Make a pumpkin vase

Pumpkin vases are simple, and leave lots of room for your own creativity. You can choose flowers or leaves in colors that match your Thanksgiving table setting. This autumn decoration can be quickly transformed into a Halloween accessory by draping it in a spider web.

What you'll need

1. Pumpkin
2. Carving tools
3. Spoon
4. Vase
   
5. Flowers or leaf branches

After the break I'll explain how we make the pumpkin vase. Make sure you take a look through the gallery for pictures accompanying each step.




Creating your pumpkin vase

1. Choose your pumpkin - First decide where you want the pumpkin to go. Choose a size that is appropriate for that space. You don't want your dinner guests blocked by a giant pumpkin or a tiny pumpkin getting lost in your front porch display.
2. Cut off the top - Make markings where you plan to cut so the line will be even. Cut the top off the pumpkin. I chose a straight line, but you could do any design you choose.
3. Put the vase in the pumpkin - Make sure that the vase doesn't peek out the top. The idea here is that it looks like the flowers are sitting directly in the pumpkin.
4. Add your flowers - This is the fun part. Showcase your garden flowers, or buy some from the store. I think it would look great with leaf branches of different heights and varying colors.
   
5. Change the mood - If you're looking for something a bit more haunted, drape the flowers with a spider web.

What I'd do differently next time
This is my favorite heading. I like looking back at these little projects and sharing what I'd do differently next time. I hope that you can learn a bit from my mistakes and take your project to the next level.

1. Choose a different pumpkin - I liked the look of my pumpkin because it was tall, but in the end too tall. I think in the final product you see far too much orange pumpkin. It looks a bit awkward and seriously limits where I can put it.
2. Be more mindful of flower arrangement - I think it would have been nice if the flowers spilled over the side of the pumpkin instead of standing straight up. I would have also chosen to add some leaves or plain greenery around the bottom.