Watermelon Lantern Tutorial

I love to carve watermelons..Last year I had carved a peacock .. Then some time back I carved a ship of which I did a tutorial here. This time I thought of making a lantern from an watermelon. Last week I did a Diwali-themed table decor  which had the carved watermelon lantern as the centerpiece.. 

It has a candle inside and it dazzles when it is dark!!! So today I want to share with you the tutorial of how to make a watermelon lantern. 

So lets see how to make it !!!

For this you need:

A round watermelon

a carving knife( I use a Ikea carving knife)

Candle

Plate 

To make a stable base for the lantern, I cut the bottom part and turned it upside down..
Then start making zig zag pattern on the top side. Remove the top slice and keep aside.
Start scooping the watermelon into another bowl.

With the sharp carving knife I started making cuts in the pattern.. Spontaneously I made cuts and patterns on the watermelon..

I scooped the melon till the bottom such that there was a hole at the base. .. I saved the carved pieces for decoration.. I scooped and carved the top slice and inserted it back into the zig zag portion.. 

Placed a candle on the center of the plate .. placed the watermelon on it ..Then decorated the plate with the cut pieces .. 

Now dim the lights and enjoy the warm glow and the pattern created by the carved watermelon lantern!!!!
Tip: To use this lantern for 4-5 days, keep the watermelon in the refrigerator after use. 


PS: If you are wondering how I made these mosaics. It is very easy. You can make them with your flickr images. Upload them on BigHugelabs site and in seconds your mosaics is ready!!!

Linking to Making the world cuter, Just something I whipped up at TGC, Get your craft on !!!

 http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Thank God it's Friday!!

Australia: Beaches, Sea, Holidays, Warm, clear skies, relaxing ..Us: Size zero, newly weds:)
....hmmmm..Beautiful memories!!

TGIF!!!! Have a wonderful happy and cheerful weekend!!!!

Linking to Skywatch!!

Diwali themed table decor

The festive season is knocking on the door.. Deepavali or Diwali is just around the corner.. I am getting into the festive mood and getting my home into the festive mood as well..Starting from the dining table..My dining table is the center of anything happening in the house and shows the mood of the people living it !!! This is what my table looks like today .. decked with flowers, candles and an .....

...yes as you can see an carved watermelon as a lantern .. I carved it yesterday night..I have made a tutorial of how to carve a watermelon which I will share later on the weekend..This is not the first time I carved a watermelon.. I had carved a ship and peacocks earlier.. you can see tutorial here. I had used it for a beach themed table decor. ( btw the watermelon can be used for Halloween or anyother festival as well..it is going to be my substitute for pumpkin jack of lantern as well..seriously.. I am not joking..:))

Coming back to the festive Diwali table decor..Diwali is the festival of lights and so the most important decor element is lights, lamps(wax or oil), traditional Indian diyas, candles..I arranged small candles which are made in shells around the carved watermelon..They are in vanilla scent..and also decorated some candles around the stargazer lily..

The second important decor element is flowers .. As you know that I moved in Singapore last month and so discovering my favorite flowers was a moment of happiness.. I arranged some in a cut-glass bowl which I brought from Berlin and on its side is a Swan from Austria.

I arranged the stargazer lilies in a tall vase to give rhythm and symmetry to the arrangement.. 

The focal point is the carved watermelon.. I lit the candles and it gives a magnificent glow and makes a beautiful pattern when it is dark.. 

The warm glow and the pattern gives a calming and magical effect ..

I arranged the cut pieces of the melon around the dish .. They make a pretty pattern..

The silver leaf gives the glittery effect of the festive season. Coming back to the important decor element for Diwali ..the third important is colors .. India is known for bright and happy  colors and it is obvious during the festival time..Colors denote happiness.. reds, maroons, orange , greens, gold and silver.. all glam & glamour and bling bling!! I am not that adventurous or flashy so I used colors in subtle and natural form ..

The top view of the centerpiece..I just love the colors and the shapes and the harmony between them.. all natural !!

This is the first Diwali decorations and there is more festivity on my blog ..so do stay tuned .. I did a tutorial of this watermelon carving ..check it out here!!!

Spooky bloody cupcakes

This is what I did this weekend!! I did a trial of making spooky and bloody cupcakes for Halloween treats. Last year I had seen these on etsy's How-Tuesday videos. Can you imagine all year round I kept on thinking next time I will make these cupcakes on Halloween ..Finally the time has come!! 

Before I start the tutorial I have to mention the quality of pics is very bad..I will share the original etsy video at the end of the tutorial which looks much better:) 


For these spooky cupcakes you need Cupcakes, jam and frosting and food coloring!!

Bake cupcakes or buy ready made ones. 

Then scoop out the center of the cupcake with a knife.

Fill it with jam or cherry pie filling.



Put the cut part of the cupcake on the top of it like a lid.

Frost the cupcake.

With toothpick make the vampire teeth marks with diluted jam or red food coloring.

When your guests bite into the cupcake, the jam will come out making it bleed:)

Here is the video of the original bleeding vampire cupcakes

Linking to fab parties at Thrilling Thursday , Get your craft on Thursday, Feature yourself Friday!!!

Happy Weekend!!!

Today's post is just to say thanks to all the wonderful ladies who have featured and mentioned my Blog amongst their friends and readers!!

Thanks Madhura and Pallavee for showcasing my Indian decor on their fabulous site India Unlimited!!

Thanks Shivani of the unique and cutest Owl Barn blog for mentioning my owls on her FB page!!

Thanks Archana of the fabulous Rang Decor blog for mentioning my recycled projects on FB!!! 

Thanks Lori for featuring me on Thrilling Thursday!!

