I stabbed him, then turned the lights off….

I stabbed him, then turned the lights off….

Hi there!
Nice of you to drop in.
I’ve been packing things ready for TV tomorrow. 
Checking, double-checking.
Honestly, I waste so much time going over stuff,
to be sure to be sure. 
But then again, that means I can relax more 
on a 2 hour live tv show,
safe in the knowledge that I’ve got at least 2 of everything I need, 
and at least 1 of loads I don’t need. 

Saturday’s Blog a new technique, right?
Well, now for something completely different!

Using the stencil version of our lovely boy in flight.

Halloween is only a week away.
Now t be honest, I have never really bought into Halloween.
Not my kinda thing, putting on scary masks,
going round terrifying kids. 

But I saw the pumpkins at the farm shop last week,
and a little voice in my head said,
“Go on, you know you want to!”

So here’s my stab – literally at a pumpkin…

You have all probably got an ology in pumpkin carving,
so humour me here!

This is the inners in the sink.
Am I going to make a pumpkin pie?
Remind me to tell you the story 
about pumpkin pie and my cousin one day….

So I figured I had best try and make a neat opening at the top.

Scraped out the insides. Yuck.

Then found a sieve to balance it on. Key utensil.

Taped the stencil to the side of the pumpkin.
Dabbed Black Archival ink through the boy.

Then sort of folded the stencil round the pumpkin and did the birds.

Mmmm. Now how to cut out the boy…
I decided to start stabbing him with a pokey tool 
in the middle of his body, 

and then started working my way out gently to the side.

Used a nail file to smooth out the edges. 
It worked really well!!!!

Popped a candle in to see if it worked.
No point pursuing if not.
Ahhh!Looks promising.

Birds next.
I decided the best way to do the lines was dot dot dot
with the finest Groovi Tool first,

then back through the hole with a cocktail stick.

The Groovi Tool + Cocktail stick may sound a bit basic,
but by Golly! It works brilliantly!!
I nearly got carried away !
But the old neck was giving me stick, so I settled for subtle.

Dave came into the kitchen just as I was finished.
“How are you getting on?” he asked.
“Great. Turn the lights off!”
“Oooh! I say! Is it the weekend already?”
You can tell he’s feeling better.
But look!

Didn’t she do well?!

I put a bright halogen torch inside,
so I could leave the lid on. 

Jayne! I hope you see this!
Jayne is my good friend and work colleague, 
who is always making things like this.
When she saw the fresh pumpkin in the kitchen last week, 
she asked me what I intended to do with it.
“It’s an Art project!” I had retorted defiantly,
because as Jayne knows, 
I don’t have time to make the bed 
let alone carve a blimming pumpkin!!!!

 But there we are Jayne.
Bed, pumpkin? Pumpkin, bed?
The pumpkin won.

Now I must work out what to wear tomorrow.
The challenge every month is remembering what I wore last month, so you don’t think I only have one outfit! 
I’ll ring Mum – she always knows!

See you tomorrow,
2-4 and 6-7 HOCHANDA

love and hugs,

69 thoughts on “I stabbed him, then turned the lights off….

  1. Wow Barbara you are amazing stunning pumpkin cannot wait for the shows tomorrow love and hugs to both you and Dave I got my clarity parcel today so thank you to clarity towers for their hard work xxx

    1. Haven't done any yet, been trying to learn how to lock and unlock the new front door! Honestly I think when I go out I may be climbing back through the window. My Mum, Step Dad and I were in fits each trying with "it can't be that hard" I had tears it was so funny. I now hum mission impossible whenever I think about going out! Its a good job I'm on half term as I have time to practice. Xx

    2. Haha Donna that's so funny, lift the handle, turn the key left the handle turn the key again open the door stand on your head, swear and try again do do do do dadada dadada – tom cruise eat your heart out! Hope you get it sorted soon! Xxxxx

      Hi Sheila hope you've gad a good day xxxx

    3. The door man made it look soooooo easy! Oh well if I can't leave the house I will have to stay in……………hmmmmmmm, I wonder what I can do to pass the time 😉 XX

      Glad you have managed to do some craft today Sheila. Xx

  2. That's different! Good thinking bat woman! I'm also not a Halloween person but as grandson was born on it nearly 12 years ago I've had to get used to it !! Better get a card on the make for him. I've never carved a pumpkin but if I do I'll follow your lead! Looking forward to the shows tomorrow! Have a good one! Xx

