How to Make a Pumpkin with Corks

This is a fast and super cute DIY project. Ask your wine enthusiast or local wine bar to save you some wine corks or purchase some here. I'm lucky to have The Art Resource Center, they offer free art worthy materials to volunteers who work with nonprofits. They happen to have wine corks the day I came in.

Upcylced wine cork pum,pkins

Cork pumkin

Materials:

- 25 recycled wine corks
- Orange acrylic paint
- Paint brush
- Hot glue gun or E600 adhesive
- Craft knife or serrated knife
- Silk leaves, dried leaves or felt leaves
- Scissors
- Sisal twine or raffia

Arrange the corks in rows (4 on the bottom, then 5, then 6, then 5 and 4 on the top row, make a larger one by adding one cork to each row) and hot glue them together. If you use E6000, let it dry for an hour or so, before attaching each row and allow the glue to set before painting. 

Hot glue artificial, dried, or felt leaves on top.

Take the one remaining cork and cut off part of it with your knife. Hot glue it on top as the stem. 

Dilute the paint with a bit of water and paint both ends of cork except the top "stem" or leave them their natural tan color. Allow to dry.

Finish your cork pumpkin by tying sisal twine or raffia around the stem to resemble the vine.

They are so fast and easy.  I'm sure by Thanksgiving, I'll have several more around the house. They also make perfect hostess and teacher gift too.

Oh No! the Museum...What Will We Do?

In a world inundated with social media, television and the ever popular smart device, what we are missing is the three dimensional interaction with the world and the beauty that surrounds it. Making vsiting an art museum more important than ever.

However, do your kids cringe at the very thought of visiting an art museum? Going to an art museum may not sound like fun for most kids (even some adults). You'll have more fun and save yourself from frustration if you do a little prep work. 

Visit the museum website to check out current exhibits and make a list of "must see" pieces. If the museum is is vast focus on one wing of the museum. Mix things up by including paintings and three-dimensional artwork of different mediums and genres. Take special note of any exhibit closure. 



If you are on a budget visit the museum on free art days when they offer free general admission, but if you're more interested in painting and sculpture than shoulders, elbows and heads, you may want to avoid free art days.

Bring along an art journal and pencil so they can make notes and sketch what they see. The museum any even have a kids pack full of activity cards, puzzles and other creative challenges that you can borrow - usually at the admission desk. Consider renting and audio guide designed just for kids. 

Have a scavenger hunt to see who can figure out how many paintings have food , etc...most importantly travel light,and take your time there's no rush.

Take a break and enjoy a delicious snack in the museum cafe, or purchase good for take away and weather permitting you could have a picnic! 

So can you tell which museum is featured here? Take a guess below. I would also love to hear your tips for visiting museums.