| Pretty soon the little ghosts will be arriving on | | | | the pumpkin. |
| your doorstep. That means it's time to get all | | | | Pour paint onto your palette (a paper plate can be |
| those Halloween Crafts started too. Decorating | | | | used). Dip your brush in the paint and work into |
| pumpkins for Halloween is a longtime tradition. | | | | the bristles by gently rotating to make sure all |
| However, recent years have brought about some | | | | sides are loaded with color. Then dab the brush |
| exciting changes to the tradition. Folks are | | | | several times on a paper towel or piece of paper |
| becoming much more creative and putting an | | | | to get out any excess paint. It's important to |
| artistic touch to their designs. Instead of just the | | | | have a brush that is on the dry side because it will |
| traditional carving of a pumpkin, now people are | | | | keep paint from seeping under the stencil and |
| painting pumpkins. | | | | smearing or running. This will most likely happen to |
| I want to share with you some ideas and how to | | | | some degree anyway so be prepared to do |
| information for painting jack o lantern stencils onto | | | | some touching up. |
| a pumpkin. Decorating your pumpkin with paint is | | | | More color is achieved by repeated coverage, not |
| much less messy and safer when getting the kids | | | | by using more paint. When your brush is properly |
| involved. Not to mention that you can be a lot | | | | loaded, an even powdering of paint is left when |
| more creative with paint and using a Halloween | | | | blotted on a paper towel or paper. Apply the paint |
| stencil makes the job much easier. | | | | using a downward, or dabbing, motion over the |
| Don't just limit these instructions to the pumpkins | | | | edges of the stencil openings so as not to push |
| you pick up at the farmer's market either. I use | | | | paint under the stencil. If you use a back and |
| this technique on gourds, too. Also, I found some | | | | forth brushing motion, the brush will push paint |
| plastic pumpkins at my local craft and decorating | | | | under the stencil and cause smearing. Another |
| supply house. These are great because I can | | | | reason you do not want to use a brushing or |
| pack them away and they'll be good for next | | | | back and forth stroke is because it may tend to |
| year. | | | | curl or bend your paper stencil. Apply paint with |
| There are many printable Halloween stencils | | | | this dabbing and blotting motion in all the cut out |
| available on the web. But first, match your | | | | areas of your stencil. |
| pumpkin and your stencil design. If you already | | | | It's best to wait a couple of minutes before |
| have a pumpkin that is tall and thin, find a pattern | | | | removing the stencil once you've finished painting. |
| that will fill in the height and not curve too far | | | | The idea is to be able to get the paper away |
| around the sides. If you have chosen a pattern | | | | from the surface without smudging the paint. So, |
| that is short and wide, look for a pumpkin that is | | | | if you let the paint dry just a little it will be less |
| squat and round. You want your image to be | | | | likely to smear. On the other hand, if the stencil |
| clearly visible from one direction. Also, try to find | | | | remains in place for the paint to thoroughly dry, |
| a pumpkin that has a smooth side for your | | | | some of the paper along the edges will stick to |
| pattern to fit snugly against. This will make it | | | | the pumpkin. When removing the stencil, hold |
| easier to transfer your pattern. | | | | down on one side and roll it away. This is the best |
| If the Halloween stencil is not the right size for | | | | way to keep the stencil from dragging across any |
| your pumpkin, you can always reduce or enlarge | | | | wet paint. |
| the image on a copy machine. Just hold the design | | | | Touch up any jagged lines with a thin paint brush. |
| in front of the pumpkin and eye it in. It's best not | | | | You will most likely also need to fill in the crevice |
| to have a design that rolls too far over the top | | | | areas of the pumpkin that didn't receive paint. For |
| or bottom of your pumpkin. Remember, you | | | | paint in areas where it shouldn't be, you can use a |
| want to see the entire design from one direction. | | | | wet cloth or paper towel to wipe it away. |
| OK! You've got your pattern and it's the right size. | | | | Wait! Don't put away the paint brush and paints. |
| Now, you'll have to cut your pattern so that you | | | | This is the part where you can get very creative. |
| can apply paint. Using a craft-knife cut out the | | | | Since you are working with paint, there is no |
| openings on the stencil. Make sure your blade is | | | | reason you can't do a second color or even a |
| sharp at all times. Dull blades may cause the paper | | | | few colors. Here are a few tips and hints to make |
| stencil to tear. The goal is to cut along each line | | | | your pumpkins really stand out. |
| only once with a firm, smooth motion. With your | | | | Once you have completed a layer of black paint |
| free hand, hold the stencil firmly and rotate the | | | | on your stencil, reattach the stencil just above |
| stencil so that you are always cutting with your | | | | the black areas and repaint with yellow. This |
| arm and wrist at a comfortable angle. When | | | | creates a shadow effect. |
| cutting past a thin bridge area carefully use a | | | | But don't be shy with the colors. Using reds, blues |
| finger to hold down the paper. | | | | and greens can make your faces or scenes really |
| Now it's time to tape the stencil to the pumpkin | | | | stand out. You have the stencil to guide you in |
| and apply paint. That's much easier said than done | | | | getting an image onto your pumpkin so now |
| because you have a flat square page that needs | | | | stretch your creativity and make it unique. |
| to be secured to a round object. Here's what I | | | | There are so many ways to have fun with |
| do. Line up your stencil so that the center of the | | | | Halloween crafts and Halloween stencils! I often |
| design is even with the center of the pumpkin | | | | think that making the decorations is the best part |
| and put tape on each side. Then if you can, place | | | | of any occasion and Halloween is no exception. I |
| another piece of tape at the top and the bottom. | | | | hope you get the most of the projects found on |
| As you apply paint, you will need to use a finger | | | | this page and create some funky or scary art. |
| to pull down the corners so that it flattens against | | | | Happy Stenciling! |