  3. Super pumpkin, my sister does Halloween but we have never done the trick or treat bit. We just have a family get together and she decorates, we usually have a pumpkin and for the last few years my sister has painted it as she hates the inside so can't scrape it out! I have been sending her pictures of zentangled pumpkins, now I will show her this. Looking forward to the shows tomorrow…………..and what's that I spied on the Clarity website? A Groovi one day special on Tuesday/Wednesday! I'm glad I have just had payday! Xx

    1. Oh Donna don't forget your cushions i haven't seen that so will have a look do you think it will have our groovi storage so looking forward to it going on sale xxx

  4. Well I have seen everything now lol. Not a scary face in sight…although would have loved to have seen your face as you scraped out the middle…looking forward to tomorrow. I ordered the calendar yesterday but said you may as well just reserve it though as
    …….I will be ringing on Monday with another order

    Looking forward to the shows safe journey xx

  5. Well I have seen everything now lol. Not a scary face in sight…although would have loved to have seen your face as you scraped out the middle…looking forward to tomorrow. I ordered the calendar yesterday but said you may as well just reserve it though as
    …….I will be ringing on Monday with another order

    Looking forward to the shows safe journey xx

  6. What a brilliant way to use that stencil. Whatever you wear will look great, as always, so just enjoy the shows. Sadly, I cannot watch live this time but the DVD will be set and ready to go, so, after a day a very inky crafting, I can relax and enjoy things over supper and a nice drink. xxx Maggie

  7. HOW DO YOU DO IT ALL? You amaze me. Are you one if those people like the film..limitless. ? Lol. You deserve a medal !! You really do… Love that pumpkin. . Sigh….. Catchya on tv tomorrow. 😊

  8. HOW DO YOU DO IT ALL? You amaze me. Are you one if those people like the film..limitless. ? Lol. You deserve a medal !! You really do… Love that pumpkin. . Sigh….. Catchya on tv tomorrow. 😊

  9. Hi Barb,
    Well, this is much better than your run of the mill pumpin light! You have done a brilliant job. I don't do Halloween at all other than buy some sweets for the trick or treaters. Speaking of them – we had some round two weeks ago and when I said they'd have to come back on Halloween they said " Well that's only two days away!" Wouldn't have it when I said it was the 31st !!! Needless to say they went away sweetness and very disgruntled! Looking forward to the shows tomorrow. Love Alison xx

  10. That's gorgeous – much more attractive than the usual faces! I haven't carved a pumpkin for a while. A friend used to have halloween party every year and would gamely hollow out pumpkins for us to carve – what a trooper! Then she married a Nepalese guy and parties switched to the light festival, which is about the same time.

    Maybe I can manage to scrape out a little pumpkin this year. I heard the other day that something like 90% of all pumpkins produced don't get eaten, they're just for show. Seems incredible doesn't it!

    Looking forward to the shows tomorrow and next week, hope you enjoy them!

  11. What a fantastic idea Barbara. Might just have a go at this myself. Sorry your neck is so bad again but nice to hear Dave is feeling better. Looking fwd to tomorrow. I really hope they get the quality of the filming sorted soon. Xx

  12. Hello Barbara

    What a brilliant idea and you have done a fantastic job on the pumpkin. Like you, I don't 'do' Halloween.

    Good luck tomorrow, not that you need it. I see Paul is on one of the other channels tomorrow. Hope you can meet up.

    Love
    Roz.x

  13. Fab idea. Already got all the shows sky +ed! Wear what you like – I don't know how anyone would remember what you wore last month. Just make sure you're comfortable. Toi,toi,toi!

  14. Oh wow this is stunning I just love it. We used to make happy pumpkins for Halloween they always had a big smile. I am looking forward to your shows tomorrow you seem to be very well prepared. Have great evening. Hugs Jackie

  15. Omg! That's brill! Makes me want to rush out to get a pumpkin!
    As for the outfit….it's really no matter what you wear as long as it's not your birthday suit! Whatever you wear will be fine…you always look fabulous! Can't wait to see your demos tomorrow! Love and hugs xxx

  16. Omg! That's brill! Makes me want to rush out to get a pumpkin!
    As for the outfit….it's really no matter what you wear as long as it's not your birthday suit! Whatever you wear will be fine…you always look fabulous! Can't wait to see your demos tomorrow! Love and hugs xxx

  17. Hi Barbara,
    you clever thing!!!!!
    That looks fantastic and you can do that with a lot of your stencils.
    Let´s do this next year with a zucchini, aubergine etc…
    Best of luck for the shows tomorrow.
    Rolf xxx

