DIY Halloween Decor Ideas: No-Carve Vampire Pumpkin Craft

Posted by Alexandra C. | Wednesday October 26, 2011

I'm no domestic goddess by any means, but I do love a good arts and crafts session. While searching for some Halloween décor ideas, I came across this very easy, quick, simple craft- so simple and easy that even I, clumsy as I am could recreate it- a great alternative for those who are 'pumpkin-carving challenged'. It's a great craft because it's so time efficient but the results are totally adorable. Try it today and get the kids involved too!

What you'll need:
- Paring Knife or Good Carving Knife
- Mini Pumpkin
- Permanent Marker
- Pen
- Plastic Vampire Fangs
- (optional) Paper, scissors, tape, pushpins

First: Make two marks to indicate how wide the mouth opening should be. I used the width of the fangs to measure this out. Create the outline of the mouth. Have fun with the height of the mouth, the fangs are flexible and pretty wide. It's important to remember to cut smaller at first, then adjust to your desired size.

Second: Cut along the outline. This is the 'adult-only' portion of the craft. Be sure to be careful with that knife! You'll then be able to easily pop out this portion.

Third: Clear out some of the excess flesh of the pumpkin. You don't need to get too into the pumpkin flesh- most of this won't be visible. Next, slide in those vamp fangs!

Make sure to give your pumpkin vampire some eyes! You have complete creative control with the eyes, if you want, you can use pushpins for eyes or draw eyes on paper and tape them on. I opted for small little beady black eyes drawn on with a permanent marker.

After trying this out on my first pumpkin, I thought it would be cute on those mini gourds you can find at the corner store or super market. Love the results!

More on Halloween, Holidays or Decorating?

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And let us know- Are you a big Halloween or holiday DIY-er?

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10 Comments

	on October 28, 2011 Makeup Guru Emily 1,073 said: Hehehe how cute!!
	on October 27, 2011 shiorim 982 said: The mini one is too cute! I never carve pumpkins (except when I was really little - my mom would do most of it lol) cause its always been too messy but this is a great idea.
	on October 27, 2011 Ali de Bold STAFF said: Haha! Love the mini ones.
	on October 26, 2011 Schmoopie 794 said: I love these pumpkins! I always looked at the little ones cause they're so cute but I never knew what to do with them. Excellent idea. I love to carve silhouette pumpkins (the ones where you don't cut all the way thru) and my husband and I usually do one each every Halloween. Cat faces are my fav and I've done quite a few over the years. Last year we did a matching set from the movie The Corpse Bride. They're great fun- we put in a 100w light bulb and that really makes the image carved in the pumpkin pop! Oooooo, super spooky!!
	on October 26, 2011 mamaluv STAFF said: so fun!
	on October 26, 2011 Jani said: LOVE this! So cute! I never would have thought to turn my pumpkin into a vampire, very creative. Definitely trying this! -Jani www.funfashionfit.com www.foottraffic.com
	on October 26, 2011 The Fashion P.A. 1,255 said: LOVE it! I love the annual pumpkin carving season (mainly for the homemade roasted pumpkin seeds) but I still haven't got around to it yet. This is my route this year if I'm pressed for time, I always display a pumpkin outside my front door to indicate I have treats for tricksters! ;)
	on October 26, 2011 takoda 28,648 said: The best thing I've found to use is those carving kits they came out with about ten years ago for kids. The carving tools are like little saws, so they can still cut you pretty bad. I wouldn't let a little kid use them, but they're great for older kids and if you like to carve like I do. You can get in there and make smaller finer cuts with out to much trouble. As always its best to read the instruction in the box before using it and if I remember right the carving kits come with some pretty simple patterns. They only cost a few dollars and since they've bin out for so many years now you might even be able to find one at a corner store. I know the little store round the corner from my house carry's them every year and only sells them for a $1.99. If you take care of the saws they'll last a long time, but if you don't carve like they tell you to, they will brake off at the handle. I also like cooking the seeds after I've finish carving my pumpkins.
	on October 26, 2011 AlexJC 50 said: @Takoda - I love crazy craved pumpkins! I think they are as good if not better than crazy Christmas lights! I am totally all thumbs when it comes to craving though- I admit I got a little bit of help on this one... *shhh lol As a side note- these pumpkins will last about 2 weeks- my little one is starting to rot now and it isn't smelling so hot!
	on October 26, 2011 takoda 28,648 said: Nice job Alex. I love to carve our pumpkin every year and I usually good all out with it. If you go to this web site http://www.pumpkinglow.com/PumpkinArt.htm you can see some of the great carving people have done over the years. I did a hunted house from this web site last year. I didn't take a pic of that one and unfortunately I can't show you any of the others I have done because we lost most of our pics when our computer died on us. They use to have easier patterns that you could get from here, but I haven't look this year so I don't know if they're still doing that. If your a beginner its pretty helpful and they also tell you how the keep your pumpkin looking good for longer. Some of these carving are amazing!! Give them a look, it might help you decide what to do with your pumpkin this year.