Grow Your Own Magazine

OllieMartin · #1 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 07:53 PM

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 · #2 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 09:20 PM

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 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:27 AM

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

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

Nicos · #4 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:45 AM

OMG!!!!!!

( I think I'll eat mine

)

HeyWayne · #5 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:47 AM

Wow!

Wow!

OllieMartin · #6 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:50 AM

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 · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 11:55 AM

Gawd - time to flex my craft knife I think.

Flummery · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:11 PM

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

HeyWayne · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:33 PM

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 · #10 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #11 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 02:51 PM

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 · #12 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsC

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

You carving outside too then Mrs?

Brengirl · #13 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicos

OMG!!!!!!

( I think I'll eat mine

)

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

lettucegrow! · #14 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 04:46 PM

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 · #15 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 04:53 PM

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!

janeyo · #16 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 04:57 PM

last year's effort. not done 2009 yet!

You have to keep it simple when 2 small children are helping!

janeyo · #17 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 05:03 PM

And the year before...

andi&di · #18 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 08:10 PM

Crikey Charlie!!!

I might take a back seat on this one!

Nicos · #19 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brengirl

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

Of course you can!!!!...

http://itsallfreeonline.com/wp-conte...ng-pumpkin.JPG

but ..be warned....

..don't eat too many!!!!

http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/u...20pumpkin.jpeg

binley100 · #20 (**permalink**) 27-10-2009, 10:13 PM

I'm putting my coat on as we speak......

MrsC · #21 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeyWayne

You carving outside too then Mrs?

Lol, don't know what I'm doing really, but I'll have a go!

Pumpkin Becki · #22 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllieMartin

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.

1) As Head of Sales and Marketing, can I just say I'm v. dissapointed that you didn't use a Dremel Ollie!!

2) Oh wow!! These are all amazing, I was going to have a go myself, but I'm having serious second thoughts now!! Superb work gang

OllieMartin · #23 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Becki

1) As Head of Sales and Marketing, can I just say I'm v. dissapointed that you didn't use a Dremel Ollie!!

2) Oh wow!! These are all amazing, I was going to have a go myself, but I'm having serious second thoughts now!! Superb work gang

1) The research department is currently working on the 'Dremel Pumpkin Carver'. It comes with blades for cutting teeth, eyes and noses. and a special 'lobotomy' attachmend for cutting the top off and scooping the insides out.
I'll need you to start working on the marketing campaign!

2) I think with a name like 'Pumpkin Becki' you owe it to yourself to post one.

Pumpkin Becki · #24 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllieMartin

1) The research department is currently working on the 'Dremel Pumpkin Carver'. It comes with blades for cutting teeth, eyes and noses. and a special 'lobotomy' attachmend for cutting the top off and scooping the insides out.
I'll need you to start working on the marketing campaign!

2) I think with a name like 'Pumpkin Becki' you owe it to yourself to post one.

1) Ohh, the 'lobotomy' attachment sounds great, I'll start brainstorming for some punchy catchphrases to really get the masses drooling.

2) We'll see

Nicos · #25 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:16 AM

Hey up....look at this!!!!....

Pumpkin Carving and Pumpkin Carving Patterns for Halloween

OllieMartin · #26 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicos

Hey up....look at this!!!!....

Pumpkin Carving and Pumpkin Carving Patterns for Halloween

Looks like Dremel may have some competition!

Nicos · #27 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllieMartin

Looks like Dremel may have some competition!

Yup- get your patents ready!!!

Pumpkin Becki · #28 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllieMartin

Looks like Dremel may have some competition!

Right

!! Action stations team, we'll need a full board meeting, with a bevvy of very expensive lawyers, plus pricings for a natty little toolkit box...where's Purchasing when you need them?

OllieMartin · #29 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Becki

Right

!! Action stations team, we'll need a full board meeting, with a bevvy of very expensive lawyers, plus pricings for a natty little toolkit box...where's Purchasing when you need them?

Unfortunately the board meeting will only be me, you, and our heads of Poetry and Interrobangs. There could have been a deputy head of 'Word of the Day' Lexicography, but no-one wanted the job.

Nicos · #30 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Becki

full board meeting, with a bevvy of very expensive lawyers,

I know an expensive lawyer!!!!

Pumpkin Becki · #31 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OllieMartin

Unfortunately the board meeting will only be me, you, and our heads of Poetry and Interrobangs. There could have been a deputy head of 'Word of the Day' Lexicography, but no-one wanted the job.

Then I'm going to put in a purchase req. for Nicos' v. expensive lawyer. I don't want this thing spiralling out of control.