The Pumpkin Lady

Day 161 - Sunny

2010-04-08T23:38:00.002-04:00

Gorgeous. Happy. Sunny. That's Spring at the moment. As much as I've enjoyed the snow we've had this winter....more than the last ten winters combined!...I'm utterly gleeful over the ability to bask again in warm sun! And yet, with bluebirds on the fenceposts and azaleas bursting forth, I still have pumpkins on the brain. Today, I was at the grocery store, perusing strawberries and cucumbers, when these amazing eggplants caught my eye. One was the usual aubergine...a deep Halloween purple that almost glowed in its intensity...ahhhhhhh but the other! The other! White! Pure glossy ghostly shimmery glistening White! Paper white. Scared stiff white. Sheets hanging on the clothesline white. Amazing. And all I wanted to do was toss aside my cart and begin carving something....anything!!!!! Who said you have to wait until October to carve something! Let the games begin!

Day 160 - My Fangy Friend

2010-04-07T13:31:00.000-04:00

I own a bevy of black cats...always have and always will! But sometimes it's fun to play with their photos. CVP was caught on camera by my hubby just before a yawn, making an awkward little grimace with just the tips of his fangs showing. Kind of looks like he's burping to me! (which, trust me, is way more characteristic of Zip who burps on a regular basis!).

Day 159 - B is for Bobber

2010-04-06T23:59:00.003-04:00

B is for Bobber, black cat, and my beautiful boy. In just two more months he will be 18 years old! I've had black cats all of my life...even before becoming a Halloween enthusiast. And I don't plan on ever going a day without at least one black cat in my life (there's three at the moment, not counting the rest of our herd!). They say that black cats bring bad luck...but I think the day we rescued him and his brother, Spinner, was one of my luckiest days ever (and for them, too, since it was their last day!)!

Bravo for black cats and those who love them!

Day 158 - Enough is Enough!

2010-04-05T01:25:00.004-04:00

I'm losing it. Enough is enough! I STILL have about twenty pumpkins in my house...okay...probably more like thirty! I keep carving and they're like dust bunnies that keep mulitplying I swear! I carved at least twenty last week and there still seems to be as much as before! It's driving me crazy because, until they're gone, my brain can't move on to other ideas. I'm literally dreaming about them while my cats use them to play can't touch floor.

Somebody help!

Day 157 - Easter Sparkle

2010-04-04T19:17:00.000-04:00

Easter wouldn't be complete without chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, eggs and....drag queens! It has become our family tradition to attend Richmond's Monument Avenue Easter Parade. We're talking a serious people watching event! Thousands of people stroll the streets...along with about a thousand dogs and a few good ole' fashion drag queens which bring a whole lotta sparkle and character to the event! Every year we make our Easter hats, and each year we've won something in the Easter Bonnet competitions (this year, our son won us four tickets to a baseball game...go Flying Squirrels!). It's a great picture taking event! We were able to grab a quick pic with our favorite queen, Sirena Sparkle, posing here with my hubby, Jack. I'd do about anything for her earrings!

Happy Easter!

Day 156 Too Much Coffee!

2010-04-03T11:14:00.000-04:00

Admittedly, I'm looking way too much like this picture. Coffee and me have become best buds. Inseparable. Granted, I may look bug-eyed but at least I'm awake! very, Very, VERY AWAKE!!!

Day 155 - Turtle Turtle

2010-04-02T00:07:00.001-04:00

Once warm weather hits my thoughts immediately turn to the beach...okay...so, maybe just being awake is enough to make me think about the beach and....um...actually....breathing is enough to make me dream about the beach! So, I've created a whole line of beachy patterns that will debut in just a few more weeks on www.pumpkinlady.com. Now, you might not have a pumpkin to carve, but watermelons are perfect for carving and would look fabulous with this little sea turtle or one of my other beachy themed patterns....look for them soon!

Day 154 - April Showers

2010-04-01T23:22:00.003-04:00

Bring May pumpkins! This is my home studio...and yes, though today is April Fool's day this is no joke...these pumpkins still remain! I still have lots to carve before these final babies rot though I have absolutely NO idea as to what to do with them...got any ideas? The problem is that there's so much more I want to do, but my brain is stuck on these and I can't create anything else until these are happily carved and the ideas for them are out of my head!

A penny...or should I say pumpkin...for your thoughts!

Day 153 - Halloween Cats

2010-03-31T23:21:00.005-04:00

Back in October, my husband and son brought home two scraggly little feral kittens they'd found shivering under a bush at a gas station down the road. Cold and soaked and completely wild, that night they'd found their first warm, safe, bed...out of the thirty degree nights. They were about five weeks old. Now, at about seven months old, they've wormed their furry little hearts into our family and, as you can see from their photos, they are anything but wild! They've gone from wildcats to lap cats. We are so grateful that they're here, and we're still thrilled with the names chosen from the Name the Kitten contest: Zip and Zoomies. The names fit them perfectly! (lol when they're awake, that is!)

Day 152 - I Feel Dirty

2010-03-30T21:00:00.000-04:00

I feel dirty. Maybe not for the reasons you may be thinking (People! Get your minds out of the gutter!). Last Sunday family joined us in attending my son's high school's Spring musical. We dropped him off early so he could get ready, and we went out to lunch to pass the time (and yes, we did give Him lunch before we left! Ahem!). Mistake. Big Mistake. Our family wanted to go to a buffet. The greasy home style stuff your face and unbutton your pants til you pop buffet. I didn't want to go....but I thought that surely I could find something to eat? Right?

Now, for those of you who have been following my adventures, you may remember that we've switched to a vegetarian diet. We're not quite 100%, probably closer to 95% at the moment, but we are happily getting there and have been feeling much better for it. We're eating lots of leafies and healthy things....low sodium....healthy fats...lots of plain ole good stuff for ya. Until Sunday. We walked in and I should have thrown some wretched fit and faked the plague to have gotten myself out of there. The restaurant was DIRTY. When you walk in and the place they hand you a drink and the soda area is dirty....don't walk...RUN outta the restaurant! Took forever to find seats...and they were dirty and had to be exchanged with another table. I'm thinking if this is what the front of the place looks like, God help what's in the kitchen!

My hubby and I looked like deer in the car headlights. We meandered around, trying to find things to eat, bumping into each other comparing bare plates and then making another round. He came back to the table with some anemic broccoli, a small piece of meatloaf, and some grilled onions and peppers (though I had wondered if he'd seen that nasty grill!). I came away with shrimp and a piece of fried chicken. I know. Meat. But I literally didn't know what to eat and thought that I could take the skin off and dirty hands couldn't have handled the rest of it and it was the only thing not swimming in extra colored sauce so I could see if it had been cooked all the way through thus killing all the bacteria. I got back to the table, pulled all the breading off the shrimp...and it wasn't cooked. Ew.

Round two....I see my hubby's plate. Grapes. Seriously? Grapes. The best part of the whole day. I went back around the salad bar again and grabbed my own stash. Found some unwilted lettuce (soaked, mind you, but at least it had been rinsed!), some croutons and grated cheddar. Topped it all off with half a piece of nauseatingly sweet carrot cake. On a scale of one to ten this place was a negative 40. The amazing thing is that people were loving it...despite the fact that vats of hand sanitizer were placed around the buffet...and sometimes OVER the food! They were piling mounds of food and sauces on their plates and into their bodies and I felt nauseas...both at the fact of what they were eating and the thought that I used to eat like that too!!! How horrible! And I LIKED it! What was I thinking?

