Pumpkin Fun

Project "Acquire a Real Pumpkin" was a critical success, thanks to John's quick thinking in detouring to a Winn Dixie (because Publix was closed) to find a certain cider (which they didn't have) and overall tolerance of my squealing like a toddler and insisting we get "this one, 'cuz it speaks to me." (I meant metaphorically.)

And now... [rubbing hands together] ...I'll just surf the 'net for a while to figure out what I'm going to carve.

Care to join me? :D

See, I have all these great links and photos that you guys have been sending in, and naturally I can't choose what I'm going to do until I explore ALL of them.

First, I should mention that Pumpkin Wizard has a great tutorial on how to turn a photograph into a pumpkin template. Although I don't really have a photo I want to carve, so... Next!

I can't remember who the first person was to send me the link to 100+ Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas, but naturally this was the one that caught my eye:

Although he's not technically carved. Heh.

Ok, Catherine in Nova Scotia officially has the coolest co-workers in the world. Just look at these pics she sent in:

The created their own pumpkin Sesame Street!

Again, not carved (well, mostly not carved) but I'm amazed at how much these look like the characters:


I think Gonzo is my favorite:

All he needs is a tiny squash Camilla-the-chicken.

And, naturally, Catherine and her cronies had to dress up to match their display:

EPIC, I tell you. EPIC.

Ok, getting back to the pumpkins...

Since I've never seen an intricate pumpkin carve in person, I love that Rachel H. sent me pics of her Beetlejuice design lit both ways:

How amazing is the difference when the lights go out?! So cool.


And I love the Jack Skellington that Barbara did:

She tells me you should carve him from a white pumpkin, too, for extra authenticity. Brilliant.

I also love Barbara's & Hope's suggestion to carve a hidden design on the back of the pumpkin, so there's a cool shadow on the wall behind it. Also brilliant.

Rissykay99's "Vampire Cupcake" is hilarious and adorable:


And here's an actual carved Stay Puft by Elise:

A strong contender for my pumpkin, this.

Not a pumpkin (yet), but Darla linked to this *amazing* Harry Potter template:

By Mike Laughead

I am seriously tempted to do this one.
(John is a contender for World's Biggest Potter Fan.)


Darla also linked me to this awesome Mario:

via Super Mario Games


Ruth found this greatness:

via GeekStir

Hint: That's no moon.

MasterpieceLost shared some sweet tips for partial depth cutting/carving, and shared this gooorgeous example that she made:

It looks like porcelain!
Wow. Yeah, I don't think my carves are going to be this good quite yet. :)

I'm also pretty sure nothing I carve will be *nearly* as sweet as the one Cyndi P.'s then-boyfriend carved for her:

D'awwwwww. I love it!

Oooh, and then there's an entire gallery of sci-fi pumpkins over on Flickr. Lots of goodies, but I think this Yoda by sage_82 is my favorite of the bunch:

Most excellent, this is.

A lot of you have recommended I carve the CW Carrot Jockey. I'm not sure I could ever beat Henry F.'s version from last year, though:

This makes me gleeful in ways I can't even describe.

Oh, and you know all those tricks to make a jack-o-lantern last, like Vaseline or bleach? Well, Gemma linked to a fantastic post where some guys tested them all, and then compared the results. Shockingly, doing nothing to the pumpkin actually tied with a special "Pumpkin Fresh" spray as most effective. Yay for laziness!

Stay tuned for updates on my impending pumpkin adventures. ("John? Where's the reciprocating saw?") Hee. Ahee. Hee.