Fall is not my favorite time of year. Flowers are dying off, the days get shorter and
winter is coming.
winter is coming.
Also, orange is not really one of my favorite colors but, I have to admit, the orange leaves and orange pumpkins do look warm and bright against my stone fireplace.
Blue and orange are complimentary colors so they look great together.
It's good.
I need my home feel warm and happy. We have always done cute, not scary decorating at our house for Halloween even though my older daughter loves creepy stuff.
Happy pumpkins and black cats are our style. Little battery operated lights added to my autumn leaf wreath create a happy nighttime twinkle. Wire the battery box to the back of the wreath so no wires show.
A couple years ago, I found some fun gold glittery polka dotted pumpkins from Joann Fabrics and Crafts that were definitely a happy addition to my mantle. You could easily make some by decorating plain white craft pumpkins or painting polka dots on a gold pumpkins.
A couple years ago, I found some fun gold glittery polka dotted pumpkins from Joann Fabrics and Crafts that were definitely a happy addition to my mantle. You could easily make some by decorating plain white craft pumpkins or painting polka dots on a gold pumpkins.
They will stay there through Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving decorations will replace the Halloween things and all the fall things will stay until it's time to decorate for Christmas.
Some battery operated tea lights add some nice flickering light. They're great because there is no fire concern.
One of my favorite fall decorations is this crow. One of my girls made it in pre school out of newspaper, masking tape painted black, feathers and gems for the eyes. I just love it! It's super easy to make!
Some battery operated tea lights add some nice flickering light. They're great because there is no fire concern.
The skull bottle is as spooky as we get around here. lol!
Halloween is always a fun time. Costumes, makeup and pumpkin carving are all good.
My very favorite decorations are black cats. I am the cat lady after all!
Here is my black cat carved pumpkin jack o lantern that I love to make for Halloween.
It's made out of two pumpkins and a gourd.
The bottom oblong pumpkin is solid and uncarved. The small round pumpkin is carved for the head. The tail is a gourd. Thin spaghetti makes great whiskers. The kitty's nose is a sequin. The rhinestone collar and ears are felt pinned to the pumpkin.
My cats get a little freaked out by the glowing eyes at first🤣
It's looks impressive and is really easy to make.
It can be any size you like according to the size pumpkins you use.
How to make a Black Cat Carved Pumpkin with Glowing Eyes
How to Make a Pumpkin Black Cat video
I made a little youtube video to show you how it's done
Supplies:
A large oblong pumpkin with a nice stem for the body
A small round pumpkin for the head
A gourd for the tail
Spaghetti for the whiskers, 6 pieces
Black felt for the ears
Orange felt, sequins and rhinestones for the collar
A large pink sequin for the nose
Pumpkin carving tools
A marker
Black craft paint or black spray paint
Straight pins
Scissors
Hot glue and craft glue
Battery operated tea light
Step 1: Carve the Small Pumpkin
Cut a circle into the small pumpkin around stem, remove the top and hollow it out. The opening will be the bottom of the cat's head.
Draw the cat's eyes on the pumpkin then carve eyes in the small pumpkin for the cat's head. Remember, the carved opening will be on the bottom. I made eyes out of paper first to use as a stencil so it was easy to make both eyes the same size.
Notes: The pumpkin I used for the head happened to be a pie pumpkin which is harder and denser than a carving pumpkin. A bit more difficult to carve. Look for carving pumpkins for easier carving. Sometimes, the right size pumpkin happens to be a pie pumpkin and you just have to go for it!
It helps if you have the right carving tools. Not cheap ones that are dull and bend when you use them.
Save the pumpkin seeds from your carved pumpkin for roasting.
Step 2: Paint The Head, Body and Tail
Two coats of acrylic craft paint works well to paint the pumpkins and gourd black. I like the matte finish. It can scratch off kind of easily, though. Black spray paint in a matte or glossy finish would also work. It's faster but my husband always manages to see the teeniest bit of overspray and gives me a hard time about it, so painting with a brush is the best choice for me.
Step 3: Cut the Collar and Ears
While the paint is drying, cut two triangles out of black felt for the ears. Cut a strip of orange felt to fit around the "neck" of the cat for the cat's collar.
Decorate the collar with sequins and rhinestones and let the glue dry.
Step 4: Assemble the Pumpkins
Put the small pumpkin on top of the large pumpkin. The stem of the large pumpkin helps secure the small pumpkin in place.
Step 5: Decorate
Add the felt collar around the neck and pin with straight pins to the large pumpkin.
Pin the ears on the small pumpkin.
Use hot glue to attach the whiskers.
Add a large pink sequin for the nose. You can pin it or glue it on.
Step 6: Add a candle
Remove the head. Place a battery operated tea light on the top of the large pumpkin and replace the head. The tea light makes the purrfect glowing eyes!!!
This pumpkin cat especially freaked out one of my cats it's glowing eyes!😺 I'm so glad I caught her reaction on video.
I'm thinking about making another one from those carvable pumpkins and foam pumpkins that are sold in craft stores so I have a permanent pumpkin kitty to put out every year.
I'm thinking about making another one from those carvable pumpkins and foam pumpkins that are sold in craft stores so I have a permanent pumpkin kitty to put out every year.
Comments
Post a Comment