A truly terrifying Halloween type of day! Today's pumpkin carving expresses my feelings perfectly. Even a few days later, I feel like going and getting a jar of Metamucil and downing the whole thing while praying that the fiber combs the nastiness outta me. Oh my. Oh ick. Oh how merciful the barfing Gods would have been if I could have just gotten the little I did eat out of me! I later told my husband that if he ever took us back to that place that I would throw the Queen Mother of Hissy Fits and bodily fling myself into the Butter Bar because God knows that everything will stop if we can't coat it in butter so it will slide more easily through our clogged little veins. I swear by all that is green and leafy that I will never go to a cheap buffet again! ACK!

Time Flies

2010-03-24T10:27:00.004-04:00

Can you believe it's almost April and I still have REAL pumpkins in my house? I carved this little face yesterday...it's how I feel right now about the pace of life. I've lived on super speed my Entire life...with nary a vacation or down time. I really wish that were an exaggeration but it's terribly true. In the last few months I've filled my time with organizing my home and studio, clearing up clutter, and dealing with all of the recent budget cuts affecting my son's school and our local community...sooooo not fun. But now much of that is done, and I'm finding a schedule that is, well, relatively free. Not totally mind you! I spend my evenings running up and down the road for hours to get my son to various rehearsals...coordinating his schedule has literally become a part time job! But my day time hours have become, shall we say, less scheduled.

And, oddly enough, though I've yearned my whole life to look at my calendar and see a week relatively "free" of appt.'s and to-do lists, I feel as busy as ever. My rooms have become uncluttered and yet my mind acts like it's racing in a perpetual Kentucky Derby...zooming in circles. Thirty eight years of pent up ideas are all bouncing around, creating a mosh pit in my mind. Every thing is tumbling out and it all demands attention....all wants to be drawn, sculpted, written, doodled, photographed, experimented with. NOW. Right This Second. Soooo much so that I'm having trouble getting out of my own footsteps! I don't know which end is up! I know, it's a good problem to have...one that I've wanted...but it is all so bewildering that I can, for a few brief moments, decide what I Want to do rather than just what I Have to do.

Though sometimes wants and have to's do mix. I do want, and have to, get back to my daily Halloween creation. With so much freedom I feel a little discipline is called for! And those posts will begin again daily on March 30th. Pattern ideas are stealthily creeping up on me and I may put a few out for watermelon carving to celebrate the arrival of warm weather. However, those will wait a few weeks longer as I finish up the last of the pumpkin patch sitting on my dining room floor. Lots of good things to come in the fleeting days ahead...I hope you'll join me on my new adventures.....

Barnes and NoideawhatI'mdoing

2010-02-05T15:00:00.004-05:00

It's supposed to snow
like the second coming and instead of being at home snuggled with my herd of cats, I visit one of my favorite places on earth: Barnes and Noble. Since I am relatively clueless on vegetarian cooking (geez, even my salads have meat!), I figure I'd buy a vegetarian cookbook to start me on my way. I head to the clearance section, and find one or two...nice. I'm a sucker for pretty photos. And yet, I think that they've got to have a million more, right? The sad thing about my life is that I'm NEVER satisfied with just one or two choices. I'm a totally out of the box kinda girl. Give me a million choices so I can manipulate it however I want when I want how I want. (kinda like pumpkin carving don't you think?).

And yet, sometimes we have to be careful about what we ask for in life. I go to the cooking section and see a chair, set about two feet back, facing an eight foot wall of cookbooks. What happened to the poor soul who needed to sit down because she was so overwhelmed by the flood of information before her? Oh, I know! She's me! Do you KNOW how many veggie vegan wear a mumu while gettin' your earthy crunchy groove on books there are? I sit in the chair. Okay, maybe not sit exactly. More like, fall back glassy eyed while trying to catch my breath and look for a means to escape. Too much. Too soon. I need bite sized portions...not the whole save the world go green history of evolution. I make a run for the magazine section.

And find....pretty much nothing. So, eight million books on veggieism....but no magazines? No Chickenette Soy Like Vegetation Soup for the Soul Snippets? I vaguely remember a magazine someone once mentioned...Vegetarian Times. Surely that? Nope. Nothing. Nada. I shuffle left and right. Peel back issues until I find VegNews with a smiling picture of Alicia Silverstone...which, despite her whole crooked speech thing, is vaguely reassuring since she has to die for glowing skin and is eating a cookie...now THAT's my kind of food! But that's the cover. I glance through it. Why are all the ads showing all these older ladies wearing bright colored mumus, flowers everywhere, all looking like they're about to give you a pat on the head and call you a good girl if you just eat your soy patty? Sigh. Beggars can't be choosers. I grab the magazine, head back to the clearance section, and buy the book with the prettiest pictures. If I eat all this stuff, will I look like the plump flower hat lady? Or Alicia Silverstone?

Alicia may your Kind Diet truly be kind to me!

Children of the Quorn

2010-02-05T00:38:00.005-05:00

Okay, armed with my new resolution to find meat substitutes, I head to my local Food Lion for a quick trip before the snow sets in. It's been redesigned not to long ago, so it has a farmer's market style and a hip new pricey little organic section. I'm thinking there's got to be a ton of meat substitute stuff in there, right? Lot's of soy happiness that's got to taste better than cardboard, right? I felt....lost. Standing there, mouth gaping open, recognizing very little. I shuffle back to the meat section, thinking maybe by the ground beef or turkey there'd be a miraculously tasty little tofu concoction. Nothing. But it's not like I could look for long as the back aisle has become a new version of the bumper cars. Little old ladies jousting each other for the last loaf of bread and gallon of milk while macho men snag Doritos and beanie weenies and talk about the big game. A major snow storm and the Super Bowl is not the time to peruse at any grocery store. I keep getting bumped further down the aisles.

Still nothing.

I feel....frustrated. Confused. Hopelessly inept. I make it to the bread aisle and at least grab some whole wheat bagel thins for what I'm hoping will be sloppy Joe's for dinner. I zig zag ten aisles around shoppers growing grumpier by the minute (did someone say they saw a few snowflakes in the parking lot? Heavens, hurry!). Finally, I'm back to the refrigerated organics. Chik n' stuff. Rice Dreams. Soy Milk. No hormones. Healthy right? I can at least mix it until it tastes "normal," right? I scan one last time...and the heavens open....

QUORN! quorn?

Mycoprotein great for burgers and sloppy Joes. YES! Sloppy Joes! There is a God and he makes Quorn...in Europe! From....what? what's a mycoprotein? Some fungi that grows in the company's back yard? Fine. Okay. Let's face it...how many years have I been pouring saturated fats into my thighs? Can't be worse than that, can it? Live life on the edge! I run to the checkout, buy my goodies, and rush home.

My son looks at me like there's lobsters growing out of my ears. And yet, to his credit, we open the microwave heated (it's already cooked! Heavenly!) package of Quorn and see....ground beef? Looks like ground beef. Smells kinda like it. FEELS like it. We taste it.

HALLELUJAH!

How do they do that? Whatever a mycoprotein is I'm loving it! MY FIFTEEN YEAR OLD LOVES IT! In it goes into the heating pan of sloppy Joe sauce then onto my healthy whole wheat buns that will hopefully keep the fat off my buns! My hubby, Jack, comes home...tries it...has NO idea that it's not meat! Oh Quorn how do I love thee, let me count the ways! There is hope for this baffled little veggie newbie!

Now, YOU go to the store and buy some Quorn....I'm going to do a little Googling and learn what my meaty little mycoproteins are. Children of the Quorn, unite!

