Best planter

The Circadee.com site shows how you can easily hollow out a pumpkin to use as an eye-catching container for colorful fall flowers. The blogger cleverly calls this mum-filled project a “mumkin.” We’ve excerpted the tips here:

1 Pick a large pumpkin. Carve the top wide enough to fit a 4-inch or 6-inch plant. Clean out the inside and let the pumpkin dry.

2 Once the pumpkin is dry, insert the plant, leaving it in its nursery pot. If you plant the soil in the pumpkin, it will rot almost immediately. Also remove the plant from the pumpkin when watering. Let all of the water drain before re-planting. Try not to get any excess water in the pumpkin.

3 Then the fun part … decorating! A chocolate brown satin ribbon contrasts with all of the orange. You could use raffia or moss to finish it off or even decorate the pumpkin with glitter.

See the finished “mumkin” at http://nando.com/63

Best for ice packs

We’ve seen lots of people posting lately about marathons, injuries and upcoming surgeries. So a post about homemade ice packs making the rounds on Pinterest caught our eye.

It claims that you can make your own malleable ice pack by combining one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water in a zip-top bag and placing it in the freezer. (Consider double bagging or vacuum-sealing a food-grade bag to guard against leaks.)

The alcohol apparently keeps the water from freezing completely, and allows the pack to mold to the shape of whatever body part it is placed upon. Never put an ice pack directly on the skin. Make sure to wrap the pack with a cloth before using.

See the original post at http://nando.com/66

Reader’s best

Cary reader Audrey Donahue sent in a tip for cleaning ceiling fans: “When cleaning overhead fans, I place either a kid’s sticker or a Post-it note on the blade where I start, so I know where to end.”

Best personalized decor

There’s an adorable, personalized pumpkin that’s making the rounds on Pinterest. It’s a product that can be ordered online, but we easily could see it replicated by intrepid readers of Top Drawer.

First, determine whether you prefer to leave the stem natural or give it some sparkle. For sparkle, paint the stem with glue and sprinkle glitter liberally around the top. (You may want to cloak the rest of the pumpkin to minimize residual glitter)

Neatly pen your family’s surname in large, decorative script using a Sharpie across the middle front of a large pumpkin. (i.e., The Johnsons)

Next, draw several large, neatly placed polka dots around the periphery.

Using a glue gun, affix a large, preassembled, decorative bow at the top of the pumpkin above your family’s name. Voilà, a personalized pumpkin for your porch or a centerpiece. See an example at http://nando.com/67

Best lighting

Looking for a seasonal but elegant way to light the way on All Hallow’s Eve? The projectqueen.org site suggests getting a rectangular platter, standing three (or more) black pillar candles on it and surrounding them with candy corn. It’s a quick, easy, fairly cheap (think dollar store) and creative way to decorate the dinner table or an entry foyer for fall celebrations.

See an example at http://nando.com/68

Designer’s best

The Traditional Home blog suggests you corral unsightly makeup brushes in a square glass vase on your countertop. Fill the vase with clear glass marbles from your local flower shop or crafts store, and you’ve got a modern, sleek and practical way to stand your brushes on end and have them at the ready. Learn more at http://nando.com/69

Best of the tube

On HGTV

Going to extremes: The word extreme means different things to different people, and to these homeowners it means pushing the envelope as far as possible. This series provides an up-close look at some of the world’s most spectacular houses. From a giant home in Argentina to an upside down house in Brazil, to a house made in America then shipped to Japan. “Extreme Homes” airs at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Raleigh bound: College graduate Tim is relocating to Raleigh from West Virginia to take his first job as a kindergarten teacher. After several weeks living with his aunt and uncle and five young cousins, he’s eager to find a place of his own. But just how far will his $135,000 budget carry him in the City of Oaks? Tune in to “House Hunters” at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

On DIY

Not your average remodel: The kitchen in Trevor and Kelly’s 1920s bungalow serves as a cannery, brewery, greenhouse, art studio and chicken coop. With a full vegetable garden and four chickens in their backyard, they need even more space. With their needs in mind, contractor James Young turns their outdated kitchen into a functional, stylish space using cutting-edge products such as a built-in compost system and a built-in beer tap. Can he turn it into a space they’ll love? “I Hate My Kitchen” airs at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Send news and photos to The News & Observer, P.O. Box 191, Raleigh, N.C. 27602; email topdrawer@newsobserver.com