* Feathers: 2 Half Hackle plates, 2 Pheasant pads, 1 package Pheasant Plumage Almond
* 9-by-12-inch craft foam: black, brown, yellow, white
* Black glitter glue
* 1 1/2 yards 3/8-inch brown ribbon
* 2 gemstones
* Tacky glue
* Scissors
* 2 ball-head straight pins
* Patterns available at www.joann.com.

Directions:

1. Remove elastic from mask.

2. Glue Half Hackle feathers near the top of the mask on each side. Glue Pheasant pads to overlap the Half Hackle feathers and extend nearly to the nose of mask.

3. Cut a yellow craft foam beak following.

4. Cut eyes from black, white and brown craft foam. Glue smaller black circles to white circles and cover black pupils with black glitter glue. Cut brown circle in half for eyelids. Draw a line of black glitter glue along the bottom of each eyelid. When glitter glue is dry, glue eyes onto mask, over the feathers. Glue eyelids onto eyes as shown.

5. Fill in the area above beak with single Pheasant Plumage feathers. Cut and glue two brown craft foam triangles to the top corners for ears.

6. Tie brown ribbon through mask holes. Tie mask around pumpkin. Secure mask to pumpkin with straight pins.

Approximate crafting time: 2 hours plus drying time

Skill level 1: No experience needed

Wire-Embellished Fun-Kins

Supplies and tools:

* Fun-Kins carvable pumpkins
* Floral accent wire: gold, copper, bronze
* Wire cutter
* Round-nose pliers
* Paper and pencil

Directions:

1. Draw maple and oak leaf shapes on paper.

2. Using drawing as a guide, bend a length of floral accent wire with round-nose pliers and fingers to the approximate shape of leaf. Cut excess wire to create a 4-inch stem. Puncture pumpkin with the stem and insert leaf.

3. Using a new length of wire, create curly vines by wrapping wire around a pencil to form shape. Loop wire vines around the pumpkin stem.

Approximate crafting time: 1 hour each

Skill level 1: No experience needed

When I was younger, I didn’t really think much about finding a pumpkin. The grocery stores sold them so I would just pick up one or two as I was grocery shopping. No problem and really no thought went into my pumpkin hunt. Unfortunately, the pumpkins that I purchased were often flat, misshapen or they had already begun to decay.

What I learned from all of this is that pumpkin hunting is much more enjoyable when you go to a pumpkin patch. Maybe you won’t be like Charlie Brown looking for the “Great Pumpkin” but you will definitely have more fun, especially if you have children helping you.

Buying from a local farm not only provides you with a day trip to build memories with your children, since many farmers who sell pumpkins offer wagon rides and corn mazes, but it also provides you with an opportunity to support local farmers, something that is strongly encouraged and often appreciated.

Once you find a pumpkin patch, take some time strolling through each pumpkin field to find the pumpkin that you are looking for. And what is it that you are looking for in a pumpkin? Well, generally, when you are looking for a pumpkin, you will want to consider four things; the size, the color, the shape, and the condition, so let’s look at these individually.

The Size:

Although everyone would love to have a giant pumpkin as large as their car, chances are you are going to be looking for a smaller pumpkin to carve into a Jack-o-lantern. Generally, medium sized pumpkins are the ideal size for carving but anything from medium to large can also be used.

The main point of size is to find one that has enough room for the design you have in mind. If you are going for a simple face, than just about anything will work but if you are looking at carving a more elaborate Jack-o-Lantern, then you will want more surface to work with.

Another point about size is to look at the actual size of the top. A pumpkin with a small area on the top may make it difficult when you are trying to clean out the pumpkin. If your hand won’t fit inside the pumpkin, chances are it may be a little too small.

Lastly, if you are purchasing a pumpkin for pies or other little Halloween desserts, you should look for smaller pumpkins. Generally, the pumpkins that you use will be smaller, around 8 to 10 inches in diameter and will be specifically grown for cooking. Of course, small pumpkins can be painted up to make some pretty cute Jack-o-Lanterns.

The Color:

Well, a pumpkin should be orange, right? Right. If we look at just the simple color of a pumpkin, there really isn’t much to look at but there are a few things that you should be aware of.

Pumpkins, like all fruit, are not ripe for a period of time. This means, that a pumpkin can be sold while it still has green spots on it. This may or may not be a problem, depending on what you are looking for, but generally, pumpkins will not ripen enough to produce a fully orange pumpkin once it has been picked. If you bring home a green pumpkin a few days before Halloween, chances are you will be putting out a green Jack-o-Lantern.

Another factor that you should take into the color of the pumpkin are any brown spots. This could mean mold and decay on your pumpkin, which could leave those pumpkin seeds inedible. Once mold has started in your pumpkin, it will spread quickly and you may end up with a rotten pumpkin on Halloween night.

After that, it is simply a matter of preference over which shade of orange you would like to have.

