Pumpkin.
P-U-M-P-K-I-N.
What a funny looking word, right? And as I typed up this post I kept looking at it again and again. Thinking that it looked wrong. Like it couldn’t possibly be spelled that way.
So I Googled ‘how to spell pumpkin.’
And it came back P-U-M-P-K-I-N.
So I was right.
But why does it look so wrong?
Why pump and kin? Who looked at those orange blobs with stems and leaves and little squiggle vines growing out of the ground and thought, pumpkin?
And that thought brought me back to the days when I walked my kids to elementary school and they would ask the hard questions. About why the sky is blue. And what happens when we die. And why certain things are called those things. And who came up with the names in the first place. And why.
You know, all those fun early morning pre-coffee conversations that make a mom’s head hurt.
And other than the blue sky question (something to do with science I would say) I didn’t have any answers then. Or now.
So together we are left to ponder why pumpkins are called pumpkins as we make this paper pumpkin craft. A craft, by the way, that you can easily make with those deep question kids. And a craft, by the way, that can extend beyond Halloween to Thanksgiving …
How To Make Paper Pumpkins
Start by cutting 1″ strips from your paper.
For the smaller pumpkins, I cut 12 strips 6″ in length; for the larger pumpkins I cut 18 strips 7-8″ in length.
Punch holes in both ends of the strips.
Cut out two leaves and punch holes in the ends (for the leaf, just Google image search “pumpkin leaf pattern” and copy and resize).
Stack strips and insert paper fasteners through punched holes on both ends; on one end, include cut out leaves.
Lightly bend paper in half circle and fan out individual strips.
Using gold floral wire, wrap around pencil. Cut piece and wrap center around fastener.
And now that we’re done, we can go back to wondering why and how things got their names.
Like, why is paper called paper?
🙂
You might also like:
Navy & Brown Fall Living Room (click here)
Fall Homemade Air Freshener (click here)
Hydrangea Wreath for Fall (click here)
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like why are you so amazing? these are so cute and unique. love them!
Your memories are describing my present life with my 5 year old grandson! Yesterday I told him my ears were too full of questions and they needed a chance to empty out. ☺ These pumpkins are adorable!
Love the blue and gold! Nice and simple. My favorite!
Adorable Linda and perfect for your fall decor!
You can always check in the Oxford English Dictionary for word origins.,..
Adorable pumpkins ~ thanks for the tutorial!
These are adorable, Linda. I’m going to make them with my grandkids today!
What a creative idea with endless possibilities! So adorable!
These are so neat and seem so easy to make. Will have to get the kids involved! I’d love it it you’d link it up at Worthwhile Wednesdays Link Party!
http://www.craftyallieblog.com/2015/11/worthwhile-wednesdays-93.html
Allie (www.craftyallieblog.com)
Wish I”d seen this post before we went to Michaels today. Love papers you used, they are all so pretty, perfect variety for your pumpkins.
Speaking of language, wonder how immigrants that come here to US every learn our language, so many expressions and words mean other things, especially to them.
I can hardly wait to get off here to make some of these babies, your pumpkins are awesome and gorgeous, Pinning Happy week and Sunday
Love how simple and elegant these paper pumpkins are, Linda!
I’d love for you to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party/
Followed and Pinned!
Creatively, Beth