Back on (a new) Track

2010-02-03T22:15:00.006-05:00

I could go back...change the dates and times...and catch up on all the days that I missed. But I don't want to do that because I always prefer to keep things honest in my life. The idea of this blog was to create a little bit of Halloween every day for a year. Now, I do still plan on continuing that! However, the wonderful thing about creating something is that it is yours to change, to tweak, to grow or shrink as much as you want. Keeping this blog to just the daily Halloween doesn't somehow feel right to me. I want more.

To give you a brief update of what has happened in this month's absence, I was doing quite well keeping up with things until I got word that there were, shall we say, considerations of making changes that could shut down my son's Governor's school that he attends. Now, I don't have much in life. The Pumpkin Lady has become a mostly seasonal gig, so I'm always trying to make ends meet. I don't own a home. Retirement? Funny. And I probably owe way more on my car than it's worth. The only thing I have to give my son (besides love) is an education. That's it. It's all I have to give and maybe all I will ever have. But that will be enough. So when I hear that any locality, state, or otherwise may take that from him? Well, let's just say that I get a little hot under the collar. So, our days have been spent educating and lobbying for our schools. The good news? The school will stay open for at least another year. The bad news? A lot of painful budget cuts will be made...so our work is not yet done. So, there's still busy days ahead! I apologize for my absence...but not my reason for being absent!

And on a final note...to all of you who were there when we adopted our kittens this past fall...they are wonderful, funny, and bring more joy to our lives than we could have imagined. They are loved dearly and spoiled rotten! Never could I imagine ever letting go of them...or ever letting anyone harm them in any way. I am VERY passionate about my pets and animal welfare. However, what I've really learned about my life is that I am one big hypocrite. I would never allow anyone to hurt my animals ever....and yet every week I spend money at the grocery store, buying meat that is shipped in from factory farms. I've heard somewhat about the cruelty of what goes on in the animal farming industry. But I've never really seen it. Out of sight, out of mind as they say. Now don't get me wrong...there are some amazing farmers that do grow animals for the food industry that allow the animals to be free range, well cared for, and hormone free. I applaud you for leading the way. However, I'm positive that's NOT where my money has been going.

If you want to see for yourself, there are videos on the net. But please be warned, they are graphic, and horrible, and you will never be the same (check out www.meat.org - don't say I didn't warn you!). And yet...you need to see that footage. Again, I would NEVER allow anyone to ever harm any animal in my care...and yet, I have been supporting animal abuse and cruelty every week through how I spend my grocery dollars. But those days are over. I have no idea how to change my household to a vegetarian/vegan diet....but so help me God I will.

So, in the days ahead, my forays into a healthier lifestyle will also be added to this blog. If you really want Halloween horror, check out that site I mentioned. If you want a good laugh, keep reading this blog in the days ahead as I blunder about the changes that will and need to be made. And if you have any advice...I'm totally open to it! Recipes? Send them! Great ideas? Let's hear them. Here's to better days ahead for all creatures great and small!

Day 151 - Look Both Ways...

2009-12-29T11:04:00.003-05:00

How many times has your mother told you to look both ways before crossing the street?

This is why!

Day 150 - Snowflakes

2009-12-28T10:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, for the last century or more pumpkins have been associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving...but truthfully, they are just as beautiful when used for Christmas! White pumpkins, especially, make beautiful centerpieces when surrounded by red and green, or sculpted with snowflakes as luminaries in the snow, welcoming guests to your home. Next year, try something diffferent...Carve your Halloween pumpkin, but stretch your imagination and use them for the ENTIRE holiday season!

Day 149 - Off With His Head!

2009-12-27T08:21:00.001-05:00

It's amazing how creepy just a little pumpkin head can look all by itself....don't you think? Especially if it's screaming!

Day 148 - I Triple Dog Dare Ya!

2009-12-26T08:07:00.002-05:00

While being snowed in the last several days, I had the opportunity to watch "The Christmas Story" over and over...and over....again! One of my favorite scenes was when Schwartz was Triple Dog Dared to stick his tongue to the flagpole...which he did....and all his friends left him there! So, to all the fans of this movie, this ones for you!

Day 147 - Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T11:07:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas to all both near and far, may your wishes come true wherever you are!

Day 146 - Christmas Snow

2009-12-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

For the first time in more years than I can remember, we're having a white Christmas! Keeping with the snowy spirit, I turned pumpkins into winter luminaries. I think I'll save a few pumpkins every Halloween just for this! They're beautiful!

Day 145 - Catching Snowflakes

2009-12-23T20:29:00.001-05:00

Just as snow starts to lightly fall, I love running outside and trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue. Even at ninety I'll probably still wheel myself outside to do it! I think this picture sums up how we all feel about catching those first few flakes of the season!

Day 144 - The Crash

2009-12-22T22:25:00.001-05:00

Okay, so maybe sledding without opposable thumbs wasn't such a good idea!

Day 143 - Sledding!

2009-12-21T21:10:00.002-05:00

Today woke up bright and clear...blue skies above, crisp fallen snow below...the perfect day for sledding! Just because pumpkins don't have opposable thumbs doesn't mean they don't like a turn steering the sled!

Day 142 - Buried Alive

2009-12-20T20:07:00.000-05:00

Today we were buried...in snow! Living in an area that hardly ever if ever never rarely gets snow, it was a wonderful surprise to get a foot dumped on us...and not lose power! True, I can't get my car out of the yard and it might be days before doing so...but that's okay! The best part? My mind is working overtime creating. Images of pumpkins are dancing in my head...and the snow! Tomorrow is going to be a busy day!

Day 141 - Snowy Skull

2009-12-19T09:50:00.000-05:00

Over the course of the last few days we were hit with a Noreaster...a descent sized storm that left us with ten inches of snow! Loved it! Except that it buried my car! Before the ice set in, we decided to clean it off, but not before my son decided to use it as his blank canvas. I think his snowy skull turned out quite well!

Day 140 - After the Season

2009-12-18T23:10:00.002-05:00

When pumpkin season is "over," this is how I feel. It's an exhausting process! If only I could spread it out all year! Now, for Zip this is a ten minute power nap....but it's how I feel all the time!

Wouldn't it be nice to feel THAT GOOD?

Day 139 - Pumpkin Claus

2009-12-17T23:37:00.003-05:00

My son made me the perfect Christmas card in his German class today....meet Pumpkin Claus! I love this card! Written in German, it says, "Wir weinschen euch alle ein schones Weihnachtsfest!" Loosely translated, it says, "We wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Day 138 - Blue Man

2009-12-16T22:51:00.002-05:00

Carytown is a beautiful little mile of shops in Richmond, Va. It's a town within a town. And this Halloween it became Scarytown. Now, I couldn't get you the picture of the zombie postman riding his bicycle down the street, but I was able to get a snapshot of this Blue dude. He was finishing up a superhero costume though I couldn't tell you which superhero he was. Still, I just loved his blue glow!

Day 137 - Fruity Pumpkins

2009-12-15T21:32:00.002-05:00

Here's an easy pumpkin project for the kids, especially if you don't have a pumpkin to carve! Grab an orange or a smaller clementine, and with your fingers you can carve out a little face on each. Make a whole army of them for your breakfast table! This is one time your kids won't mind eating something healthy!

Day 136 - What's Bugging You?

2009-12-14T22:11:00.002-05:00

Let the buggy goodness continue! Today's creepy creation is a resin encased flower bug. This little bug has the most vivid deep orange coloration with black spots. The pendant's metal trim is a shiny silver and I've hung it from a black velvet cord for just the right gothic touch. If you'd like to get one for yourself, they'll be available on my ETSY site this Thursday, Dec 17th. Check it out!

