Sugar Skull Pumpkin

And now for something completely different...

With the beautiful fall weather we're having I decided to change things up a little with this week's post.  While the crocheting is still going on in the background, the focus here will be on drawing/decorating. This has always been a challenge for me. I could never get the design in my head to channel it's way to my hand and onto the paper, etc.  I am in awe of those to whom it comes easy. (You know who you are.)

So, armed with a pumpkin that I had carefully selected during our annual apple picking outing, I began to devise a plan. Said pumpkin was chosen specifically for its skullish shape - narrower at the bottom and wider at the top.

I went with sharpies to draw my design versus actual carving. The pumpkins seem to last longer uncarved and I wanted to use color.

 

I think it looks good!  Not scary.  Kind of Grateful Dead-ish.








To learn more about the history of sugar skulls, click here http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/history/a/dayofthedead.htm

I'd love to see the pumpkins you've decorated this year!  Add a photo in the comments section if you have one.

CAL lessons learned

Well, here's the whole family.  I can just tell that the little one is going to be a handful - look at the mischief in that expression!

Since this was my first Crochet Along (CAL) I'd like to share what I've learned from the experience.

1.  I liked the sense of team membership, working with other crocheters to create a common product.

2.  I looked forward to the regularly scheduled posting of the current week's pattern steps.

3.  I enjoyed the creative freedom of choosing colors for my creations based on the instructions given and seeing the interesting combinations that other crafters had chosen.

4.  I learned that I do not like embroidery.  At all.

5.  I realized that if I'm not enjoying a project I should just move on to something more satisfying as opposed to trudging through it just to get it done.  There are too many other options available to spend time on a project that doesn't make me happy.

Having said that, I think the pattern was expertly written and easy to follow.  I loved the whole CAL concept and plan to continue joining these creative bandwagons.  I just will not embroider to add embellishment, but perhaps use variegated yarn or cute buttons, etc.  Time to move on....