October 1st ususally heralds the arrival of pumpkins in stores and on the farm. However, this morning I drove up to my local grocer and what did I see? Piles of pumpkins filling the front sidewalks! Woo hoo! Autumn has arrived! I know, I know, you probably think that I’d be sick of pumpkins by now, that this morning’s discovery would have sent automatic shudders down my spine. Nope! I still love carving pumpkins…more so, seeing these big orange globes brings back memories of fall that I’ll get to experience once again. Suddenly I want to jump in a big pile of russet colored leaves, don a fuzzy sweater, light candles and fill the air with the baking aroma of spiced apples and hot cider.

So, let the season begin! Giving in to temptation I brought home the biggest pumpkin I could pull from the pile (I might even go back this afternoon and get some more!). Now, for the hardest part of pumpkin carving …choosing which pattern I’m going to use!

New patterns for 2008 are here! Last year we debuted a new, downloadable Halloween pattern book. This year, we have an all new Halloween pumpkin pattern book(with 24 new patterns!), plus a book of another dozen patterns celebrating Harvest Home. In honor of Campaign ’08, we’ve also got a third book of political and patriotic pumpkin patterns just right for the occasion. Can you tell what I’ve been working on over the past few months?

And don’t worry, there will be plenty of free patterns, too. Each week from now until Halloween, we’ll add several more to the website in the Free Patterns section. Don’t see your favorite subject? Email us your ideas and the most popular may become a new book, or, at the least, become a free pattern for the website. Besides, we love hearing from you! Knowing that people enjoy the designs… hearing how they’ve become a part of your holidays…that is what makes all the hard work worthwhile!

Happy Carving!

Lisa Berberette
The Pumpkin Lady

It’s here! I walked into Barnes and Noble yesterday(my home away from home) to peruse the latest Halloween magazines, and, lo and behold, I see Woman’s Day’s Halloween Celebrations Magazine. Why, you ask, am I so excited? Because The Pumpkin Lady has an eight page spread beginning on page 46! Earlier this year, when other people had visions of fuzzy bunnies and yellow chicks dancing in their head, I was designing these Halloween patterns and carving as fast as I could to meet my deadline. I sent the finished carvings off to their photographers and now I can hold the outcome in my hot little hands. The patterns I created for them are all new, and can only be found in the magazine. But don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of new patterns free to download each week from the http://www.pumpkinlady.com/ website beginning the last week of September, plus there’s three new pattern books debuting this weekend. Whether you celebrate the Harvest or Halloween, I’m sure you’ll find a pattern your whole family will love!

Happy Carving!

Lisa Berberette
The Pumpkin Lady

Labor Day has come and gone…my son is back in school…and me too! Despite working around the clock these days, I attend college full time too. No…technically I’m not a glutton for punishment…I just know that there’s still a lot more that I need to know! As you can probably guess, my classes center around the Arts, but I’ve added several more that, instead of just muddling through, will make me a pro in Adobe Illustrator, In Design, and enhance my Photoshop skills…all to serve you better! These classes will make it even easier for me and my ever so patient hubby, Jack, to design pattern books, update the website, and get those creative juices flowing. Now…if I could just figure out when I get to sleep…..

After lots of prodding from family, friends, and fans, I’ve decided it’s about time to create The Pumpkin Lady Blog. As the leaves change color each fall, emails begin pouring in, many with similar questions…Do you carve pumpkins year round? Can you make a living at that? How long does it take you? How do I follow my dreams? Could you….and so on and so on. So, this year I’m going to blog my artist life with you. And give you this warning: I love my life, but it ain’t all wine and roses! My job as a professional pumpkin carver brings a lot of excitement, and more than its share of problems. I’ll share with you the ups and downs of being an artist, student, and working mom. I’ll even let you in on some of my future goals and plans, so you can keep me accountable and hold me to them!

It’s going to be an exciting year, I’m glad you’re going along on the ride with me…