Day 135 - You're Buggin'

2009-12-13T21:01:00.002-05:00

I love jewelry that's, well, different. Pretty, a hint of sparkle, sweet at first glance...until you take a second glance and realize that pretty little pendant is a bug! This little ten spotted beetle is a shimmery gold, but I'll have a scorpion and other beetles to show you soon. I made a few necklaces this week out of these resin encased beetles, adding a gothic style velvet cord. If you'd like to have one of your own, you can order them through my ETSY site as of Thursday, Dec. 17th. Check'em out!

Day 134 - Christmas Pumpkin

2009-12-12T20:54:00.001-05:00

A friend gave me this beautiful pumpkin. It's amazing! The skin is marbleized in shades of red and green....it's the perfect Christmas pumpkin! It's so pretty I don't have the heart to carve it!

Day 133 - Pumpkin Head

2009-12-11T23:52:00.000-05:00

You want to know the best thing about Halloween? Having friends to enjoy it with...friends who will do anything for you...even grow a big ole giant pumpkin head just for you!

Day 132 - CV Claus

2009-12-10T23:21:00.004-05:00

Halloween isn't the only holiday with costumes! Meet CV Claus! Thanks to abcfamily.com, I was able to turn my cat's picture into a holiday snowglobe. Check it out, then make one of your own! Copy and paste this link to see it: http://bit.ly/5Vj55c .

Day 131 - Gourdgeous

2009-12-09T23:05:00.002-05:00

Sometimes all you have to do to decorate your doorstep is to just set out nature's own little piece of artwork! Although I love carving pumpkins, the natural beauty of a variety of pumpkins and gourds is enough by itself to make a stunning display. You don't have to be an artist to appreciate a beautiful design...sometimes Mother Nature's touch is best left on its own if you really want something amazing by your front door.

Day 130 - Lucky Shot

2009-12-08T18:53:00.002-05:00

Sometimes life cuts you a break. My cats are notorious for moving at precisely .3 seconds before you take their picture. I am forever getting blurry shots of the top of their head, the inside of an ear, or someone's left nostril. Until now. I heard a tiny little chirp behind me and lo and behold CVP is in the photo tent. Posing. And I MEAN posing...he even gave me time to get the camera and take several shots while he held totally still.

I pretty sure this was his Christmas gift to me!

Isn't he the most beautiful black cat you've ever seen?

Not that I'm partial or anything!

Day 129 - Finals

2009-12-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

Like college students everywhere, I, too, have final projects due this week. And this photo tells you all you need to know about what they're doing to me! In my Drawing class, my final project has to be a self-portrait, drawn from life. Do you think this would be a good pose? Perhaps I should keep this face and go as a complete lunatic next Halloween?

Day 128 - Beautiful in Black

2009-12-06T01:17:00.003-05:00

Sock Monkey was an odd, "ugly duckling," sort of kitten...but he has long outgrown his lanky features and a beautiful Halloween cat has taken form. Of our herd, we call him the Miss America of cats (or should I say Mr. America?). All he wants is World Peace...for all of us to just get along. He's been the peacemaker between our new kittens and the older cats and has truly brought comfort to the household. I pray his reign as Mr. America is a long one!

Day 126 - Pumpkin Patterns

2009-12-04T23:58:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin patterns don't just refer to pumpkin carving. There are dozens and dozens and dozens of pumpkin varieties, and some have the most beautiful varigated patterns! This gourd has gourdgeous (sorry, I couldn't resist!) greens mottling its skin. Others have spots and stripes of red, gold, and amber. Next Halloween, don't forget that the leaves aren't the only things filled with Autumn's colors!

Day 125 - Uncle Sam

2009-12-03T23:59:00.000-05:00

What would Halloween be without amazing costumes? Or the theater? My son's latest theatrical endeavor has him walking in a parade scene as Uncle Sam. Drywall stilts and velcro pants are amazing inventions! Since we're all vertically challenged in our family, we joke that this is the only way any of us will ever be tall!

I think tomorrow night we'll hand him a basketball so one of us will finally be able to dunk the ball!

Day 127 - Eye See You

2009-12-03T23:55:00.002-05:00

Had this very cool little paper mache skull that I thought would make a great little Halloween artifact. We lit the skull with a flashlight and snapped a photo of it. The photo was just "okay". But when paired with a Photoshop filter? Creepy goodness!

Day 124 - Wild Things?

2009-12-02T23:35:00.002-05:00

I've discovered Where the Wild Things Are! Slipping into a coma on the computer table. My hubby has succumbed to their charms and set up a little blanket bed by his monitor. This is what happens to Wild Things after a six hour play session. As you can see, Zip and Zoomies are still living the good life!

Day 123 - Indian Summer

2009-12-01T08:48:00.003-05:00

Today's little pumpkin was created by Emma, a school friend of my son. It's so simple to do...a little splash of paint, beads, and a few feathers creates the perfect litttle pumpkin for Indian Summer, that last return to warm days before winter sets in...generally with a vengance. Which it did. Today. Waking up to thirty one degrees and frost so heavy it looked like snow! But with this little pumpkin we can hold on to warm thoughts and Fall's color just a little bit longer before embracing this season's red and green.

Anyone seen my coat?

Day 122 - What Rake?

2009-11-30T23:43:00.002-05:00

Rake? What rake? I don't see any reason why we'd need a rake...or a leaf blower...or the force of a giant hurricane to find our yard again! Two acres of leafy carpet where grass once stood! There are officially more leaves on the ground than in the trees. I bet if we took a big piece of cardboard we could sled right down the hill into the lake! About the only one happy about the leafy mess right now is Little Bit, another furry member of our feline herd. He's having a blast searching for little critters under the leaves and chasing leaves on the wind. I'd be happy, too, if I didn't have to clean it up!

Maybe for Christmas I'll tell Santa to just forget the presents and just send the elves to help instead!

Day 121 - New Toys

2009-11-29T00:15:00.003-05:00

Every time I go into Michael's I feel like a kid in a toy store! Every toy my little heart desires is right there at my fingertips! I haven't had paint pens in awhile, so when I saw gold I had to buy it! I traced the leaves I found yesterday, then loosely drew in the veins before filling the leaves with the gold paint.

Beautiful!

Day 120 - Tis the Season

2009-11-28T23:55:00.000-05:00

I am in awe of Fall. I can't get enough of the colors around me...rich, earthy browns, sunset golds, Tuscan reds. My eyes bounce from leaf to leaf, each prettier than the last. I'm going to cherish these last few days of fall while the final tendrils of color slip through my fingers...and dream of next year!

Day 119 - Black Friday

2009-11-27T23:32:00.002-05:00

So today, shoppers everywhere were buying computers, cameras, sweaters....me? Well, I'll give you three guesses! I bought 13 to be exact...lol appropriate number for me, don't ya think?

Day 118 - PotatAHHHS!

2009-11-26T16:58:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without Turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, biscuits and skulls...er....I mean potatoes! And now that this little guy has been carved, it's time we add him to the pot! Nothing like butter and mashed skulls...um...I mean mashed potatoes....to complete our Thanksgiving dinner!

Day 117 - Hairy Herbert

2009-11-25T23:21:00.003-05:00

Spent all day taking pictures of pumpkins...again! I sooooo want to take a day off - Thanksgiving would be nice - but I can only do that if my brain lets me! When you work from home as an artist, you are definitely at the mercy of your imagination as far as scheduling is concerned!