The Shape:

Shape is another preference matter and you can find pumpkins in almost any shape. There are squat round ones and tall and almost flat. Many pumpkins will have one flat side from lying on the ground but you can easily turn it or use the flat surface in your design when you get ready to carve.

With shape, as with size, the type of pumpkin you choose will depend on your use. Round pumpkins are better to use when you create a classic pumpkin face, flatter ones will allow you to make more elaborate designs but again, you can do this on any shape.

The Condition:

This is the biggest point to make about pumpkin hunting. The overall condition of a pumpkin is very important and you should make sure that your pumpkin does not have any soft spots on it. Soft spots often mean rot, which is the Jack-o-Lantern’s worst enemy. Pumpkins should be hard and the skin should not easily dent or scratch.

Also, pumpkins should be free of any cracks, holes or splits. Many insects and rot thrive in those holes and cracks and it is often an indicator that the pumpkin has one or both of these problems.

Lastly, try to make sure that your pumpkin has a stem. This is more for aesthetics but it does help with the overall appearance of the finished pumpkin.

And there are a few guidelines on helping you find an excellent pumpkin. The only other tips that I would recommend is to wear an old pair of boots, bring a wagon to the pumpkin patch and simply enjoy the memories you will be creating.

Jack-o-Lanterns go with Halloween like chips go with fish.  It is part and parcel of the whole thing but did you know, there is a significant increase to the number of people admitted to the hospital for lacerations due carving a pumpkin .  The fact is, when you are carving a slippery surface, such as the face of a pumpkin, the knife can slip.

Sadly, many of the lacerations can be avoided if people follow a few guidelines surrounding pumpkin carvings. And this is why we have taken the time to outline some standard safety practices for carving a pumpkin.

Sure, this isn’t going to be the most enjoyable article about pumpkin carving, but it will be enjoyable to make it through the holiday without an injury or two and a trip to the emergency room.  So before you start carving your pumpkin sit back and review the few tips that I have outlined before.

Looking at the tools:

Before you actually start carving, you will need to have the proper tools.  Although the little kits that you can buy in the grocery store seem pretty convenient, try to avoid them.  Generally the tools are very low quality and tend to break in mid carve, something I learned from experience when I had a little pumpkin saw snap while carving and almost had it sent through my palm. 

If you are looking to create a pumpkin with several layers, I would recommend reading our article on Secrets to a Perfect Jack-o-Lantern but whether you are going all out or simply cutting a traditional Jack, I would strongly recommend purchasing a large clay loop tool.  These are great for thinning the skin and work much better than a spoon.

Knives should be kept small.  Usually a sturdy paring knife works perfectly and so does a sturdy steak knife.  Make sure that the blade is strong and doesn’t bend when it meets resistance.  If you can find good quality pumpkin carving tools, invest the few extra dollars in some.  Having smaller tools that won’t bend or break is great for carving out the finer details safely.  Never use large cutting knives.

The Grand Design:

As we all know, the design of a pumpkin is very important; it is, after all, what gives the Jack personality.  It is very important, when you are carving a pumpkin, to never allow children to carve.  Instead, have them draw the design onto the pumpkin and have an adult handle all the carving. 

Drawing the design first is also an excellent way for adults to stay safe and focused on what they are doing and the end result is often much better than if you just started hacking away at a pumpkin.

Setting the Stage:

Where you carve your pumpkin is just as important as carving it.  Personally, I prefer to carve a pumpkin on the floor.  I lay large garbage bags and newspaper around the area; the tools up on a high counter behind me where the kids can’t get to them.  I find that I avoid more slips, and the risk of the pumpkin falling off the table.  The only problem that I have ever had with carving on the floor is my dog stealing pumpkin guts before I thought to sequester him to a different room.

If you choose to work on a table, make sure it is sturdy enough to take the weight of the pumpkin and also make sure your tools will be out of the way of children.  Also make sure the area is clean and dry when you are working.

Getting to the Guts of the Situation:

Now let’s get to the actual guts of the situation, the carving.  When you are carving, it is important to start with a clean and dry pumpkin.  Also make sure that everything else is dry so your hands are less likely to slip on the knife. 

You will want to pull out the guts of the pumpkin first.  Make sure you dispose of them before you start anything else with the pumpkin.  Clean up the floor to avoid any spills that will cause a slip.  Once the area is clean, your pumpkin is cleaned out and the design is on, you can start carving.

Many times, you will find that the pumpkin skin and flesh is very thick.  The best way to deal with this is to scrap the inside on the side you will be carving.  Use the clay loop tool and it will pull off the flesh easily until you have about ½ in. to 1 in. thickness to the area.  Having a thinner skin to work with will make cutting much easier and there will be less chance of the blade bending.

When you are carving work in small areas.  Don’t carve out large pieces, such as a mouth and make sure that you take your time. Don’t rush since that is when you will start being careless.

