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
What Are Bloggers Saying About Carving Pumpkins?
let's see what's hot on Google
How Are We Supposed To Do This?
This Kit Was Very Helpful
Yes, I Bought A Kit...And Read A Book.
Pumpkin Masters Family Carving Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price:
Used Price:
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
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Used Price:
Pumpkin Masters Pumpkin Carving Kit with 16 Patterns & Tools
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $8.99
Used Price:
Pumpkin Masters Kids Pumpkin Carving Kit with 4 Patterns, Tools, Gloves
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $6.99
Used Price:
14-Piece Ultimate Pumpkin Carving Kit with 10 Pop-Out Stencils and Tools
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $6.99
Used Price:
Really Fast Pumpkin Carving
My pumpkin carving was definitley not this fast...or this easy.
Hauntingly Good Pumpkin Carving Books
Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
Pumpkin Carving
Amazon Price: $4.63 (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $3.74
The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing/Cooking/Carving
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $4.00
Great Pumpkins: Crafty Carvings for Halloween
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $0.01
Pumpkin Carving
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $2.38
Don't Run With Scissors (Or Knives...)
And ~~ The Finished Products
I Would Love To Have One Of These!
Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool and 10 Templates
Amazon Price: $16.26 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $44.20
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!
Posted 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.
Posted 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.
Posted October 24, 2008
aj2008 wrote...
Another great Halloween lens. I definitely prefer pumpkin carving to Trick or Treating.
Posted 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. :)
Posted October 21, 2008
by GypsyPirate
I'm a parrothead from the NorthCoast, ready to share my view on the world...
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