Today I found a bag of black feathers that looked more like hair than feathers to me! As it was about time to toss out this pumpkin, I thought I could hide a few bad spots and make it useful one last time! Tomorrow, it's going to be pumpkin pie for possums!

Day 116 - Goobers

2009-11-24T09:50:00.002-05:00

There's an old saying, "Never work with children or animals." What if your working with three grown children that act like animals? It took eight millions photos like this one here before I finally got one or two to work with! They laughed. They giggled. They poked and wiggled. Stuck their tongues out. Made noises I won't describe here. Talk about working with a big bunch of goobers! And yet, I still claim them as my guys...three generations that still love each other...and me.

Day 115 - They're All In On It!

2009-11-23T09:05:00.000-05:00

Since the beginning, The Pumpkin Lady has been a family business...our son was the one who first begged for a carving kit that led us to where we are today! And after eleven years, we've managed to somehow drag everyone into it! Take our little pre-Thankgiving visit to see the in-laws. Upon discovering that our nephew, Jeremy, was back from college for the holiday, we threw him into a little impromptu photo shoot with his cousin. What a good sport! As you can see, they put their own little spin on things...we knew from the beginning that there was no way that we'd ever get a serious shot! But they had fun and that's what pumpkin carving is all about, isn't it?

Day 114 - Troll Baby

2009-11-22T22:23:00.003-05:00

Since we're a Halloween family, it's only proper for us to have black cats! CVP (Cat Voice Phenomena) is our baby...our Troll Baby that is! Troll Baby is his nickname because he Daily gives us this freaky look. We have NO idea why he does this, and we often wonder what is going on in that furry little head. Have any guesses?

Day 113 - The Hounds of Hell-o

2009-11-21T21:34:00.002-05:00

At Halloween, things aren't all that they appear to be. What looks like an insane dog is really one that is...bored! This is what she thought of today's photo shoot. We were all just a big Yawn to her! You know things are bad when you bore a seven month old puppy. Guess next time I should bring out more treats?

Day 112 - Unconventional Items

2009-11-20T22:53:00.002-05:00

When decorating your little mini pumpkins, forget the craft store and visit an office supply store! A million mulit-colored push pins become perfect pumpkin accessories. My little artist friend, Sam, created this mini pumpkin spaceship out of his favorite colored pins. It was quick, easy and, best of all, lots of fun!

Day 111 - Little People

2009-11-19T23:01:00.004-05:00

Oddly enough, grown ups stress over carving pumpkins. Adults think, "It has to be perfect!" Our subconcious mind translating that statement into, "This will be my greatest masterpiece!" And they then proceed to freak out over the whole event, making everyone miserable because someone could possibly slightly ever so subtley crash and burn into a big carving mistake. Sad isn't it?

Kids, on the other hand, don't think about failure. About carving it "wrong." Don't worry that every line has to be perfect. Heck, they don't even have to carve the pumpkin to have fun! A stuffed animal- sized wig, chalk or markers, can turn little pumpkins into little people in the blink of a child's eye. Does my Godson look like he's stressing out here? Nope, and neither should you. Pumpkin carving is a perfect experience if you don't worry about carving perfectly. Have fun and, however things turn out, you'll have a perfectly great time that you'll never forget...for all of the RIGHT reasons.

Day 110 - Go for the Glory

2009-11-18T23:51:00.003-05:00

When I carve a pumpkin, about 90% of the time I create and then apply a pattern onto it before I start carving. Granted, it may be the wimpy way out, but it works for me and I make a lot less mistakes! However, there are much braver souls out there than I. People that grab life by the carving saw and just go for it, carving without a pattern, with an idea they grab out of the stratosphere and then just carve for all they're worth. Today's photo is just that...a pumpkin carved by Emma, a dear family friend and a girl who has the guts to just go for it. Carving saw moving like lightening, she whipped out this pumpkin carving of the crest from Hogwarts (all you Harry Potter fans should know this image well!)...and she did a marvelous job!

I raise my glass to all you who throw caution to the wind and give it all you got when pumpkin carving! When I grow up, I hope to be just like you!

Day 109 - Out With It!

2009-11-17T23:32:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend with a few wonderful families, taking photos for future reference. One of my subjects was my most adorable three year old God son. He is one of the most beautiful children to photograph...BUT he is still three. And you never know what a three year old is going to do! He fussed. He fumed. He grumped. Until the sun shone upon us and for one magical moment the most beautiful grin appeared on his face...triumphantly victorious in pulling OUT the stem on the little artificial pumpkin he was holding! Beauty in the face of destruction! NOTHING made him smile....until he pulled apart the pumpkin. Too funny.

And yes, I am totally going to photoshop something else in that little guy's hands...after all, it would be a shame to waste that smile!

Day 108 - PuMandMpkin

2009-11-16T21:47:00.004-05:00

I was sadly disappointed today when my local Food Lion had yet to receive their shipment of Christmas M and M's (it's just not Christmas without my red and green M and M's and my Coca Cola with Santa Claus or Polar Bears on it...don't ask me why...yall know I'm crazy anyway!). But all's well that end's well. My regular M and

M's did a great little job of making my chocolate puMandMpkin. And the best part? Now that the photo has been taken...it's time for dessert!

(Wanna know something else weird? Blogger won't allow me to use the ampersand symbol in my post...now THAT's weird!)

Day 107 - Seeing Eye to Eye

2009-11-15T22:50:00.002-05:00

When it comes to pumpkin carving, my son and I still see eye to eye. He's a great help for sourcing new ideas...and he has some mad carving skills of his own (gee, I wonder where he gets it from?). And just right for our Halloween niche, he has a wicked sense of humor. It's nice to have someone pass down the torch, er, carving tools, to...instead of The Pumpkin Lady, I guess we'll have to call him The Pumpkin Dude!

Day 106 - One Bad Apple

2009-11-14T22:47:00.002-05:00

It's been awhile since I've gotten to play with my food...so I thought it was about time to do so again...until my son beat me to it! Here's his cool little version of the proverbial Bad Apple...

Day 105 - Necromancer

2009-11-13T19:44:00.005-05:00

Yet another of my all time favorite carvings. I carved this portrait of Necromancer for the game Guild Wars awhile back. It was one of the most challenging carvings I've ever done. What the picture doesn't show are the braids extending around the pumpkin.

Isn't she gorgeous? Especially for a pumpkin!

Day 104 - The Agony

2009-11-12T22:41:00.003-05:00

Another Halloween has come and gone and still there was no sign of The Great Pumpkin. His little minions will have to wait a whole other year to even hope of seeing him again. Linus, where are you when we need you?

Must find a more sincere pumpkin patch next year!

Day 103 - The Horror

2009-11-11T22:54:00.003-05:00

Halloween is truly over! Oh, the Horror! And I still have a dining room of pumpkins to carve! lol maybe that's what the pumpkin dude is so worried about! Think I'll save him for last....

Day 102 - I'm Bringing Sexy Back

2009-11-10T22:39:00.002-05:00

It's official. I have the best son in the world. How many other teens would volunteer to put a pumpkin on their head? And if that wasn't enough, pose? We got a lot of great shots in other poses, but this has to be our favorite.

Watch out people, I'm bringing sexy back!

Day 101 - Gremlin

2009-11-09T22:19:00.003-05:00

As a child, we firmly believe that there are monsters in the closet.

Here's proof.

We don't know how a five inch tall kitten makes it six feet up into the air to nestle in a pile of sweaters and shirts. Or how she can fling herself off said shelf and not kill herself upon landing.

It's creepy, I tell ya. Down right creepy!