Another tip to follow is to keep your free hand away from the inside of the pumpkin.  The knife will be going through the pumpkin and if you are holding it with your hand either grasping the top or right inside, you could easily hit a finger.  Instead, place your hand on the side of the pumpkin to steady it. 

Lastly, cut in small strokes and if it is possible, cut away in layers.  You can do this by using shallow, short cuts and then using a spoon to lift the first layer of flesh –usually the skin—from the pumpkin.  Once you remove the skin, you have only soft pumpkin flesh to remove and you won’t need as much force.

After following the tips above, you should have an excellent pumpkin and all your digits still happily intact.

Despite all the new Halloween decorations that are available at stores across the country, I have found that the most important item you can have on your doorstep isn’t some screaming witch or twitching robot zombie but actually a well-carved Jack-o-Lantern. I have seen it over and over, the carefully decorated yard, the scary figures swaying on the patio and the first thing the children say is, “Look at the pumpkin.”

It is a little refreshing to hear that after years spent with high tech equipment, something as simple as a carved pumpkin is still enjoyed by the masses. But with that comforting thought, many Halloween decorators find themselves in the whole new area; how to have the perfect Jack-o-Lantern.

Thankfully, having a perfect Jack-o-Lantern really isn’t that difficult and it all comes down to a few things that you should remember; shape, size, color and carving. In this article, I will take you through the process of carving and if you are looking for more information on finding an excellent pumpkin; read our article “The Great Pumpkin Hunt.”

So you think you’re an expert carver? Yep, I’ve been there; my Jack-o-Lanterns have featured many different shapes for eyes, mouths and noses. I have even added the occasional ear. As nice as those pumpkins were, and I still carve traditional Jack-o-Lanterns now and then, I definitely wasn’t an expert carver.

And what does it take to become an expert carver? Well, actually, it isn’t a very hard thing to become. Basically, it all comes down to having the right tools and possibly the right patterns.

If you go to any store, you will probably see a handful of pumpkin carving kits. They are filled with scoops, cheap knives with orange handles and a few other instruments that you usually just toss away. These are not the tools that I was talking about. Sure, some of them come in really handy but for the most part, they either break or bend or they are simply not used.

Now, if you are serious about becoming an expert carver, by-pass all those useful pumpkin carving sets and drive over to a local craft store. There you will pick up a few of the following items and it will probably run you the same amount as the pre-made kits.

• Exacto knife and blade: If you can find a scalpel blade, all the better, but if you can’t don’t worry. A sharp exacto is fine but try to find one with a good grip since things get slippery during pumpkin carving.
• Clay Loop Tools: These are tools found in art and craft stores in the sculpting department. Basically, they are a looped blade on a wooden handle. You can buy complete sets but I have found that I only use the large loop and the small loop.
• Serrated Pumpkin Saw: Okay, this is actually not a must and I prefer to use a serrated kitchen knife but it is a matter of preference.
• Drill Bits: This is used to simply poke holes and lift out pieces of pumpkin.
There are a number of other tools that you can purchase but I have never really needed them.

After you have the tools, you will need to have a pattern to go from, or you will need to draw one onto the pumpkin if you happen to be more artistic than I am. Pumpkin patterns can be purchased at many stores or you can download them from sites such as Zombie Pumpkins or The Pumpkin Wizard.

Once you have a pumpkin pattern, it’s time to get started. Many carvers will recommend that the pattern be pricked into the pumpkin but I find it much easier to follow a pattern if I trace it onto the skin of the pumpkin with a marker – or have my husband sketch it on for me. If you choose the former, take a large needle and poke through the pattern, tracing it with pin pricks.

Remove the pattern and start cutting. Well…sort of.

It is actually a little more advanced than that, especially when you are trying to carve SpongeBob Squarepants into a pumpkin. Like all pumpkin carving, you want to start by opening up the top and scooping out the guts of the pumpkin.

Once it is cleaned, you can start carving. Most patterns are done with black and gray patterns and these designs show you where to cut through the pumpkin and where to simply carve away the pumpkin skin and part of the flesh.

The first step that you will do, following your pattern, is cut out the spaces where you are carving straight through the pumpkin. One tip that most carvers will give is to leave the pieces in the pumpkin until after everything has been cut. Once all the holes have been carved into the pumpkin, simply pop the pieces out.

After that, you will need to carve the other areas. This is done with the exacto blade, cutting down halfway through the pumpkin. Lift out pieces as you go along with the various tools at your disposal.

Lastly, using the clay tools, clean up the spots you have carved. At this point, you will want to work in a dark area with the pumpkin lit from inside. This will give you the opportunity to see where you need to thin out the pumpkin and will also show you how the image is coming out.

After that, your pumpkin will be the awe of the neighborhood and you will be able to enjoy that sentence that everyone loves, “Look at the wonderful pumpkin!”