http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333 It's October and it only seems fitting that an arts and crafts blog include a bit about that glorious gourd, that sensational squash, that omega of orange vegetables: the pumpkin. Pumpkin carving is just something you have to do at this time of the year. At least, if you're a holiday addict like me. It's kind of like those candy hearts that come out at Valentine's Day. I don't necessarily love them or crave them, but they're a seasonal necessity. There's obviously a variety of ways to carve a jack-o-lantern. Some people opt for the pre-designed patterns you can purchase from the stores and some prefer free-hand. I've used the patterns for the past couple of years and have really liked the outcomes, but I think I'm going to tap into my creative side this time around and see what happens. My jack-o-lanterns, unfortunately, usually aren't that creative. But check out the YouTube video I've posted. Some people really go all out. The second video offers a different way to carve that makes the pumpkin last a lot longer. (I've never tried it, but that's what he says in the video.) It's a little cheesy but the overarching idea is great. Or you can opt for this no-candle, mess-free online way to carve. Anyway, happy carving! It's October and it only seems fitting that an arts and crafts blog include a bit about that glorious gourd, that sensational squash, that omega of orange vegetables: the pumpkin. Pumpkin carving is just something you have to do at this time of the year. At least, if you're a holiday addict like me. It's kind of like those candy hearts that come out at Valentine's Day. I don't necessarily love them or crave them, but they're a seasonal necessity. There's obviously a variety of ways to carve a jack-o-lantern. Some people opt for the pre-designed patterns you can purchase from the stores and some prefer free-hand. I've used the patterns for the past couple of years and have really liked the outcomes, but I think I'm going to tap into my creative side this time around and see what happens. My jack-o-lanterns, unfortunately, usually aren't that creative. But check out the YouTube video I've posted. Some people really go all out. The second video offers a different way to carve that makes the pumpkin last a lot longer. (I've never tried it, but that's what he says in the video.) It's a little cheesy but the overarching idea is great. Or you can opt for this no-candle, mess-free online way to carve. Anyway, happy carving! en-us I wanna see the exploding pumpkin example!!! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20076 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20076 I wanna see the exploding pumpkin example!!! Haha you've got it - I'll dig it up and post that tomorrow. :) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20089 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20089 Haha you've got it - I'll dig it up and post that tomorrow. :) Thanks for writing this and showing us some great pumpkin carvings.  I added the youtube one to my myspace account.  Thanks again. Susan http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20191 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AllisonMiles/5333/#c_20191 Thanks for writing this and showing us some great pumpkin carvings.  I added the youtube one to my myspace account.  Thanks again. Susan