Day 100 - Simply Sweet

2009-11-08T22:38:00.004-05:00

Day 100! Can you believe it? Only 265 days left of my 365 Days of Halloween Blog! Today's little picture is a great reminder to myself. So many times, we try to create these huge, complicated carvings...and yes, I do like them and hold them dear...but there is still something so wonderful and magical in just the sweet smile of a little Jack O'Lantern. When we think of pumpkin carving, what comes to mind aren't portraits of the Presidents, or intricate Celtic lacework...we think of triangle eyes and nose and a jagged grin...a pumpkin that sums up all the images of Halloween into one simple smile.

It just goes to show that good things come in small packages.

Day 99 - Plateful Pumpkin

2009-11-07T00:03:00.003-05:00

Last night I showed you the skull and crossbones our friend, Emma, made at dinner...now I'm showing you what I did with her leftover dessert (with a little leftover chocolate Oreo mousse from my son's cup as well!)! Emma also had a great idea to set one plate on top of another, creating a cute little stem for our pumpkin.

Anyway, who says that all pumpkin faces have to be carved?

Day 98 - Skull Surprise

2009-11-06T23:44:00.003-05:00

While out to dinner with friends tonight, I realized that I'd yet to create a subject for today's Halloween blog. I was able to whip up something fairly quickly...but I'll wait to show you that tomorrow! Instead of showing just my own little creation, I surprised our friend, Emma, by handing her a large paper napkin. "Quick!" I said. "Create something....a skull!" And she surprised me by doing just that; a wonderful little paper skull and crossbones. It just goes to show that art can be created anywhere with anything.

Isn't it great? Love it!

Day 97 - No Wonder!

2009-11-05T23:04:00.003-05:00

There are only two inner doors in the entire house that actually shut properly. The dishwasher leaks. The faucets drip. Our rental house has a few kinks in it. And yet, in its own way, it's perfect...because the view is amazing. Every room on the back of the house has a view of the lake...and let me tell you, as the season has progressed, it has been breathtaking. No wonder I love it!

Day 96 - It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

2009-11-04T21:41:00.004-05:00

What character can you decide to be at the last second on Halloween? Charlie Brown of course! An old sheet, a couple of snips for eyes, and draw on more "holes" and you're done! So, we're trick or treating through town, my son, now Charlie Brown, carrying a bag that says, "I gotta rock." As we go into a store we hear a shout. "That's my buddy! My partner! Charlie Brrooowwwnn!!!" Lo and behold, Linus was right! The Great Pumpkin DOES exist and was more than happy to strike a pumpkinesque pose with his ole buddy Charlie Brown.

Don't you just LOVE Halloween?

Day 95 - Halloween Still Life

2009-11-03T21:13:00.003-05:00

It's not easy going to school late in life, juggling the demands of work, family, and constant schoolwork. It's even more difficult when one of your classes consists entirely of still lifes. Every week, we sketch bottles....flowers...vases...are you yawning yet? UGH! I hate drawing those! So I actually enjoy our homework assignments because even though I still have to draw a still life, at least I get to choose the subject matter, so, Halloween here I come! Pumpkins...skull cups...black cats...now those are the perfects subjects for me!

Day 94 - Creepy Tree

2009-11-02T11:58:00.005-05:00

People ask me all the time, "Where do you get your inspiration? How can you possibly come up with any more designs?" I say that inspiration is ALL around you. Take today's photo. Isn't that one of the most amazing creepy trees you've ever seen? I could get a hundred designs out of that single photo alone. Anything and everything can become an inspiration if you just keep your mind open and your imagination humming. ( lol and being wide awake on coffee doesn't hurt either!)

Day 93- Post Your Pumpkins

2009-11-01T15:08:00.003-05:00

Well, by now the decorations are coming down and the candy has been half eaten as another Halloween has come and gone. Hopefully the pumpkins will last a few days longer...at least long enough for you to take some pictures to remember all the fun we've had this year! To everyone who took pics of your carved pumpkins, please know that we'd LOVE to see what YOU do! Please post them on our Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fan site where dozens and dozens of other fans have already been showing off their mad carving skills. Whether it's a simple Jack O'Lantern grin, or a leering dragon, post your pics so that we may brag on you a little! You already know what I can do...let's see what YOU can do!

Day 92 - JACKO Lantern

2009-10-31T00:35:00.004-04:00

In honor of his new movie and remembering a great Halloween hit, Thriller, we celebrate our favorite holiday with our JACKO lantern of Michael Jackson! I chose to create a portrait as I remember him best, during his days of Beat It and Thriller. I miss those days and I'm sure you do too. As an artist, I appreciate all that he contributed to the art world. Love him or hate him, he was pretty amazing!

Happy Halloween to all those here and in Spirit!

Day 91 - Babies First Boo!

2009-10-30T22:10:00.004-04:00

It's Zip and Zoomies first Halloween, so of course we had to give them their first baby-size pumpkins! As always, little gray and white Zip was bold and brave, and even started nibbling his pumpkin's stem. Little Zoomie didn't know what to think! She backed up and just pawed the air...she never did get up the courage to touch it! We'll try again tomorrow...think she'll be brave enough then?

Day 90 - High Flyers

2009-10-29T06:13:00.003-04:00

It's no secret - cats are my favorite inspiration when designing pumpkin carving patterns! And from the volume of email and Facebook posts, they're yours too! So you should really love today's blog about another free kitty pattern!

Three little cats are flying against the moon in a giant pumpkin hot air balloon in the pattern "High Flyers." And our Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fans may download it for FREE until 8PM EST tonight! After that, we'll place it for sale on www.pumpkinlady.com. Hurry! It's adorable!

Tell your friends!

Happy Carving!

Day 89 - And The Winner Is...

2009-10-28T22:23:00.002-04:00

Congratulations! We have TWO winners in our Name the Kittens contest at www.pumpkinlady.com, AND BOTH will each receive 25 free pumpkin carving patterns of their choice from our site! And it was a close race! WE LOVED the names Belly and Button, Cheebles, Cosmo, Misto and Machiatto, Bonnie and Clyde, Trick or Treat and so many more. This was such a difficult decision to make! But then, on the last evening of the contest,

Melody Tucker entered the name "Zoomies." Loved it!

A little while later,

Katie Harris added on to Melody's suggestion, and added "Zip"! Awesome!

So, there you have it, after days and days of debating:

The little black calico? ZOOMIES

The little gray and white boy? ZIP

Please help us in welcoming them to our herd!

And everyone can be a winner by becoming a Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fan tonight and downloading our new free pattern: "High Flyers" Three little cats flying in a pumpkin hot air balloon! It's available free to our Facebook Fans until 6pm EST tomorrow, Thursday Oct 29, 2009.

Thanks to all who sent in names for the contest and made these little ones feel welcomed!

Happy Carving!

Day 88 - Too Much Sugar?

2009-10-27T22:20:00.004-04:00

What do you get when you eat too many Laffy Taffy's and the cat walks by? Catsafarian! Someday maybe Paintball and CVP will forgive me! Yes, I'm wired on sugar and white mochas trying to keep ahead of Halloween craziness! What the cats don't know is that I bought them a little pirate costume today! And a witch's hat! Hmmmm I wonder if the kittens can fit them yet? We'll see!

Day 87 - Missed Them?

2009-10-26T22:47:00.004-04:00

In case you missed them as Facebook Freebies, these five new patterns are now available at www.pumpkinlady.com...and don't forget that we also added another nine free patterns on The Pumpkin Lady website as well!

