Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Pumpkin Carving!

Hey guys!

Today we're talking pumpkin carving! While there are lots of wonderful things happening in the fall, pumpkin carving is one of my favorites! It's seriously so much fun. Particularly when you've grown up with a ridiculously good pumpkin carver. No joke, my dad (who is pictured above and I feel I look very much like now that I've dyed my hair...), carves the best pumpkins!
You can see some of my dad's amazing creations from years past in the photo above. There's a troll doll pumpkin, a bat (!!!), and Ross Perot (obviously carved in '92!). So good! I remember that when I was growing up his work had a pumpkin carving contest every year, and every year he entered, he won! I mean, he carved a Ross Perot pumpkin during the '92 election season, how could he not?

I had a lot of fun digging through photos when I was over at my parents' house and have some Halloween gems of yours truly to share at another time. But for now, we're talking pumpkins!
Tootsie Pops help with the design process, obviously! :)
Yes, my dad is using woodworking tools to create depth to the hair he's making for his pumpkin. I want to make fun of him for this, but I can't. It's too cool!
My dad and I started things off by picking out our pumpkins and buying (and eating) some very necessary halloween candy. For the record, we got three pumpkins in order to carve two. You gotta get an extra for parts! Oh, the things you learn growing up with a dad who carves amazing pumpkins.

While we worked on carving, I asked my dad what his top 5 favorite tips were for pumpkin carving, so I could share some of his expertise with you guys! Here they are:

1. Choose a pumpkin with a shape that works well for your design!
2. Buy an extra pumpkin for extra parts. Use your imagination and be creative with this! You could make ears, a tongue, hair, batwings, you name it out of that extra pumpkin! You should also grab some toothpicks for attaching said parts.
3. Use a fine-tipped, water-soluble marker in orange or red to draw your design. This way you won't stain the pumpkin and can wash off your design and start over if necessary.
4. Taper your cuts towards the inside of the pumpkin so they show less pulp. This will help you get a crisp design.
5. Use a narrow knife to clean things up. This and the previous tip really help your design pop!
My biggest tip would be, be creative! When I was looking through the pictures I realized that I've carved a cat pumpkin almost every year of my life. Such a nerd! But ya know what? Totally worth it. All those years of cat pumpkin practice have produced this gem. Look how fat it is!!!!
I had a total blast carving pumpkins with my dad, and I hope this post inspires you to get creative with your pumpkin carving this season!

Til next time!

-Becca
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51 comments:

  1. I've never carved a pumpkin before, since Halloween isn't such a big holiday in Australia, but your post really makes me want to give it a try! ^__^

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    1. Oh wow! Well, it's super fun, so I hope you get a chance to try it some day!

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  2. These pumpkins are so cute! I love them! How creative!

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  3. your dad is no joke - his creations are seriously amazing. I might try one of these! xx Alecia

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    1. Haha, thanks, Alecia! He's pretty awesome!

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  4. this post totally made my week. i'm such a daddy's girl and i always carved pumpkins (usually with cats on them) with him as a kid. i LOVE that your pumpcat has ears and feet! you brilliant carver, you!

    xo nicole
    writeslikeagirlblog.com

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    1. Aw, I'm so glad! Oh my gosh, I love the word pumpcat so much I can't even tell you. I'm glad I'm not the only one carving cat pumpkins all the time!

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  5. LOVE this post, Becca, and all of the pictures of you and your dad! Both of you are incredibly gifted pumpkin carvers! Chip would like to know if you would carve a miniature schnauzer pumpkin, too!

    Love, Aunt Beth

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    1. Aw, thank you! A miniature schnauzer sounds adorably but rough (ha! Get it?) to carve. I'll keep it mind for next year for sure!

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  6. aww, one of my favorite posts to date! I'm totally cracking up over the Ross Perot pumpkin - how did I not know about this? Remind me to tell you a story about that election and all of the uncles. ;-)

    Pumpkins just hit the Montreal farmer's market, and I can't wait to bring some home!

    I think you and your dad would dig these designs too:
    http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.ca/2013/09/lace-inspired-pumpkins.html

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    1. Aw, thank you! Isn't it the best? I'd love to hear this election and uncles story! Those are super pretty!

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  7. So fun! The kitty is adorable <3 Alex

    tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.com

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  8. This is so cute. Your dad is the pumpkin carving king!

