Mmm, there’s nothing like prancing around a pumpkin patch IN 90-DEGREE WEATHER.
Ugh. Fall, it’s normally not hard to love you, so why. WHY???
Anyway – it’s crazy to think that Halloween is already just nine short days away. And if that also means you’re running out of excuses to continue putting off that annual love/hate relationship you have with carving pumpkins, then do we have a fix for you!
Now, don’t get me wrong. Pumpkin carving is cool. I mean, I never actually did it for real for real until just a few years ago, but at the same time…there’s no denying the mess. Or the smell. Or how it feels like they’ve already rotted before you even ~really~ have time to enjoy them.
So from all of that we came up with a solution. Something cuter, cleaner & that can still be just as creepy if you get the beady eyes right: PUMPKITTENS!
A feline fierce take on classic jack-o-lantern vibes, mini pumpkitten squads are the answer to our pleas of ornamented squash vitality. Since we’re painting instead of cutting into the pumpkins, they’re guaranteed to last loads longer. PLUS, unless you’re a regular Michael Myers with knives, this method provides way more creative control with just as much customizable potential, too!
Seriously, it wasn’t until just YESTERDAY that we finally threw away the lone survivor of last year’s crop. So especially if you’re one to consider Halloween decor as just decor, then this project is totally up your alley.
// WHAT YOU NEED //
+ Mini pumpkins
+ All-purpose craft paint (black & green)
+ A very thin paintbrush
+ A pencil
+ Black pipe cleaners (2 per pumpkin; cut into 3.5-inch pieces)
+ Flexible black craft/jewelry wire (6 per pumpkin; cut into 1.5- to 2-inch pieces)
// STEPS //
++ Use the pencil to lightly sketch an outline of the face, including the eyes, nose & mouth.
++ With an exceptionally steady hand, first paint the green portion of the eyes. Let dry & apply a second coat.
++ Wash your brush & then paint the black portion of the eyes and outline the nose/mouth. Let dry.
++ Bend your pipe cleaners into the shape of a cat’s ear & stick them into the top of the pumpkin in an applicable, ear-like position.
++ Finally, stick half of the wire pieces on each side of the mouth & fan them out to resemble whiskers.
(NOTE: if your pumpkin(s) are unusually hard, you might need to use a toothpick, psycho ice pick or any other sharpish object to make a small, prelim puncture before sticking your pipe cleaners and/or wire into place)
And there you have it! Adorably festive (& somewhat everlasting) pumpkittens ready to usher in yet another fabulously spooky season.
Let us know how they turn out for you!
xxAA
MSFT Living 