I think it’s much more fun for kids and parents to decide what a child should ‘be’ and then figure out how to achieve the look together, rather than simply going to the store and choosing something. Lasting memories are made each year by figuring out ‘what you’re going as’ – figuring out what you already have or can make that can contribute to the look, and deciding what you need to add from elsewhere.
Pirate – Todays Parent
Princess – Todays Parent
Skunk – Todays Parent
I’ve always been fascinated by pumpkins and trying to create Jack-O-Lanterns. When I was a child, we didn’t carve pumpkins. My dad had a disabled arm due to a childhood accident, and so was unable to do this, and my mom simply had no interest, not wanting to get involved with something so messy.
As I grew up, though, I tried to carve a really simple Jack-O-Lantern. I managed to get through this without cutting my arm off, though I did require band-aids a time or two.
As an adult, I was no better, though I continued to try each year. Then I discovered the work of Ray Villafane, a man I consider to be the master of pumpkin carving, bringing it to an art form.
Ray Villafane – RayVillafaneStudios.com
Ray Villafane – RayVillafaneStudios.com
Ray Villafane – RayVillafaneStudios.com
I hope you’re making plans to trick-or-treat, party, or give out treats to children this holiday in the states. In Greenwood, Arkansas, adults would get together and provide a haunted house and scary path for the kids. It’s also a great idea to volunteer to help give a party to provide a safe place for parents to bring their children. Have fun!
creativeartworksblog 
yes Halloween and pumpkins are my favorite thing. In California we really don’t have fall like the East Coast in the Midwest. So we make up our own fall by decorating the inside of the house with lots of orange.
but one year we were in Providence, Rhode Island and went to the zoo to see the lighted pumpkin carving. There were several volunteers who let the pumpkins every night. Each group of pumpkins had its own themes and music to go along with it. It was amazing and so much fun.
this year we’re heading to the mountain town of Idyllwild where they close down the center of town and everyone dresses up adults and children and enjoy all the games and booths. One year I saw a black lab with a white stripe down its back. Such a cute skunk.
I wish I could send you some pictures, but I don’t know how. Do I copy and paste or can I link up to load Photo?
Patty San Diego
LikeLike
Patty, your descriptions of what you do in California, plus what you’ve traveled to do in the past sound wonderful. I honestly don’t know how you would send pictures to me on this platform. Sorry. I’m making up for the fact that I will now celebrate 4 variations of summer here by sharing wonderful fall photos I can enjoy vicariously. This may take some getting used to!😁
LikeLike
Oh, I’m so glad you posted this, as I promised to share my clay art project AND I just happened to take pictures of a lot of the other class participants’ jack-o-lanterns! Here’s my blog article full of photos! (It also includes pictures of our house, etc. so scroll to the pumpkins.) https://sheilamurrey.net/2025/10/18/integrating-the-spirals-fall-update-on-my-plants-making-halloween-art-and-the-house/
LikeLike
Thanks for including the URL. I’ll check it out. THANKS!
LikeLike
I just looked at the video and read your blog. Love both. Great fun. The house shows it has been lived in and has a history. Ours looked like that, too. Lots of love in those houses. I loved your spa room.
LikeLike
p.s. I didn’t know this about your dad’s injury or that you kind of had to learn how to carve pumpkins on your own, Linda. And yes, I can understand why your mom didn’t want to mess with pumpkins. They are messy! Ha!
LikeLike
I’ll write a post about my dad. Thanks for the URL to your post. I’ll dive into it this morning. Thanks!
LikeLike