The Hallowe'en '09Pumpkin Carving Competition (Which isn't a competition)

[OllieMartin]

Following on from previous discussion, I've carved my entry to the non-competitive pumpkin carving competition (the kind of competition where everyone is a winner)

I've never put so much effort into carving a pumpkin (especially with 2 hours of cosmetic dental work!) Hope you enjoy. Looking forward to seeing other entries.

[SMT]

Hehe I like that one Ollie!

Heres one I did on a spellbound pumpkin 3 weeks ago.

I'll try an see whether I can carve my giants aswell!

[OverWyreGrower]

Howl-oween!

Here is my effort... ('scuse the rubbish photos)

P.S. They are Boxer dogs....

[Nicos]

OMG!!!!!!

( I think I'll eat mine)

[HeyWayne]

Wow!

Wow!

[OllieMartin]

I'm so impressed with the standard (and I unashamedly include myself in that). I thought we'd end up with the standard triangluar eyes and zig-zag mouths that I've done every time (not that there's anything wrong with that, that's what my mum has done and here's looks great). But these all look fantastic.

I used mine to loom over my poker match on Sunday to distract the other players. It 'almost' worked!

[zazen999]

Gawd - time to flex my craft knife I think.

[Flummery]

Some of you have simply not got enough to do!
They are all fantastic by the way!

[HeyWayne]

Ok, about to carve my first proper punkin over the next few days - what tools do I need?

I have a filling my chef's knife's going to be woefully innadequate - especially given the company.

[OllieMartin]

Ok, about to carve my first proper punkin over the next few days - what tools do I need?

I have a filling my chef's knife's going to be woefully innadequate - especially given the company.

I used a small kitchen knife, a zester (takes a thin strip out of the skin to reveal the flesh underneath) and a 16mm drill bit!!

I'd advise getting a very thin blade, even a thin saw. A big flat blade is difficult to turn around bends and restricts you to cutting straight chunks out.

Personally I designed mine with a whiteboard marker first, that way you can rub out mistakes without leaving any marks.

[MrsC]

Well, I was going to enter, but seeing the standards I might get my coat! Carving ours on Thursday so will post a piccie or 2. They're fab!!!!!!

[HeyWayne]

Well, I was going to enter, but seeing the standards I might get my coat!

You carving outside too then Mrs?

[Brengirl]

OMG!!!!!!

( I think I'll eat mine)

Really!!.......I didn't know you could eat them as well.

[lettucegrow!]

I was going to do something along the traditional line of eyes mouth and nose! but I guess I'll have to think again! They 're all fantastic!

[janeyo]

I have always been rubbish at carving the pumpkins.. until last year I hit on some great tricks.

1) Find a piccie online of what you want to carve. There are zillions of them available.
2) Print it off and use drawing pins to attach it to the pumpkin.
3) Draw round round design with a pensil or pen so that it 'dents' the face of the pumpkin.
4) Remove the paper and then use a pin or some such to prick out your design first.
)Then use one of those really long thin bladed knifes (paring knife? not sure what it's called) to gently cut the pumpkin a bit like 'join the dots'.

The ones on here are Fantastic!

The first year we attempted a really simple one of a simple face on the front, 4 holes either side which we put tubing into and made it look like a giant spider!