Notice all the cats? Of course I'm thinking of our two new little kittens when I'm designing these days! We've been trying out our favorite names from our Name the Kittens contest. It's soooo hard to decide! I thought that the suggestions would make things easier. Boy was I wrong! (shhhhh don't tell my husband I said that! He's supposed to think I'm right all the time!)

Facebook Freebies!

2009-10-25T22:21:00.002-04:00

As a special thanks for reaching the goal of 1000 Facebook Fans, we're giving away five new pumpkin carving patterns on our Facebook Pumpkin Lady Fan site! The five free patterns will be available until 10PM EST on Monday, Oct. 26 2009. After that, they will be available for sale at www.pumpkinlady.com.

Don't you just love free things?

Day 86 - As Promised!

2009-10-25T14:53:00.005-04:00

As promised, there are now seven more free weekly patterns in the Pattern Categories at www.pumpkinlady.com, and there are two more coming in just a few minutes! Are you a Facebook Fan of The Pumpkin Lady? They receive special free patterns each week...and a few more free patterns might show up on Facebook later tonight in honor of our passing the 1000 fan mark!

Facebook is free to join, and there's another opportunity to win 25 free patterns in our Name the Kittens contest. We need names for our two new little mascots! Submit names as a comment under their Facebook photo...BUT HURRY! The Name the Kittens contest ends at Midnight TONIGHT EST! We'll announce the winner at 10pm est. this Wed. Oct. 28, 2009.

Get those names in!

Day 85 - Free is Good!

2009-10-24T21:33:00.003-04:00

Time for some more weekly free patterns! There's two more in our Patterns Categories at www.pumpkinlady.com. Now, I know that is not enough! So tomorrow we'll be uploading several more! Until then, enjoy Twisted and Nick, and look for Shakespeare and several more tomorrow!

Happy Carving!

Day 84 - Edgar Allan Pumpkin

2009-10-23T17:04:00.003-04:00

2009 is Edgar Allan Poe's Bicentennial Year. Richmond's Poe Museum has been celebrating all year, topping it off this week with Poe's Pumpkin Patch and Unhappy Hour (love that name!). I thought they'd like a special appearance by Edgar for their events! This is also one of my all time favorites...he's so wonderfully morose isn't he?

Day 83 - Ben

2009-10-22T20:32:00.002-04:00

Of all the pumpkins I've ever carved, this portrait of Ben Franklin is one of my all time favorites. I especially love the ruffles and folds of his shirt and collar. There's a serene confidence in his gaze. His smile reminds me of the Mona Lisa's subtle smile. I just love the way this portrait turned out!

Day 82 - Presidential Pumpkin

2009-10-21T19:30:00.000-04:00

I created this presidential pumpkin portrait of now President Obama last year when he was running for office. It was created for a segment on FOX News Network. It made it on air, along with a portrait of McCain, however they never let us set up the shot! I literally walked into the studio (with a cart of eight more pumpkins for the campaign segment) and they said, "You're on in 8....7...6.."!!!!! We were supposed to have an hour to set up! My friend Literally threw the two nominee portraits across the room! I plunked them on the table .5 seconds before the anchor started the interview... with their light cords dangling by my toes! They never got lit! Instead of seeing Presidential Hopefuls you got an eyeful of Frankensteins - portrait pumpkins always look like Frankenstein unlit! Yeah... you can bet I wasn't happy and they never made up for it. I couldn't wait to show off these portraits...but ended up insulting the candidates since the pumpkins never were shown lit.

Oh well. At least you can see President Obama's pumpkin now! And if there's anyone reading this that knows him, please tell him I'd be happy to give it to him...in person!

Day 81 - A Bewitching Little Carousel

2009-10-20T17:19:00.001-04:00

Last Fall I appeared on Martha Stewart Living for a special pumpkin carving show. In front of an audience of 300 people and 4 million cameras and lights, I showed Martha how to carve this amazing little carousel pumpkin out of an artificial pumpkin...all in EIGHT MINUTES! It was like pumpkin carving on crack! But it was soooo much fun and her staff was great to work with. When I die I hope that heaven is Martha's show workroom....all the glitter and art supplies I've ever dreamed of in one place! And it was spotless! The art rooms look just like a picture from her magazines! If I ever stop being The Pumpkin Lady I'm moving to NYC to work for Martha!

If you'd like to watch the show segment, you may still watch it online:

Pumpkin Lady Carve's With Martha

However, tomorrow morning I'll be on Martha Stewart Living Radio. Hosts Kim and Betsy will be interviewing me about all things pumpkin...it should be a lot of fun! Tune in on Sirius Satellite Radio - XM Channel 112.

Day 80 - Free Pattern!

2009-10-19T13:45:00.000-04:00

In honor of our new kitten friends we're giving away this kitten pumpkin carving pattern to all of our Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fans. You may download it for free until 8pm EST tonight! Not a fan yet? Go to www.pumpkinlady.com and click on the tombstone that says "Be A Facebook Fan." You may then become a member of Facebook for free! Just browse through the message wall and find "Our New Baby" to download your free pattern.

Happy Carving!

Day 79 - Name the Kitten Contest!

2009-10-18T22:56:00.000-04:00

Last week my husband and son found to four week old kittens at a nearby Shell gas station. Cold and starving, we brought them home where they are now becoming fat and happy! But there's only one problem...we don't know what to call them!

That's where you come in. We found the kittens, but we need you to find their names! Become a Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fan (it's free to do!) and submit a Pair of names under the kittens' photo in our Name The Kitten Photo Album. You have from now until midnight on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. We will choose our favorite pair of names by 10pm, Wed., Oct. 28th. The person who submits the winning pair of names receives 25 free pumpkin carving patterns from www.pumpkinlady.com - their choice!

Now here's a little info about the kittens themselves. The black and orange calico is a tiny little girl. She plays much more gently than her brother but when there's food involved, watch out! She becomes a little Tiger. But as soon as she eats...poof! She passes out within minutes...food acts like a sleeping potion on her! The gray and white kitten is her big brother. He loves to play rough and curiosity just kills him...he has to know everything about everything! And he LOVES to tackle his little sister when she sleeps...which he'll do for hours And yes, they've both discovered that despite their scrawny little bodies, they have a BIG PURR!

And by the way...we'll choose their names according to two things: how well the names fit their personalities, and we honestly just like names that are clever and fun. (names of our other cats in the past? Spinner, Bobber, Fusser, Happy, Little Bit, Paintball, CVP - Cat Voice Phenomena and our favorite: Sock Monkey!)

Keep it fun....and polite! These names have to last a lifetime!

Remember, submit your choice of names under their photo in the Name the Kitten Album on our Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fan Site.

Day 78 - Look What I Can Do!

2009-10-17T11:47:00.001-04:00

"Look what I can do!" Is the mantra of four year olds the world over. True, some are not ready to carve yet, but they are ready to help you! Each year I work with countless numbers of children under seven that help me carve pumpkins. Even the youngest ones can take part in the process. They help me choose a pattern and then tape it onto the pumpkin. Then they help to poke the pattern onto the pumpkin. If they're really little, I hold the poking tool at the bottom, and their little fingers hold the top and help to push it in while I guide them. Once the pattern's on, they help rub in the flour to make the pattern stand out. The older ones can usually saw on their own, but for those that are unsteady or too little, again I'll hold the tool at the base, and they'll hold the top of it and help me saw in and out while I guide the saw. Yes, they go "off line" and a little crooked. So what! It always turns out well. And of course, they LOVE turning on the light and placing it in the pumpkin.

