Halloween: a time for a few tricks, LOTS of treats and THRILLING creative skills out in full force as perfectly crafted pumpkins pop up and decorate homes across the nation!
Now, we know you’re a crafty bunch, so we’re giving you the opportunity to showcase your pumpkin carving skills this month in a very special Craft Gin Club Pumpkin Carving Competition! We’ll be looking for photos of the most creative designs and displays - the ginnier, the better - but they must include a beautifully carved pumpkin…
All you have to do is submit your entry in the comments of the dedicated Facebook post surrounding this competition and you could win a bottle of autumnal gin to help get you in the seasonal spirit - and you get to pick: from Rock Rose Autumn Edition, Whitby Gin Demeter Edition and Ludlow Spiced Gin No.3!
*Competition closes on Sunday 31st October at midnight. Winner will be contacted via DM.
TIPS & TRICKS (OR TREATS!)
When it comes to carving a pumpkin, there’s a few things it can be handy to remember!
Prepare with the right tools (and stay safe - always supervising children!) Lots of supermarkets and online stores have pumpkin carving kits available.
Find a decent sized and sturdy pumpkin with a nice flat bottom so it doesn’t roll around when you’re trying to carve it!
Cut out the lid on an angle so that when you replace it, it won’t drop straight back inside the pumpkin!
Scoop out all the pulp - an ice cream scoop would make for an alternative tool if you don’t have anything in your carving kit! (Keep all the innards for some baking and cocktail making in celebration of your pumpkin masterpiece!)
Sketch out your design on paper first OR download and print off our Craft Gin Club logo template here and tape it to the front of your pumpkin to create a club classic to share with your gin pals!
Make simple cuts to start with that you can then come back and tidy up at the end!
Don’t overcomplicate things! It’s a tricky art to get perfect, so start simple and build up from there! If in doubt, pop an appropriately designed bottle of craft gin next to it and - hey presto - it’s gintastic!
Waste not, want not! Why not use your discarded pumpkin insides to make your own delicious pumpkin pie to enjoy alongside our pumpkin spice latte martini!
BONUS TIP! Use Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the edges of your pumpkin that are exposed to air as that will help seal in moisture and prevent it from shrivelling up too soon- and looking even spookier!
PUMPK-INSPIRATION
Here’s a few alternative gin-spiring pumpkin ideas for you all to get started with - including some spooky suggestions from Craft Gin Clubbers too!
Make like Craft Gin Clubber, Tina T., who was so GINspired by Craft Gin Club co-founders, Jon and John, that she decided to immortalise them within her ginny pumpkin display! Bravo, Tina!
Less freaky and more fabulous - why not turn your pumpkin into an autumnal flower display? (Via HubPages)
Now THIS is a pumpkin we’re very happy to see - and we reckon a few more of you Craft Gin Club members might be inspired by Lauren!
It’s a simple idea but, personally, we’re here for it! Treat yourself with this spa-inspired pumpkin! (Via GoodHousekeeping)
Craft Gin Clubber, Lisa, only went and carved our fabulous logo into her pumpkin this year!
Pretty for a mantelpiece or windowsill! Carve a few polka dot holes into your pumpkin in various designs and let that twinkly light shine through! (Via Delta-Breezes)
We ain’t afraid of no ghost… OR Lisa’s ghoulish gin box display!
Now you’ve got your pumpkins, why not show them off at your very own Halloween party by serving up these spook-tacular cocktails! Cheers and fears to you all! Mwahahaha!
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