Carving the Jack-o-Lanterns
a shameless self-promotion . . .
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*smile*
Tonight was one of our favourite times of the year - pumpkin carving! Every year many people comment on our pumpkins and how wonderful they are. This always makes me smile because we use the stencils available from Pumpkin Masters - how hard is it to trace a stencil, carve along the lines with the little saws provided, and sit back and allow the compliments to wash over you?
Once dinner was over we cleared off the kitchen table and covered it with newspaper. Paul brought the pumpkins inside and we were confronted with a challenge - something (likely a skunk or raccoon) had decided to gnaw on one of the pumpkins:
There was also a huge gash in the side - of course it was the perfect side for carving! We decided that we might be able to incorporate the gnawed bit in the pattern.
Next up? Slicing off the lid and scooping up the guts from inside the pumpkin. When we first started carving pumpkins someone (not ME) was actually afraid to get his hands into the 'insides'. As you can see from this pic, this particular affliction has been cured:
Once the inside was cleaned out we taped the stencil onto the pumpkin and marked on the cutting lines. The good folks at Pumpkin Masters have created a great new tool this year - a jagged roller wheel which actually marks off the cutting lines in far less time than we have used in the past. Thank you Pumpkin Masters!
Once the lines were marked off the stencil was removed and we used the handy dandy saws to carve out the pattern. The entire project took less than an hour!
Once we were finished it was time for the test run - we always turn off the kitchen lights to get a sense as to how they will look:
I think that Paul did a great job on the skull!
WoW! They look great! Fantastic work, Paul. Looks like I'll be out with the ghouls for Halloween. Enjoy the night!
Posted by:Rose | October 30, 2007 at 10:26 PM
They are wonderful! You make it sound easy, but they look very "professional".
Great Job!
Happy Halloween!
Posted by:Palma | October 31, 2007 at 12:46 AM
Rose - which is exactly where you should be!
Palma - isn't that the best thing about doing something creative - it looks great but isn't too difficult to do. If only more thnigs were like that!
Posted by:Jerry | October 31, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Great job, Jerry and Paul!
Hmmm . . . Pumpkin Masters, huh? I have never heard of them. Too late for this year, but I may have to look into that for next year!
Posted by:nancyhol | October 31, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Impressive jack o'lanterns guys!
I know what you mean about not wanting to stick your hand inside, same here. I feel the same way about the turkey, so DH does that part!
Happy Hallowe'en!
Posted by:chiaro di luna | October 31, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Nancy - we found the kits at Target when we were in Niagara Falls. They seemed to be everywhere! You can order them from the web site linked off of the blog.
June - I am with you on the turkey! ICK That has been a job for Paul for the past few years - although he doesn't know why that is 'his' job! *smile*
Happy Halloween to you as well!
Posted by:Jerry | October 31, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Fantastic pumpkins/lanterns!
I especially like the one on the left.
Will have to get some of these stencils and cutting tools for next year.
Posted by:Robert | October 31, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Thanks Robert - clearly you have impeccable taste in pumpkins (I carved that one! lol) The stencils from Pumpkin Master are inexpensive ($ 3 for 12 stencils and a set of tools) and easy to use. It took us about an hour from start to finish to carve these pumkins.
Posted by:Jerry | October 31, 2007 at 05:58 PM