As someone who aspires to be Martha Stewart when it comes to pumpkin crafts, I thought I would try my hand at a poker themed pumpkin!

Make Your Own Poker-themed Pumpkin

First, start with a pumpkin:

And make sure you have the right tools…obviously; this wasn’t the first time I’ve carved pumpkins. In addition to the traditional 5 piece set that includes the scoop and different serrated knives, last year I also splurged and got the linoleum cutters from Michaels (with a 40% off a single item coupon, of course!)

Then we thought about what we wanted to make and got inspiration from the Zynga iPad apps:

And sketched out our ideas. I normally cut the bottom of the pumpkin, instead of the top…this prevents the pumpkin from rotting as quickly and it keeps the top of the pumpkin pretty.

We got all the seeds and goup out:

With just our hands and the scoop that comes in the pack.

Since I didn’t have a pattern and it’s very easy to make a mistake and cut the wrong line, I visulized everything by cutting out my design and taping it to the pumpkin.

Then I traced on what I wanted to make:

After tracing the basical outlines with a market that could easily be wiped off, I drew in the details since I was going to be cutting around the lettering and cards.

Then with my linoleum cutter I started shaving away.

I used a lamp to sign under the pumpkin so I wouldn’t have to play with fire everytime.

Eventually I was done! I used the smaller blade to edge out the details…then I shaved away the excess pumpkin.

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In order of Halloween, Deals of the Week (DoWs) have a certain seasonal flair.  Discounts include photos, costumes, food, candy, and other fun tricks and treats.  A lot are for parties – not even Halloween related…stock up for office or classroom parties!

Amazon.com’s selling Nestle, Mars, and Wonka Candy for a great discount!

Amazon’s Halloween Headquarters lets you save $10 on Select Costume Orders over $50 from

Breyer’ Yogurt – Get a coupon good for a FREE YoCrunch Yogurt when you mail any Halloween Candy wrapper to: Shaina Zalma / YoCrunch / 9507 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 300 / Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Nestle Family save $1.00 Off Any Bag of Nestle Candy + $1.00 Off Wonka Candies when you register or sign in to print your 2 coupons for these candies.

Oriental Trading is offering 20%off any order now through Oct. 29, 2009 use coupon code SW1019778.  Ground shipping sent today (Oct. 20^th will be delivered by Oct. 26!)

Party City is offering all kinds of $10 off on $30 or more, 50% off Halloween Supplies, KidsPatterned Tableware online w/ Coupon code: PCBARBIE10 and Coupon code: PCWELCOME50, respectively, exp. 12/31/09.  Don’t forget to follow @PartyCity and on Facebook.

Sears lets you take 40% off Halloween costumes w/ $5.00 OFF $25.00.  Coupon code: S5OFF25.

Spirit Halloween is offering all kinds of Halloween deals, don’t forget to follow them on Twitter @spiritonline and fan them on Facebook.  Use the following to save $5, $15, $30 on entire purchase w/ SAV5, SAV15, and SAV30 respectively.  Also take 20% off any single item, online with coupon code: SOCIETY, exp: 10/31/09, print here.

SplendidLife.com is offering a free Gift Cookie Cutter Set with Purchase AND 25% OFF with Free Shipping!!  Coupon code: AFOCT and NEWS.

The Scholastic Store is offering 10% off all online AND free shipping for purchases over $25!  Use coupon code SSHLWN by Oct. 26th!

Walgreens is offering 20% off Halloween Costumes, Accessories & Décor w/ coupon code: PUMPKIN, Exp: 10/27/09.

Walgreens Photos is also offering 25 FREE when you purchase 25 using coupon code EXTRAFREE by Oct. 24^th.  Walgreen’s mailing list frequently sends out good offers.

Yankee Candle – $10 Off a $25 Purchase (Online+ In-Store) exp. 11/14, coupon code: H4XFOP.

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Create an unforgettable Halloween for the entire family!  I have scoured the internet to consolidate the best fun activities that not only encourage a good, safe time but help the community, environment, and result in much more than just cavities.

