The Magic Of Martha #2 - Celestial Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving always conjures up warm memories of my childhood when my father would aid me in carving out simple faces into our bright orange decorations. Here is a simple and quick tutorial that gives a fresh and lovely take on traditional carved pumpkins!

 

You Will Need:

• Pumpkin
• Drill with 1/4 Bit
• String Holiday Lights
• Spoon
• Carving Knife

1. Using the carving knife, cut the bottom of the pumpkin off. The hole should be circular and big enough for you to put your hand through so you can clean out the innards of the pumpkin.
2. Use the spoon to clean out the pumpkin.
3. Set the pumpkin right side up and start to drill holes into the pumpkin with the drill. The pattern can be whatever you choose, whether it is a random or organised pattern or a constellation.
4. Set the pumpkin upside down again so you can put the lights in the hole. Push each individual bulb through the drilled holes.
5. Set the pumpkin right side up again and run the cord to a power source through the main bottom hole.

Steps 4 + 5

See the original tutorial here.

Martha Is Just So Darn Crafty! (The Magic of Martha #1)

I have a confession to make - not all of the decorations I use during Halloween are designed and crafted by me (like the Halloween Tree) or are store-bought (be sure to check out the new products from Spirit online if you haven't already done so!) Some of the best ideas are from... wait for it... Martha Stewart! No joke! I actually anticipate her Halloween issue, which is chock full of really nifty decorating ideas, so I am starting a new segment on La Vie Macabre, and it is called "The Magic of Martha"! Each post, I will share a tutorial, recipe, idea, or inspiration photos from Martha Stewart's Halloween section on her website.

One of my personal favorites from a past issue (Halloween Issue 2004, to be exact) can be found at her website's Halloween Central, which has hundreds of pictures of her own creepy creations. It is called the Head Waiter Tray, and this serving tray is a sure fire way to make your next gathering a bit creepier.

You Will Need:

• 10 paper towels (crumpled)
• Enough swaths of gauze to cover the display surface of the tray
• Brewed coffee or strong black tea
• Two tablespoons flour
• One tablespoon corn syrup or Mod Podge glue
• Craft stick
• Styrofoam head (A cheap one can be purchased at Sally's Beauty online for $3.99)

You will start by dipping the paper towels and gauze in the coffee or tea, wringing them out of they don't have any extra liquid, crumpling them up, and leaving them to dry for a couple of days while they are still crumpled. You will have to wait two days or so before they dry, but when they do, you mix the solution of two tablespoons flour, one tablespoon tea or coffee, and one tablespoon of corn syrup or Mod Podge. Mix the ingredients together with a craft stick, and you apply the mixture in a thin layer on one section of the head. This is when you take the dried paper towels, uncrumple them, tear them into smaller pieces or strips, and spread over the section of the head. Repeat until the head is covered, and then arrange the gauze at the base of the head on the tray. You are now ready to serve your guests in a scary style!

If you want more detailed instructions or would rather watch an instructional video, here is the original post on Martha's website.