DIY Life

'Tis the season of the pumpkin. We carve them, make delicious pies from them and puree them for baby food. We even toast the seeds for a crunchy snack. But if you're bored with all that, maybe it's time to find some fun new functions for your pumpkins! Here are a few suggestions to get the creative juices flowing:

Sticking in the food realm for just a moment, why not branch out and try something other than pie? For example, pumpkin chili is fun to make. Or do as the Native Americans did and make pumpkin leather for winter snacking. Yum.

Feeling crafty? Pumpkins and gourds can be fashioned into all sorts of objects once hollowed out and dried. For example? How about drums and shakers for homemade music time? Or turn them into bird feeders, fun decorative bird houses ... or even use gourds to create real birdhouses for nesting yard birds like wrens.

For your Fall front yard display, try making a pumpkin man. For Halloween: a gourd ghost. Mmm, spooky. And for Thanksgiving decorating I never tire of simple pumpkin and gourd table arrangements.

Small pumpkins are easily carved into simple candle holders for your Thanksgiving table. Also, don't forget larger pumpkins can be hollowed out, dried, and used as serving bowls or flower vases.

Speaking of pumpkin and gourd decorative accents, lovers of the Fall season might consider an autumn wedding with pumpkin decorations. Pumpkins and gourds may be used as colorful aisle markers and table centerpieces.

Think you're a gifted gourd carver? Well, here are a couple more advanced projects to try out. First up, gourd shoes. Yes, handcarved shoes ... from gourds. Or how about a handy gourd purse?

If you're more skilled with a paintbrush than a carving knife, remember the sky's the limit when it comes to painting pumpkins or painting gourds for seasonal decorations. Inspiring stuff? Definitely!