Thursday, October 30, 2008

Doin' Some Carvin'

The goal of Monday's night was to actually carve the pumpkins we got, but we (blessedly) ran out of time. We realized just how glad we were about this when we proceeded to carve the pumpkins with Michele and kids - and our kids, as well as Tanner (whose parents were a bit late due to their daughter's volleyball tourney). The ratio was two kids to one adult and even with that much attention, we were still being called to help every which way. I can't imagine how hard it would have been particularly with the younger girls... If we ever do that in the future, we'll have to employ all of the great college students we've befriended so that everyone has a carving buddy...

Still, we were able to get that "seasonal chore" out of the way, and get some more great pictures. Dad bought us a "power carver" that doesn't do such a hot job cutting all the way through the pumpkin, but carves the surface beautifully. (It's perfect for creating your design, and then using the mini-saw to cut it out). I may just find myself doing a little bit of etching - JUST FOR FUN - with the remaining pumpkins we have out front because that aspect of the carving adventure was quite fun! Thanks Dad!





6 comments:

HollieHobbie said...

Look at those pumpkins! They certainly could give my friend, Martha, a run for her money! They are awesome!
Thank-you for the Monster Mouths how-to! I printed it off and hope that it will work out in our class party tomorrow.
You make Autumn seem like such a fun time of year. I am glad you embrace it so much and then pass it on to us! My Matthew Mead and Stephanie Riley inspirations are going to have to wait another year.
Oh and part of the reason that I didn't have a party was "I didn't know where to have it" In the house? Outside? And I didn't know how to have it in the garage. But what a great idea to use black tablecloths as a background!
Thanks for all the inspirations!

StephieAnne said...

I forgot to give credit to each child for their pumpkin designs - the cat was Mikayla's, the bat was Nati's, the smiley face was Brayden/Daddy's, the spider was Tanner's, the vampire was Traig's, and the TRICK OR TREAT was Ellie's....

And, thanks again, Hollie!!!

Anonymous said...

chele said...
I'd like to take just a moment and boast on the EXCEPTIONAL spelling, handwriting, and artistic skills of my kindergarten daughter (ellie). Amazing. Seriously - thank-you so much Aunt Stephie for the help in carving such fun pumpkins (especially Ellie's) = more great memories!

Anonymous said...

Those pumpkins are awesome. The only kind of pumpkin carving I can manage is the triangle nose and snaggle tooth mouth. I'm hoping my daughter will be able to overcome that when she is big enough to do a pumpkin.

Growin' With It said...

wow, what artists and i wanna know who did the "trick or treat" one...how in the world did you get these so perfect?!

StephieAnne said...

Templates, folks! Included in those Walmart carving kits. And, well, actually, to give myself a little credit - I eyeballed the "Trick or Treat" one using Dad's power carver. Really, that part was a lot of fun! It's the sawing it out that takes all of the work....

(And, just so you know, Brayden's was supposed to say "Happy Halloween" but that was way too much cutting out for John and him - so there you go, Happy Smiley Silly Face instead)