As their parent, YOU have to judge whether or not you're child is old enough to carve a pumpkin, no matter what the age printed on the carving saw kit says. But there's still a lot little ones can do to "help" you with the process and feel like they're part of the fun. However, what if you don't want them to carve at all? You could print out an extra pattern, and you may carve while they color. You could let them paint their pumpkin with non toxic paints. And the big hit at the Virginia Living Museum? We brought pumpkins painted all over with chalkboard paint, as well as giant pieces of sidewalk chalk. Big sis helped me carve while little sis colored her chalk pumpkin. It was a huge hit! Great with the preschool set!

Get creative, relax, and just have fun...if you do those three things it will be a success!

Happy Carving...or Coloring!

VA Living Museum

2009-10-17T00:25:00.001-04:00

We had an amazing time carving pumpkins at the Virginia Living Museum tonight! Hundreds of families came out despite the cold and misty rain. Creepy crawlies, candy, and kids...what a combination! This was our eleventh year volunteering our carving skills for the event...which goes on tomorrow night from 6-9pm as well. Why do we drive four hours there and back for a three hour event? Because of the museum staff themselves! You couldn't find a nicer, more dedicated bunch! The museum is a beautiful place to visit with animals galore and they do so much to serve Virginia's children - creating a safe educational environment to teach them about the natural world around them. And the event is soooo much fun for families with small children. It's all Happy Halloween - all the candy and fun WITHOUT the fear factor. That's my kind of party! So for all those who missed it, hopefully we'll see you there later today!

Day 77 - Free Pattern!

2009-10-16T11:41:00.000-04:00

We've hit the 500 mark! There are over 500 Pumpkin Lady Fans that have signed onto the Facebook Fan site. To celebrate, we're giving away this free pumpkin carving pattern, Trick or Treat, until 12am tonight. Not signed on? Click here to join and get even more free patterns!

Happy Carving!

Day 76 - Messy Situation

2009-10-15T14:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, while creating Jack Stack, a new project for www.pumpkinlady.com and the theme of my segment of Virginia This Morning, I run back into my house to grab my camera. I had no sooner shut the door when I hear a crash and three huge thumps on my back deck. Dashing through the screen door, I see three pumpkins rolling down the steps and a big aluminum bowl spinning on its side! Not good! Not to mention that pumpkin guts are now sprayed all over the deck.

Sigh.

No wonder the squirrels love my yard so much!

Day 75 - Trick or Treat?

2009-10-14T23:30:00.000-04:00

God works in mysterious ways. In Feb. and March of this year, we lost two of our sweet cats, Spinner and Happy, to kidney failure. I must say that I'm still not over that loss...I love my pets dearly and miss them deeply. Earlier today my husband and I searched the online adoption site, www.petfinder.com, to search for two more baby kittens to add to our furry herd. We both felt it was time. We had no idea how right we were....

Jack took our son to play practice across town tonight. A few miles from home he stopped at the Shell station for gas. And then called me. He'd found a mama cat and two wee baby kittens. I was soon on my way with two cat carriers and several cans of food. Jack went off to try and catch mama while Ty and I literally beat the bushes and found two sopping wet, starving, terrified little baby kittens. I had to grab each one with my coat sleeves because although they were tiny, they were horrified and bit and scratched my coat in fear. It was only in the upper 40's temperature wise...and raining...so they shivered from fear and cold. They're nothing but skin and bones!

Try as he might, Jack couldn't catch the mama. The employees of the store said there's a third kitten that crawled in the back of another employee's trunk and went home with her! So, tomorrow I will go back with a cat trap and try and catch mama....the nice people at the station are contacting the other employee to see if we can find out what happened to the third kitten.

We are guessing that the kittens are at most four weeks old. We will try to get the mama and see what we can do for her as well. We'll foster her and try to find her a home soon, and we'll do what we can to find the third kitten.

As for these two?

Welcome Home.

Day 74 - Not Just Another Pretty Face

2009-10-13T22:53:00.000-04:00

Jack, my techno wonder of a husband, has just uploaded ELEVEN more patterns to www.pumpkinlady.com. Just check out the Pretty Face category on our Patterns Page. And no, I'm not done uploading patterns onto the website! There's plenty more to come if I can just find two spare seconds in the day. HA! Funny! But I'll keep trying if you'll keep checking. And remember, we'll give away several free patterns to our Facebook Fans if we reach our goal of 1000 Pumpkin Lady Fans by midnight this Sunday, Oct. 18th. We're at 444 now...I think we can do it! Sign up, tell your friends, and get free stuff! Free is my favorite flavor!

Day 73 - Smiley

2009-10-12T23:32:00.000-04:00

Wow! So even though we didn't break 1000 Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fans, I was still excited that we jumped to 300...but tonight we jumped to 398 and it's not midnight yet! Wahoo! So, the goal is still there, we've just moved it so we'll hopefully reach at least that number by this coming Sun. Oct. 18th. If so, I'll have a bunch of free patterns ready to go to our Fans on Monday.

Now, even though we were a bit shy, as a thanks our Facebook Fans were able to download Smiley, a cheerful little pumpkin pattern, for free until 8pm tonight. Smiley's now available for sale at www.pumpkinlady.com in the Numbskulls Category, but don't worry Facebook Fans, we'll offer another surprise or two soon...be on the lookout!

Day 72 - Far Out!

2009-10-11T22:50:00.000-04:00

Isn't this little guy Far Out? Nothing like a happy alien to put a smile on your face - or on your pumpkin! We've added Far Out to our pattern list, and several easy friendly faces - Silas, Carl, Chuck, Fred, Miloh!, and Andy. (and yes, I was watching the Office and named this pumpkin after the character from the show!) And if you haven't checked out this week's free patterns, click through the Pattern Categories and you'll find seven new free patterns, all different than the week before. Just look for our little Spider, Freebie, and he'll show you the way!

Fans growing!

2009-10-10T22:17:00.000-04:00

We've reached 264 Facebook followers out of our goal of 1000 by Sunday midnight est. If we reach 1000 by then, we'll give out several free patterns and a little bonus to our Facebook Fans! Pass the word!

Dream Big

2009-10-10T17:19:00.000-04:00

One of the goals of our website is to provide easy tips and design ideas that families may use to have fun together...and what better way than to teach the tradition of pumpkin carving? So, we want to reach as many people as we can and we're using social media to do it. Let's face the truth - it's one of the easiest ways to reach a lot of people at one time! But we can't do it alone.

We are shamelessly asking you to spread the word among Facebook friends and Tweet your Tweeples. Our big time Facebook goal is to reach one million fans. But our short term goal is to reach one thousand. However, we realize there's no such thing as a free lunch! If we reach 1000 Facebook Fans by midnight tomorrow (Sun. Oct. 11th at 12am est) we are going to give away some more free patterns to just our Facebook Fans! And there will be another little bonus too!

hmmm think we can do the same of Twitter as well?

Day 71 - Halloween Hunt

2009-10-10T17:02:00.000-04:00

Time for a little Halloween hunt! We've just added seven different free pumpkin carving patterns to the website! But you have to find them! Check out the categories on our Patterns page...when you spot our little Spider, whom we've decided to name Freebie, you'll find the free patterns. Happy hunting!

Day 70 - Welcome to the Funhouse

2009-10-09T08:21:00.001-04:00

Want to know what I find to be the most scariest thing at Halloween? Clowns.They totally creep me out! Even my own pattern freaks me out a little. But that's what makes it perfect for Halloween! If you want to spook your friends by carving this pattern, become a Pumpkin Lady Facebook Fan and you may download this scary clown pattern for FREE until 9PM tonight (EST). After that it will be available for sale at www.pumpkinlady.com under the Misfits Category.

Happy Carving!