A Bear Holding A Shark Pumpkin Carving

Started: October 30, 2007
Finished: October 30, 2007
Made For: my family
Pattern: free from Homestar Runner
Materials: medium pumpkin, pattern, toothpicks
Tools: awl, carving knife, small detail knife
Cost: the cost of the pumpkin
Would I Do It Again? no...
Notes / Comments: i learned a lot about pumpkin carving using this pattern, such as what looks great on paper doesn't always work out on the actual pumpkin... you have to pay close attention to how close some of the cut edges are together because if they're too thin the pumpkin may break, as mine did... thanks to a little patience and a few toothpicks (note the bear's paws and the shark's mouth), i was able to salvage it for Halloween night, but it collapsed the next day... i think i'll try one of the other Homestar characters next year...

Jack Skellington Pumpkin Carving

Started: October 28, 2007
Finished: October 28, 2007
Made For: my family
Pattern: Zombie Pumpkins
Materials: medium pumpkin, pattern, LED candles
Tools: awl, carving knife, small detail knife, linoleum cutter
Cost: $5 for the membership to Zombie Pumpkins, plus the cost of the pumpkin
Would I Do It Again? definitely...
Notes / Comments: i really like how this one turned out... it was my first time using the linoleum cutter to carve... i like the overall look, but it took a long time to get down to a depth where the light would shine through enough... i had to use LED candles as regular ones did get enough oxygen to stay lit (and i was too lazy to cut a hole to let more air in... my main complaint was that it got stolen shortly after Halloween... boo-urns!

Starry Night Pumpkin Carving

Started: October 7, 2007
Finished: October 7, 2007
Made For: my family
Pattern: free from Pumpkin Masters
Materials: medium pumpkin, pattern
Tools: awl, carving knife, small detail knife
Cost: the cost of the pumpkin
Would I Do It Again? probably not...
Notes / Comments: it turned out well for my first attempt, but i intend to be more ambitious with my next pumpkin carving projects...