Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween and Annual Pumpkin Carve

OMG, it's Halloween.  Sort of doesn't feel like Halloween since i had to put away all my outdoor decorations so Sandy didn't destroy them.  There's also a sense of "is Halloween still on?" that everyone's feeling.  Down the shore, where we vacation every summer and have family with property, it's clearly cancelled.  And it's extremely sad and disheartening, the damage shown, but luckily we all fared ok.  Thank goodness.

Before the storm hit, we were able to enjoy our favorite of Halloween traditions, the Great Pumpkin Carve in Chadds Ford.  This year we had a new plan of attack and that plan was geared to avoid car traffic and people traffic.  Granted, the ambiance was lacking a little bit since it was just 5pm and not yet dark, but my nerves were much less frazzled, and S's nerves were much less annoyed by my usual repetitive mutterings about waiting in line when there shouldn't be a line.  (How can there be a line to look at pumpkins?  How can you say how long i need to stand in front of the same one?  I should be able to walk past the ones i'm not enthralled with, and go up and inspect the ones i am!  You don't attend a health fair or a craft show and stand in line!  You approach the tables you're interested in!  This is the same thing!)  Ahem.  I just had to get that off my chest, b/c i get super riled up thinking about it.

We both felt there were less pumpkins than in previous years, but it was still fun, the entrance fee goes to a good cause, and some of the creations were truly unique.  See for yourself!


Let's kick it off with the year so we can document it. This was a littler pumpkin lining the walkway, not one of the ones entered in the contest.  It's hard to tell i guess, but the other pumpkins are those huge ones, and are all locally grown.

Here's how they're all set up, so you can see how big they are, and you can see what i mean about standing in line (grr).


Haven't seen Despicable Me, but i was impressed with the shading and cut outs.


This shell won for Best Use of Pumpkin, and was truly an original idea.


This octopus was actually both of our favorites, and if we had been there on audience voting night, it would have gotten both our tickets.


Isn't this teapot cute?  Never seen that before.


An honorable mention, nevermore.


This felt very Twilight to me, the werewolfy one.


Most original?  Not so sure about that...what to do you think?


The details on the knuckles are crazy good.


Liked the use of pumpkin in this creepy cat.


Loved that the spider is carved out of leftover pumpkin, and S noticed there's a little bee in the web.  (Good. That's where all bees should be.)


Just thought this one was cute.  We all go gaga over pumpkin flavored drinks, and wish they came in a mug that size.


This won Carvers Choice, which is voted by the other carvers....

 
....as opposed to Best Carving which is chosen by the judges.  I don't even know what this is.  I see a Cowboy, but then i see a cowboy boot with spurs...wait, is it a witch?  Is it a witch wearing mittens? I also see Louisiana...or is there secret flame lettering?  Maybe you can't go by me.




Did you have a favorite? Check out the carvings from Octobers past.  And once again, Happy Halloween!

Find me here: before and after party @ thrifty decor chick, you're gonna love it @ kathe with an e, diy showoff, debbie doos, krafty kat, Craftomaniac, Motivate Me Mon @ Keeping it Simple Met Monday, Anything Goes, home stories a-z, Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, be inspired @ elizabeth and co, lil luna, get your craft on, sugar bee crafts. sugar and spice @ 733, wow us weds @ savvy southern style, wicked awesome weds @ handy man, crafty woman, whatever goes weds @ someday crafts, 52 mantles, fall into fall, Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Creek Cottage, vintage thingy thurs @ the colorado lady, Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple, hooking up @ house of hepworths, open house @ no minimalist here, share awesomeness @ 36th ave, Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring, Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest, feature yourself fri @ Fingerprints on the fridge, Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity now, Catch as Catch Can @ My Repurposed life, free for all @ 5days5ways, Feathered Nest @ French Country Cottage, my romantic home, , frugalicious friday @ finding fabulous, potpourri @ 2805, thrifty things fri @ the thrifty groove, refresh your nest @ making lemonade, show and tell fri @ my romantic home, shaken together.

20 comments:

Sorella Style said...

Oh my gosh this looks absolutely amazing!!!! Fall is my favorite - trying to find ways to "feel" it here in Southern California is challenging - especially this first fall we are spending in this new home! I love all these - thank you for bringing a little fall into my home!!!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh what fun! I think my favorites are the shell and the octopus!

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

WOW. That's about all I can say. I can't even believe how much talent and patience it must take to make any of those pumpkins. How fun to be able to walk around (without the crowd) and take it all in. I had to really look to figure out the snake head pumpkin.

Brandi said...

Wow! Those pumpkins are really neat. Talented carvers!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

...or a wave? or a mermaid tale? That is a weird one! I like the Cat (of course) and the Octopus was very good also. I am so glad you went again this year and shared with us. I am all about missing the crowds!

hugs, Linda

Lisa said...

These are really cool! I haven't seen a pumpkin carving contest like this...I think we need more of them! We do have one at work and people always come up with some amazing ideas. Love it!

I'll have to see if someone took pics of them yesterday when they were displayed in the lobby.

Unknown said...

thanks for visiting! new follower!

Salmagundi said...

Halloween isn't a big deal around here, so I've never seen anything like these pumpkins. Amazing. Sally

Unknown said...

Looks like a bunch of fun, glad this all went on befor the storm! Wonderful talent!

Katalina Jewelry said...

Wowza! Those are some cool carvings!

misti said...

Thanks for stopping by! Definitely try that hot chocolate.

That Poe pumpkin is insane! My favorite one!

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

Thanks for posting these carved pumpkins. It was a treat. I liked the hand and knuckles too.

Andrea said...

wow! Never saw something like that!
Truly amazing!
Following you now too!

Andrea

MommyLisa said...

Crazy.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Amazing carving job... nothing like that at our house!

Designing Domesticity said...

Wowzers, those are some serious pumpkins and some seriously talented carvers. Thanks for sharing, liz

Vanessa said...

Those pumpkins are AMAZING! I can't choose a favorite. Maybe the poe one, that's spectacular and goes with the macabre elements of the season.

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

These are great!! Fun to see, Thanks for Sharing!

Debbiedoos said...

I have never seen so many cool carvings in one spot. Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

What an amazing collection of pumpkin carving! They are simply amazing! The designs are awesome and very detailed. Thanks for sharing!

Feel free to check out my own post about different pumpkin carving ideas to get more patterns. Cheers!