Customer Reviews

Pumpkin Carving

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Palmer is a high school art teacher and he uses that experience to teach people how to carve some spectacular pumpkins in this book. Each of the pumpkin designs has a template you can cut out to use for the actual pumpkin carving, which makes it very easy to do, since you don't need a lot of artistic or pumpkin-carving talent to make it work. He also includes technical details on the procedures, such as the necessity of occasionally using a drill to get the smaller, more precise holes and cut- outs.

There are several dozen designs, many of them the traditional scary or smiling pumpkin faces, but others include a nicely done Thanksgiving turkey and, oddly enough, a fish. While I will probably never try any of these designs out myself, this looks like a good book to learn from if you want to get adventurous yourself, or if you've just always had the urge to go at a pumpkin with a rotary drill and a carving knife.

I was tired of the same old patterns circulating our friends' annual pumpkin-carving party. This book has over 30 pumpkin patterns (and finished photos). It also has 5 cantaloupe and watermelon patterns. The faces on the pumpkins have a lot of personality. This book has general instructions and tips for the beginner, and the patterns are for the beginner to the novice.

I really enjoyed this book, particularly for the ideas. There are so many different "personalities" of pumpkin faces represented, in addition to some abstract ones. I "freelance" my pumpkins and it was really helpful to see the specific cuts to create a particular effect. The patterns/templates coupled with the full-color images (with candles glowing inside) really helped me understand how to use relief more effectively to create the look I want.
Also includes patterns for 5 different melon bowls for special occasions.
My favorite is "Masque" which is simple, abstract, with flame like openings.
Also of note: Skull & Crossbones, Frankenstein, Crescent Moon, Gypsy, Batty Wings, Lion, Wildcat, and Wolf Man.
Highly recommended!