Pumpkin Carving

Where did the art of pumpkin carving begin anyway?  Lately, I have been on a pumpkin carving kick - it all started when I finally attended a good friend of mine's annual pumpkin carving party last week, and I have been hooked ever since!  And today, as I was considering what else to include in this post other than my new found love of this giant gourd, NPR's Science Friday with Ira Flatow featured a story on the art of pumpkin carving - it was a sign.

As you can see, the SciFri segment is more like an inspirational "how to" which really gives the best advice on pumpkin prepping, maintaining the pumpkin once it is carved, some creative ideas, etc.  After seeing the 2 1/2 minute video, I felt even more inspired to try some more adventurous designs (and hopefully will have some more luck with my detailing in the future).

Here are my first two attempts, both music album covers that I thought were challenging yet very appropriate for the fall/pumpkin season - for me, they were both a huge undertaking, as the last time I "carved" a pumpkin, I was 10 years old and my father wouldn't let me near the kitchen knives that he used to slice out the eyes, nose, and mouth of my Jack-O-Lantern.  But now, I was determined to finish both of these on my own (and for those of you who are familiar with the pieces that these pumpkins are based off of, I obviously took some artistic liberties since my pumpkin carving skills aren't quite up to par):

 

I'm proud of my pumpkins, and I have a feeling that as the season for this delightful art form remains with us only a little while longer, I will be sure to make a few more attempts in mastering the craft.  Thank you, Ira, for having the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers on your show today!