My Halloween Series includes:

• Halloween WoW – Holiday special, this website of the week is a real treat!
• Halloween Countdown – What to do while you’re waiting!  Get Halloween to “go green” and find friend and family fun!
• Trick or Treating – Check out my ideas to breathe new life into an age old tradition!  Great ideas for individuals, families, neighbors, and friends!

I’ve always enjoyed Halloween – it’s a fun holiday regardless of your age.  This year though, instead of waiting for the true meaning of Christmas to roll around, use Halloween as an opportunity to show your kids that they shouldn’t just look forward to the sweet stuff at the end of the month but they can ALSO offer a lot of treats too!

Website of the Week (WoW): UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund)

A global organization that saves kids’ lives in over 150 countries by providing clean water, nutrition, medicines, education and aid in emergencies.  They’re also offering awesome ways to raise awareness and contributions!

UNICEF’s Media Savvy

• Follow @unicefusa’s tweets on Twitter.  (Not on Twitter yet?  Twitter 101 from basics to advanced users here!)
• Become a Fan on Facebook!
• Join their cause – By clicking on the “Join Cause” button, you can track how much money you’re raising, see how others are doing, and join the discussions online!

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Encourage your child to help other kids, all over the world, survive and get the basic essentials they need to live better, fuller lives!  Bring around your orange box to collect money in while trick or treating.  Check out their PDF of FAQ here.

• Practice What you Preach – Does your child get a little gun shy?  Don’t wait until opening night to find out what lines your kid’s going to deliver?  UNICEF even has an online game to help kids practice what they’re going to say.

***Parents check out these resources to help understand and explain the importance of giving back, now and throughout the year!

• The Orange Box – Order online or pick up from any of their retail partners:
  • Pier 1 – Become a fan and follow @Pier_1_Imports.
  • Hallmark – @HallmarkPR and Hallmark’s Facebook app.
  • Baskin Robbins – @BaskinRobbins and become a fan.

Available anytime between now and Halloween.  Don’t feel like waiting? Download the materials to make your own collection canister here.

***P&G will double HGTV TV viewers’s tax-deductible donations made online between October 18^th and October 31^st!

Halloween Party Toolkit

Includes EVERYTHING you need to throw a fun, successful, and informative fundraising party!

• Invitations
• “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” Door Sign
• Stickers, Window Cling, and Door Hanger
• Text-or-Treat Mobile Giving Cards – hand out during the party for your guests to contribute at their convience.
• UNICEF DVD – Download the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF DVD, to show your guests how their contributions will be used.

Whether you’re throwing a party for a lot of people or just your family, take advantage of this awesome offer!

Create Your Own Website

Your child, their school, your organization, or just you can create your very own online fundraising Mecca!  In a few easy steps, save the lives a children across the world by:

• Creating a monetary goal
• Personalizing your website – easy to update and use!  (Can even create personalized URLs.)
• Send out to friends and families…encourage everyone to participate!

UNICEF Download Center

Don’t have enough stuff yet?!  With enough activities to entertain you and your children for hours, take advantage of all the FREE resources available!  Download the fundraising kit, ultimate resource kit, or check out the entire sub-site dedicated for teachers!

TeachUNICEF

TeachUNICEF is a resource for U.S. educators.  TeachUNICEF education materials have been designed to help educators bring a global understanding of the needs of children and families around the world into the classroom.

• Monthly E-mails – find out about new opportunities and resources as they become available online and locally.
• Units and Lesson Plans – by grade or by topic, check out the Trick or Treat for UNICEF Teacher Kit and other issues children around the world are facing.
• Service Tips and Opportunities – opportunities for educators to engage students in service.
• Videos – from intro through in-depth looks at specific issues, free to show throughout classes.

Delivering the Goods

UNICEF makes it easy to turn in donations by phone, online, mail, or even your local Coinstar center!  Turn in all the coins you collect instantly and send off your receipt.

And you don’t have to have kids for a lot of my suggestions – grab a group of your friends, your co-workers, and celebrate the end of harvest time with the season of sharing!

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