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    1. Haha thanks! He should probably carve himself a pumpkin crown to wear every year ; )

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  9. Wow these turned out so good! I love the idea of getting an extra for part, I would have never thought of that! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
    xo Hannah

    http://thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com
    http://thebraidedbandit.etsy.com

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    1. Thank you! It's definitely worth it. I hope your day is wonderful as well!

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  10. your dad is a good looking fellow. just saying :)

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    1. Haha! I'm sure he'll be flattered to hear that!

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  11. Wooow, they look absolutely incredible! Your dad just IS the best pumpkin carver! I love the way he did that hair, it looks amazing! Pumpkin carving is an art in itself.
    You and your dad look very much alike. I love this post :)

    Sofie x
    http://littlegreensofie.blogspot.be/

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    1. Thank you, Sofie! Isn't that hair amazing? I'm so glad you liked this post. It was super fun to put together!

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  12. This is adorable! Love that you have this tradition with your dad! And gosh, you guys are pros! That one with the fire-y hair and the cat! I love it! Can't wait for Halloween!

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    1. Aw, thank you! It's definitely fun. Halloween is the best.

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  13. Aww! If my family had celebrated Halloween while I was growing up I probably would have carved a cat pumpkin every year myself! Too cute.

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  14. I have never carved a pumpkin in my life I think its a lovely family tradition and you are both very talented!

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    1. I can't imagine! I have carved them for as long as I can remember. Maybe you'll get to try it someday!

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  15. Aww, these are nice. How long do these last before they go bad?
    You've got your dad's smile. :D

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    1. Oh golly, it depends on the weather. These will probably start to get into sad shape right around halloween, but hopefully they'll last a little longer!

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  16. I came home from a trip yesterday to find these incredibly cool and creative pumpkins on the porch! Dad's definitely a pumpkin carving pro and the "hair" on this one is something else. That spider, however, is downright creepy! I LOVE your kitty pumpkin (or "pumpcat" as Nicole so cleverly described it!) and think it's your very best yet! I have so many sweet memories of carving pumpkins together and of you and your sister dressing up for Halloween..... XOXO

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    1. Isn't the hair too much? I couldn't picture it when you described it, but it turned out really cool! Carving pumpkins is the best! Thanks, little mother!

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  17. omg these are such cute pumpkins!! way better than anything i've ever done. love the tops on them!! genius!

    xoxo Sarah (xlicious girl)
    Japanese Gyaru Makeup Blog
    Enter My $75 Halloween Costume Giveaway (Ends 10/10, worldwide ok)

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    1. Thank you so much! That extra pumpkin for parts makes all the difference!

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  18. oh my, a kitty! i love what you made! i can't wait to crave pumpkins now, i usually just do a silly face or something. this year i must create an animal as well!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope you'll blog about whatever you make so I can check it out!

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  19. great job you two!

    p.s. you guys are adorable.

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  20. Those are some awesome pumpkins! I love pumpkin carving too, it's one of the best things about October. I love your cat pumpkin, he's super cute, and I'd love to know how to make the bat :) xx

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    1. Thank you! Pumpkin carving is the best. I'd love to know how to make it, too! I think he just painstakingly carved a pumpkin into wings!

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  21. love this! you and your dad are so cute! I always used to carve pumpkins for Halloween, but I don't think they really sell them where I'm living now :/

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    1. Aw, thank you! I hope you can hunt some down. It's so fun!

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  22. These are so cute Becca! Specially the kitty-shaped one, I love it! Your dad and you are such a great team ♥

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    1. Thanks, Irela! I learned from the best of 'em!

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  23. Your pumpkins came out so great! Very creative :)
    Amia
    www.teapotsandbelles.blogspot.com

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  24. that's some amazing pumpkin carving! i can't wait until we do ours :)

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  25. hey becca, looks cool ! i'm dying to make some myself, but i still havent found THE ones
    alex xx

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    1. Thank you! I hope you find some perfect pumpkins soon!

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  26. I'm glad you liked them! I'm thrilled to have you share this post with your Pinterest followers!

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  27. Awww such an adorable FURRRRRRRIEND pUMPKIN! I love it and it looks like it's easy to make. The kids would surely love to make that this halloween. Thanks for sharing your pumpkin carving ideas, they surely help out!

    Regards

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