Carving A Pumpkin ~~ A Pumpkin's Journey

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 12 people | Log in to rate

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From The Patch To The Porch...

So, Squidoo did something odd for a website -- it actually coaxed me away from my keyboard. Yes, it's true! I was pulled away from the computer because I was compelled to get pumpkins of my own that I could take knife and creativity to and see what would evolve.

Now, understand that I'm not going to quit my day job (or my second job...) over this, but I'm pretty darn skippy proud of my creations. And, oh my, the fun we had that night was worth it all.

So, you wanna see what we made, and how you can make them too? Then read on.

Tell Me What A Jack-o'-lantern Is? 

A jack-o'-lantern (sometimes also spelled Jack O'Lantern) is typically a carved pumpkin. It is associated chiefly with the holiday Halloween, and was named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs, called ignis fatuus or jack-o'-lantern. In a jack-o'-lantern, typically the top is cut off, and the inside flesh then scooped out; an image, usually a monstrous face, is carved onto the outside surface, and the lid replaced. At night a light (commonly a candle) is placed inside to illuminate the effect. The term is not particularly common outside North America, although the practice of carving lanterns for Halloween is.

(...from Wikipedia)

From The Patch To The Porch & Why I Decided To Try 

I haven't carved a pumpkin for Halloween in more years than I will admit. So, why was this year different? Why did I decide to take knife to gourd and be artistic? Well, there were several reasons, not the least of which the fact that I was sponsoring a contest for awesome SquidBOO! lenses telling individual lensmaster's stories about their own Halloween. I figure I shouldn't ask others to do something I wasn't ready to do. Plus, when I mentioned the idea of carving up pumpkins and also baking the seeds, my niece was all over the idea. So, a day was picked, the plans were set, and the rest, as they say, is history, captured here for you.

Remember To Cover Your Table

How Are We Supposed To Do This? 

We had 4 people, 5 pumpkins, a handful of gourds and some good music playing. If you haven't tried this in awhile, I highly recommend it as a great way to spend an evening. But, be warned, only do this if you want to have fun!!

This Kit Was Very Helpful 

Yes, I Bought A Kit...And Read A Book.

Pumpkin Masters Family Carving Kit

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The Secret Is The Tools 

I couldn't just pick a pumpkin and start hacking. Of course, I had to read about it first. I found out some great tips (when you cut your lid, be sure to angle the edge so it has a lip to rest on, for instance), and tricks (use a template - this was my favorite I think, I loved the templates), and carving ideas. The carving tools I bought came with templates, and I found some others on line.

Pumpkin Carving Tool Kits 

Pumpkin Masters Family Carving Kit

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List Price: $9.99
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Pumpkin Masters Pumpkin Carving Kit with 16 Patterns & Tools

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Pumpkin Masters Kids Pumpkin Carving Kit with 4 Patterns, Tools, Gloves

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List Price: $6.99
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14-Piece Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit with 10 Pop-Out Stencils and Tools

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Really Fast Pumpkin Carving 

My pumpkin carving was definitley not this fast...or this easy.

This is a fun video, even though it's time lapse, the carver obviously knows what they are doing. It's a well spent minute and a half if you watch it.

speed pumpking carving

Time lapse progression of carving a pumpkin

powered by YouTube

Hauntingly Good Pumpkin Carving Books 

If you're like me, then this is the section for you! I love reading about things - why they're done, how they're done, and how to do them better. Check out these handy books for great ideas and tips.

Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors

Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now
Used Price: $0.01

Pumpkin Carving

Amazon Price: $4.63 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now
Used Price: $3.74

The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing/Cooking/Carving

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now
Used Price: $4.00

Great Pumpkins: Crafty Carvings for Halloween

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now
Used Price: $0.01

Pumpkin Carving

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Used Price: $2.38

Don't Run With Scissors (Or Knives...)

Jack-o-'Lanterns From All Over 

Jack-O-Lighting by GregLal

Jack-o-lantern 2005 by blue67pony

pumpkinface by minipixel

smiley jack-o-lantern by innusa

Happy Halloween!  (Print available on damgaardphotography.com) by Damgaard, (TheObsessivePhotographer.com)

Last year's Oogie Boogie by FuzzyDicePHL

And ~~ The Finished Products 

I Would Love To Have One Of These! 

Seriously -- a dremel just for pumpkin carving? How sweet is that!!

So, What Is A Pumpkin Anyway?? 

A pumpkin is a gourd-like squash of the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae (which also includes gourds). The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for "large melon." The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pompion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, "pumpkin." The origin of pumpkins is not known, although pumpkins are thought to have originated in North America. The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 B.C., were found in Mexico. Pumpkins are a squash-like fruit that range in size (less than 1 pound (0.45 kilograms) to over 1,000 pounds (453.59 kilograms)), shape, color, and appearance (smooth or ribbed).

(...from Wikipedia)

 

My Little Pumpkin Patch Guest Book 

So, what do you think? Do I have a future in pumpkin carving? Have you made a jack-o'-lantern lately? How was your experience?

Leave me a note and let me know what you think, or give me some suggestions, or just say hi.

And - thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Halloween!!




milkcananime wrote...

I always LOVE lights! However my country do not adopt this pumpkin Halloween culture..would love to try to carve one if given a chance.. :) 5 stars for u!

ReplyPosted January 02, 2009

Jewelsofawe wrote...

awesome pumpkins. I love the personal touch you added to this lens showing us your pumpkin carving journey. I will use this lens when I do carve my pumpkin.

ReplyPosted October 24, 2008

dewittsenior wrote...

For parents (and Grandparents) this lens could easily be titled "Pumpkin Carving 101". It is a jumping off point for all the info needed to get started. Booked marked it for later. Thanks for your effort.

ReplyPosted October 24, 2008

aj2008 wrote...

Another great Halloween lens. I definitely prefer pumpkin carving to Trick or Treating.

ReplyPosted October 23, 2008

KimberlyDawnWells wrote...

Cute! My boyfriend and his kids and I all carved pumpkins. I need to get photos before it freezes again! I have three tiny pumpkins I want to carve or shave. Trying to find patterns for little pumpkins. :)

ReplyPosted October 21, 2008

 
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