  18. Oh what an absolutely wonderful creation. Looks fabulous and so much better than those scary ones. You can keep this one going til it starts to rot.
    So pleased that Dave's feeling better!!!!!!!!
    Will be driving down to Kent tomorrow but have the shows on record. Sure all your preparations will pay off and the shows will be a great success. The sneaky peaks from the DT have me longing to see more and to put in an order too. Safe journey up to Peterborough and maybe we'll be following each other down the A1 on your return xx

  19. Well you truly went well out of the box. Absolutely, blooming marvellous. You deserve my suggestion yesterday!! Really looking forward to tomorrow. You will look lovely in whatever you choose. Your personality shines through and handsome/pretty with it.
    Thank you also to the kind people who replied to my "ramblings" yesterday. Humble apologies but very touched by all the lovely bloggers.
    Anne (Reading)

    1. Anne I hope you have had a lovely calm day with your husband, it's good you can switch off with Clarity, I don't envy your job at all, you must have the patience of a saint and be able to shut the door on work. I've got my fingers crossed you get a signed calendar otherwise Barbara will have the nicest stalker around! Xxxx

  20. What a great idea looks fantastic looking forward to shows tomorrow got to empty kitchen as men arrive Monday morning to ripe it out for new one so may be lots crafting this week. Safe drive long see you tomorrow xxx

  21. Wow , this is just brilliant…better than making the bed anyday….I love it….and I am sure you will look great tomorrow …you always do…sleep well and see you tomorrow….I will be the one on the front row with my tea and cake….xxxx

  22. What a brilliant way to use a stencil. I'm going to pass this on to Alison my daughter she loves doing pumpkins. Thank you once again Barbara for the inspiration and good luck for tomorrow. I am looking forward to watching your programme again

  23. Evening all been really busy today finished mums Christmas cards today taken all week so before I nod off thought must read the blog.

    Love the idea of another way to use a stencil. Pumpkin pie comes to mind…made one when the children were small all I can say is ….The bin got most of it.

    Happy days Pen x

  24. Hi Barbara,
    What a beautiful way to use my favourite stencil it looks so mystical and magical all at the same time. I did see some on pintrest done with an electric drill very impressive.
    Can't wait to see your shows and what you have in store for us tomorrow. Safe journey and sleep well. Love Bev xxx

  25. This looks great Barbara – as I'm sure you will tomorrow on tv, no matter what you choose to wear 🙂
    Looking forward to the shows. Sleep well, knowing that you're fully prepped, Carole xxx

  26. That's really cool! I've never carved a pumpkin myself, but I love to see other people's. Glad to hear Dave is feeling better, and hope to catch some of your show tomorrow, Susan x

  27. Hi Barbara
    Wow this is stunning, what a great idea using the stencils and your tools of choice made me laugh – so much for the pumpkin carving sets you can buy! Go on tell us the sory of the pumpkin and your cousin! Made pumpkin pie once – I think that says it all! I'm sure you will look fab whatever you wear, you always do, safe journey tomorrow …….. And Dave, good to hear you are feeling better ! Xxxxxxx

  28. Hi Barbara got my Clarity order today and the wee boy in flight stencil was part of it so maybe buy an extra pumpkin and have a go with the bairns. Also loving my custom stamp now I can stamp from Granny Dot …Dot ….Aunty Dot…Mum… Love it.
    Your blog headers do make me giggle hope the shows go well tomorrow as always..xx

  29. I love the way you have carved that pumpkin Barbara and the boy in flight looks super with the light shining through, so creatively different from the usual halloween stuff. See you tomorrow. x

  30. Only you could have thought to use the stencil in this way, it looks fantastic. Looking forward to your shows, Barbara on Hochanda and rugby, great afternoons entertainment xx

  31. WOW!!!!! Is there anything yo can't do Barb???? It's amazing, I love it. I agree with you about the 'Halloween' thing, but this just looks great, not scary at all.
    Looking forward to your workshops. X

  32. Hi Barb, well I think this is just amazing, what a great idea to use our stencils on something different. Love it, and you have given me an idea for something else for next week. Hope the shows go well, I bet you have everything planned perfectly. Take care. Bx

  33. Love the pumpkin Barbara I have a ceramic one but like you I have been thinking about a real pumpkin
    After seeing yours I'm Defoe having s go love to Dave xxxxxxjune horrocks

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