Pumpkin Carving Tips

[Guest]

[Sharon]

Well as we have a topic on pumpkin patterns, I was hoping some Shackers could pass on their tips for successful pumpkin carving.  I have tried a couple of times and they have all been a huge disaster.  I think it could be because I don't scrape enough out but any tips would be very welcome 

[kbmum]

Here are a few sites that cover the basics.

http://www.pumpkincarving101.com/

http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/carving_tips.asp

http://wls.wwco.com/garden/pumpkin.html

[Sharon]

Thanks Cindy 

[kbmum]

Here's another site that has really good stencils and carving tips for both pumpkins and watermelons.  Who says all that carving fun can be had only for Halloween!

http://www.zombiepumpkins.com/

[Sharon]

Well I now know all the things I was doing wrong  .  Mainly this was picking a pattern that was too darn hard for me - all the ones I like seem to involve peeling bits so there are shadows.  But I am sure there is a nice simple pumpkin out there that has my name written all over it.  Ooops there I go again, picking hard patterns 

[kbmum]

A friend sent me an email about pumpkins and I just had to share some of the pictures.   Sharon, I thought of you when I saw the hamburger pumpkin.  It's super easy, looks great, and it's very funny!

[Bitsy]

Those are amazing pumpkins!    Love the hamburger--makes me hungry for a Big Mac!    I think my big plastic pumpkin is a little jealous. 

[Sharon]

Sorry Cindy I only just saw this.  Those pumpkins are amazing  but trust me, even the hamburger would be hard for me  .  Plus my plans for pumpkin carving world domination hit a major snag today - no large pumpkins  .  Poor dad was head first in a huge container of weedy little orange blobs (they were too small to warrant the title of pumpkin).  I would have volunteered to have raked them over but I have hurt my neck, well that was my excuse  .

He did find one that looked carvable but the design was still too big so I have scanned and shrunk it to fit the pumpkin.  I will have the smallest pirates flag this side of the Caribbean .  But at least I am well prepared.  I have three hack saw blades, a bunch of cocktail sticks, a tub of Vaseline and a rather sorry looking pumpkin carving set from Asda.  Wish me luck for Sunday, it is me versus the pumpkin and only one of us is coming out intact - my money is on the pumpkin 

[Morningangel-Iola]

I have this great picture of you all 'tool up' now to attack the pumkin, don't let it win If it all goes wrong just claim its from that 'well known (made up)' film pumpkin masacra

[kbmum]

Wish me luck for Sunday, it is me versus the pumpkin and only one of us is coming out intact - my money is on the pumpkin 

   I'm going to start carving on Sunday, so I'll be thinking of you!  Please ask Bogleg to take some pictures of the big event.

[Sharon]

Well he is all carved but I am having terrible problems with the size of the pictures - in Photobucket they are both 500ish square but, well, you can see the trouble I am having so sorry for the huge size.

Never the less this is the unlit pumpkin with my wobbly headed Jack 



And this is the lit pumpkin 



Many thanks to Cindy and everyone else for their tips and hints 

[mcgonagall]

that is a brilliant pumpkin you did a fantastic job

[Anna]

Wish me luck for Sunday, it is me versus the pumpkin and only one of us is coming out intact - my money is on the pumpkin 

You did a great job on the pumpkin Sharon!   You would have lost the bet.

[Sharon]

Thank you  .  I have to say I am quite chuffed  . 

[kbmum]

You should be!  That looks great!  I just finished carving Super Mario.  Sleeping Beauty is up next, but I'm having a problem because the pumpkin is too small for the pattern.  I've reduced the pattern and now the lines I have to cut are very thin.  I'm still going to try it, but I might have to run out tomorrow to find another pumpkin.

[Morningangel-Iola]

Thats brilliant sharon well done

[sketchqueen]

I can't carve - so I painted my pumpkin to look like a pig little pink curly tail and all. Now I just need to craft some ears for the poor dear and I'll be done

[Sharon]

I can't carve - so I painted my pumpkin to look like a pig little pink curly tail and all. Now I just need to craft some ears for the poor dear and I'll be done

Can we see some pictures please 

[sketchqueen]

*lol* I'm really NO artist, but as soon as I get the ears done, I'll snap a photo *lol* But PLEASE be sitting when you view it   I was very lucky my 3 year old could identify it - my 8 year old crinkled his nose and asked "What's that?"

[Bitsy]

WOW, Sharon! I LOVE YOUR PUMPKIN CARVING!!!!!      It's amazing! I could never do that!