CREATING A JACK-O-LANTERN

Halloween is only a few days away so it’s time to bring out your sharpest tools and your imagination to start preparing your pumpkins.

CHOOSING A PUMPKIN

Look for pumpkins that are large, ripe and have an even surface. However keep in mind the uglier the pumpkin the more interesting your creation can be.  Ideally you also want to have a stem that is at least 6cm long.

CUT OUT THE TOP

Firstly you need to make a lid. Draw a generous circle around the top or bottom of your pumpkin and then using a sharp knife or ideally a pumpkin saw, cut your lid out at an angle so that it will not slip back inside (be careful- for your own sake and your pumpkins.)

Next step is to remove the contents of your pumpkin, removing all the seeds and pulp until you have a nice wall roughly 3cm thick.

TIP: The thinner the walls of the pumpkin the brighter your lantern will be. Just be sure to leave enough flesh on the base so it doesn’t rot. 

DESIGNING YOUR PUMPKIN

What type of pumpkin are you going to create? Figure out your pumpkin’s mood first, then get drawing. To transfer your pattern use a water based marker so that if you make a mistake you can easily wipe it off, then let your skilled hands do the work. A stencil isn’t a bad option either.

READY TO CARVE
Slow and steady wins the race in this game. Use your knife and slowly run it over each line gently sculpting each pattern.

TIME FOR THE BIG REVEAL

Place a candle inside your pumpkin, making sure it is sturdy. Light your candle, place the lid on top and turn out all the lights!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

from the Marilyn Grace Team 

HALLOWEEN

The countdown is on for the next holiday occasion – Halloween. The MARILYN GRACE team love a holiday and it is has been a long time since Easter!

Whilst we have been celebrating Halloween for years, the last few years have seen Australian’s getting far more involved with the festivities so why not take a page out from out Northern Hemisphere friends and embrace the holiday further then a few cobwebs across your homes entrance and some plastic pumpkin baskets.

Why not embrace this years Halloween and decorate you home in a chic and sophisticated way. There is an abundance of ways in which you can do this – through the use of real pumpkins in assorted shapes lining your entrance, themed candy bars and home wares to transfer your existing décor.

We have compiled some inspirational images to get your creative juices flowing to create a Halloween to remember. There's 31 days before the day arrives so get planning!