Simple Halloween Pumpkin Craft

Instead of always going out and buying decorations for different holidays, its more fun and satisfying if you make your own.  This halloween is no exception.  This halloween pumpkin craft is simple, fast and looks good on a counter or mantle.  There are minimal steps involved, coupled with a small amount of supplies which are probably lying around your house.  Now lets get the rest of the husbands involved and start cutting some wood!

Here are the materials you will need:
Chop saw
Sander
Drill with 1/2" bit
4"x4" (how ever long you want for different size pumpkins)
1/2" dowel rod for stem (again length will depend on how long you want stems)
Green Wire
Paint (surprisingly I went with a color called pumpkin)
Paint brush

First thing you have to do is decide how long you want your pumpkins.  I did not measure

 anything just eyeballed and cut this extra 4"x4" I had lying around.

I made different lengths that reflected the size of my family which includes my wife, 3 sons and myself.

Next, sand the blocks as much as you want.  I take my time to ensure there will be no 

splinters since the boys like to touch them.

When finished sanding, pick your paint color and have at it.  Since this is a pumpkin

some kind of orange is in order.

When they are finished drying, drill a 1/2" hole in the top.

Cut the dowel rod to the length of your choice and place in the 1/2" hole.

With a hammer, tap the dowel rod into place.  No glue is needed as this 

provides a very snug fit.

Wrap green wire around stem and place wherever you wish.

We decorated the mantle and kept with the halloween theme.  They look great next

to the spider bowl.  You can find out how to make the spider bowl here.

Well I hope this inspired you to make your own halloween pumpkins to match your family!! Have a great time decorating and making your pumpkins.

Steve 

All tied up- craft

Hello blog followers. Today is Manday, and we have some manly bushcraft items that would make some great stocking stuffers. This will be the first in a series bushcraft items that I will be detailing in my blog. Todays not is very simple; it merely takes some patience and nimble fingers. This knot is a celtic button knot that can be tied as a key fob, or zipper pulls.

 

You will need about a foot and a half of para cord or hemp rope. Start with a Lark's Head Knot. This is done by doubling your length of cord and putting the loop through the ring of your keys; pull the tag ends of your cord through the loop and pull tight.

 

 

Then make two loops with your cord; make sure that you keep your two lenghts of cord flat.

 

 

With your tag ends from the second loop, create a third loop then thread the tag ends through your loops you have just made making sure that you go over then under as illustrated in the following photo.

 

 

Now, take your tag ends, create your fouth loop. The tag ends go over the third loop and under your first loop. This finishes your knot. However your job is only half done.

 

 

From this point you will need to tighten your knot evenly from both ends. Once it tightens up and begins to create your button you can then decide how long you would like your fob to be. This is done by pulling the cords attached to your keys through the entire knot tightening up as you go. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN YOUR KNOT. Once you have your fob at your desired lenght you can then cut your paracord and burn the frayed ends to seal up your button!

 

 

If you double the length you can make a second button. Once you find the length that is acceptable you can cut the tag end and then you have zipper pulls that makes zipping up a coat with the gloves on way easier.

 

 

Be patient, getting the hang of this takes time. Stick with it and you will have something that you cannot buy off the rack. Keep following to see some other great stuff that you can make and use.

Barry