The Craft Nook: Make your pumpkin shine

Fall is here, there is a chill in the air and there is an abundance of pumpkins around.  You can find them at the farmer’s market, grocery stores and discount stores or maybe in your own garden. Here are some “Pumpkin” facts: •    In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gross melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.” •    Pumpkins have been grown in North America for nearly 5,000 years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere. •    Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family; which include squash, cucumbers, gherkins and melons. •    Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year. •    Every year there is a contest for the world’s largest pumpkin. In 2011 Jim and Kelsey Bryson, from Ormstown, Quebec, Canada, brought their 1,818.5-pound giant pumpkin to the Prince Edward County and currently hold the record. Pumpkins come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are perfect for baking pies, bars and bread.  They are used at Halloween for Jack-o-lanterns and are a great surface for crafting.  Create a centerpiece that can take you into November with a small pumpkin, some glitter and silk leaves placed on a decorative plate. To create you will need: Supplies • Pumpkin • Glitter in colors of choice • Beacon™ Adhesives premium tacky glue • Silk leaves • Decorative plate • Candle holders • Popsicle stick or toothpick • Copy paper Instructions • Spread glue on one section, sprinkle glitter on top of glue.  Work over a sheet of copy paper to catch excess glitter. • Continue around pumpkin, alternating colors as desired until completely covered; let dry. • Place leaves all around on top of plate with candle holders on either side and the glittered pumpkin in the middle. Tips & Tricks • Remember to glitter the bottom of the pumpkin. • This is easy to do with two colors but can look great with three or four colors too. • Make several with mini pumpkins and use for a dinner party to attach the names of your guests. • Tap excess glitter back into containers, a little glitter goes a long way. • You do not need to have candle holders to create the centerpiece, just place the glittered pumpkin on top of a decorative plate with silk leaves around it.