Thanks Ces for featuring Halloween spiders on her fab blog Lollipops and Papers !! 

Thank you to all the gorgeous people who have put my blog link on their awesome blogs,gave me awards, who are following me and take time to visit and comment on my blog!!

Are you wondering who this teddy is ? Thats me ..Yep..making and scooping out projects, tutorials and decor ideas just for you;)

 Have a great weekend!!!!!

Swiss beauty

Early this year on the first day of Spring ..1st April , DH and I drove to the French speaking part of Switzerland, Montreux. We both love this place and have went there 2-3 times earlier. We were expecting some good spring weather..But it was very cloudy, cold and yes..it started snowing hard. We thought this is nature's way of saying April Fool to us...:)) But later the weather transformed totally into a very pleasant and romantic cool atmosphere!!

In the evenings and early mornings we went for long walks around the lake Geneva  and in the quaint town..!  The French apls provide a breathtaking and stunning backdrop!! I took a video from my hotel balcony..

During the day time we drove into France and enjoyed the neighboring French and Swiss cities, quaint towns with serene natural beauty!!! 

We have traveled in Europe by train earlier when we were new in Zürich ..It is easy and comfortable. Once we got a car we realized that the natural beauty one can enjoy driving on the roads in small towns, cute villages cannot be enjoyed by public transport. I believe one cannot really truly enjoy and have seen Europe especially Switzerland if you didn't drive there. So if planning a trip there ..rent a car and drive around!!

visit sky watch for more beautiful locations!!

Fall fruits centerpiece

It's been a very tiring day. Actually since last Friday's visit to the hospital, I am really feeling down. I am not that uncomfortable or unfamiliar with hospitals as I like getting pampered there and get scanned under all the machines..LOL...but it is the decor spree I am in my new home which is very hectic and stressful.. I am working towards a blue and white kitchen. Things have finally started falling in place. I think it will take a month for getting the settling down feeling. Anyway, whenever I am feeling down I like to lit up candles. They make so much difference..Is it the aroma or is it the romantic flickering lights ..I don't know.. but I really feel better.. calmed and relaxed!!! 

I wanted to make a fall table decor..but ended up doing only the fall fruit platter centerpiece..

Fruits and candles make a perfect combination. The original idea I had in mind was to have red berries, fall leaves and twigs as well..anyhow in this tropical climate and my health manged to gather only the green apples, red grapes and candles today. I wanted pumpkins as well but I didn't like the ones available..I think all the nicely rounded ..good ones are already taken...And also I am too much of perfectionist.. If I want something I settle for only something like it or nothing..

I had seen these candle/tea light holder in a shop online...can't remember now....It was cylindrical glass with tea light/candle holder on the top...I kept thinking about it and suddenly this idea came to my mind!! I took a tall glass, filled it with strawberries (I think even fresh lemon slices will look superb ) and placed a Ikea 's Bloomster tea light holder on it!! Your fresh fruit candle stand is ready!! 

I want to improvise this centerpiece with some acorns and pine cones.. cinnamon sticks and star anise .. I think then it will look great for the holidays as well!!! 

I am participating in the fab party at Marty's on Tabletop Tuesday ,

Susan's Tablescape Thursday,

Gina's Transformation Thursday!!

Halloween inspirations

This is a Halloween round up of wonderful ideas of decor and treats.. Take a look and be inspired!!!!

                                                                                                                           Courtesy: Good housekeeping.

Love the way the pumpkins are used as candle lamps..So innovative .. Love the orange table runner as well.. A charming and easy fall and Halloween table decor!!!

                                                                                                                                   Courtesy: Good housekeeping.

Sugar pumpkins with color and theme coordinated ribbons in a bowl as table centerpiece.. Once done with the decor part these sugar pumpkins can be used to make a pie..Sugar or pie pumpkins make more tastier pies than the larger ones.  

                                                                                                                               Courtesy: Better homes &gardens

No carve Pumpkin design is so easy. You only needs a apple corer to scoop out the polka dots.. 

                                                                                                                                  Courtesy: House&home

Prepare the entry way with a twig wreath with plastic spiders and a little pumpkin glued on it. Arrange the pumpkins , scoop them and paint the design on it. Some paper jack luminaries and some fall leaves ....

Decorate pumpkins as simply or as elaborately with pretty ribbons.. Check this wonderful project on May Arts blog.

To end the decor round up I have a fantastic project. I was so thrilled to have found this wonderful project. I am in awe at how beautiful they look.. These beautiful cloth pumpkins cushions are made by the very creative Danielle. She has given a through step by step tutorial on  her blog : Thompson family blog

                                                                                                                                                   Courtesy: Woman's day.

Now let's turn to treats, cake and cookies for Halloween ... How about a Creepy cake stand .. Make ghosts, zombies, bats and everything scary with marzipan to top up the cup cakes..

Tombstone cookies.. Bake the cookies and pipe RIP on it and stick them in chocolate dessert cup ... Get the recipe here on  Womagz

                                                                                                                                                                                            Courtesy: Womagz

Ohhh how I love these .. Spooky ghosts on cupcakes.. Make these with marshmallow or whipped cream..  

                                                                                                                                                                                           Courtesy: House&home

Boo Cookies.. Decorate spooky cookies with cream and chocolate...

                                                                                              Courtesy: Halloween experts

Along came the spider.. make these creepy spiders with Oreo cookies and M&M's  

                           Did you check my Oreo owls..They are super easy as well!!!!!! 

Also check my latest post about Halloween Breakfast/ meal food art !!

Hope you got some inspiring ideas from these pictures.. I got many and will post them soon.. stay tuned for my bloody cupcakes!!!!