Linda Nelson

MAKE THIS PUMPKIN!

©Linda Nelson 2014

See what fabulousness arises from a coir planter basket liner?  It’s the perfect shape; therefore, there’s no cutting involved.  Are you sold yet?

You will need a preformed coco liner that is meant to fit inside a 12″ wire basket planter.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Here’s what you do –
Grap a piece of 24″ twine or jute and an upholstery needle (any needle with an eye big enough to thread the twine through).  Tie one end of the twine onto something to prevent it from slipping through the liner while stitching(I grabbed a washer), and leave about a six inch tail.  Make a simple running stitch all around the circumference of the liner, then cinch it together, leaving a fist-sized opening. Fill your pumpkin with pillow stuffing, shredded newspaper, plastic bags or something of that nature.  I used some old garden netting.  Talk about being resourceful!

©Linda Nelson 2014


Now, cinch it up as tight as you can, remove the washer and tie the twine ends together.  Grab your stem, which could be a branch, an actual pumpkin stem, one formed and shaped out of wire….. (basically, whatever floats your boat) and stuff it where it belongs.  You’re done!  Painless.  Absolutely painless.  The decorative part is up to you.  I happen to appreciate a simple, natural and rustic look, but you may want to push your embellishing ways over the edge.

©Linda Nelson 2014


There you have it.

Now, get creative.


 

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A STORY AND A CACTUS THAT ARE BOTH SHORT AND SWEET

This little cactus bloomed for the very first time this past July.  It is twenty years old.  I’m certain of that because my son propagated it from seed that long ago.  And, as I’m sure it would be no surprise to you, I’ve been taking care of it ever since.

It was one of those “Mom, I’m bored” afternoons.  I suggested a little gardening activity, and off we drove to the garden center to purchase some seeds.
Fast forward to this past July…… ta-dah!
©Linda Nelson 2014

Fast forward to today…… ta-dah, again!

©Linda Nelson 2014

The end.

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THE SHOP ROOM PUMPKIN

I present to you, the palm-sized shop room pumpkin – “made for a man, yet still decorative enough for a woman”.

©Linda Nelson 2014

To make one, here’s what you do –

Unroll two wads of #000 extra fine steel wool(sold in packages at any hardware store) and gently stretch their fibers lengthwise and widthwise to make two very thin sheets.  Roll one sheet up into a ball; use the other sheet to cover over it to make it larger.  Gently cup it in your palm and shape it into a nice ball.

©Linda Nelson 2014
©LInda Nelson 2014

Using a 3 1/2 ft. piece of florist’s wire and a tapestry needle, create your pumpkin grooves.  To do this, feed the wire down the center, then come up on the outside, feed the wire down the center again, then come up on the outside a little bit further away from the previous section, and continue until you have created six sections.  Remember to leave about a 6 inch tail of wire; you’ll twist it together with the other end when you’re done with this step.  Maintain an equal tension with all groove sections.  Stick the wire ends into a tiny two-hole button, then twist to secure.  The button step isn’t absolutely necessary; twisting the wire ends together is probably sufficient enough.  Snip off the excess wire ends or leave them intact to use as curlicue tendrils.

©Linda Nelson 2014

The remaining steps for making this pumpkin are open to your imagination.  Glam this pumpkin up, take it down an industrial route or anywhere in between.

©Linda Nelson 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

To make a smaller pumpkin, use only one sheet and simply roll it up into a ball, then proceed as directed.

There you have it.

Now, get creative.

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