Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Family Pumpkin Carving Contest Results!

On Monday night, I got together with my family and we had our annual pumpkin carving contest. I posted photos of our pumpkins on Tuesday without revealing who carved which pumpkin. I asked for you to vote on your favorite design and opened the polls via my blog, Instagram, Facebook and good old-fashioned text messaging. 70 people sent in votes, and two pumpkins clearly took the lead. Here's who did each pumpkin:

Family Pumpkin Carving Contest

Stephen, my mom's boyfriend, did "the face," which was actually the end result of a bunch of different ideas that didn't end up working. Mom did the spider, Stewart did Van Gogh's Starry Night, Daniel carved the cactus landscape, and mine was the simple wraparound stars & polka dots.

So who won the Best Pumpkin award this year? STEWART! Congrats, buddy... you were the winner this year and I think we all can see why... his carving skills are immaculate.

The voting breakdown was as follows: 26 votes to Starry Night, 24 votes to the spider, 13 votes for the cactus landscape, 7 votes for the stars & polka dots, and sadly 0 votes for "the face." Thanks to everyone who voted!

Below you can find a little breakdown of how each pumpkin was created.

Carved Spider Pumpkin, Van Gogh Starry Night Carved Pumpkin

These two were the pumpkin favorites, that's for sure. Mom created her spider pumpkin by freehand drawing an outline of a spider and cutting it out. She then used a pumpkin engraving tool to freehand her web, shaving off little bits of the outside of the pumpkin at a time. After her web was finished, she added back in the cut-out spider for a popping 3-D effect. Her pumpkin was definitely the spookiest and most stand-out worthy of the bunch.

Stewart—whose pumpkin last time suffered an accidental slice that cut off half of his grim reaper design—knocked it out of the park with his pumpkin this year. He created his Starry Night design by freehanding from Van Gogh's Starry Night painting. We have a bunch of pumpkin artists in our family, I tell you what! We can't draw, but we sure can carve! He first drew an outline of the cypress tree and then carved out the moon with a knife. Once he had his base pieces set, he began engraving the pumpkin with an engraving tool, working really quickly because he had to get to Quidditch practice. He freehanded all the engraving, and just kept shaving off little bits at a time as he went. When he was satisfied with the engraving, he took a pumpkin hole punch tool (I have no idea where Stephen got it) and punched out his stars. Stew's pumpkin took less than an hour and he was the first one finished. High five dude, you killed it.

Cactus Carved Pumpkin, Star Wraparound Carved Pumpkin

Daniel's pumpkin—my favorite of the bunch—was a cactus landscape design, inspired by the childhood backyard he had growing up in Arizona. Daniel didn't base his design off a photo or anything he'd seen on Pinterest... he just sat down and started cutting the design, using a simple pumpkin carving toolkit carving saw. He freehanded the whole thing and didn't know how it was going to turn out until it was all finished. His design was simple and looked like a beautiful desert sunset... it was just awesome.

My pumpkin, the simple one of the bunch, was accomplished by using a small pumpkin carving saw and just freehanding little and big stars around the entire pumpkin. Once I had my stars cut out, I went back with a hole punching tool and just punched out random holes. While my pumpkin may not be extraordinary, I think if you had several pumpkins with wraparound designs, they would be so cool as fall-festive party decor.

And Stephen's pumpkin, "the face," was the conglomeration of many ideas that just didn't end up happening. Stephen initially punched out several holes in the top of the pumpkin and filled them with broccoli sprigs—we think he was going for hair—but he didn't like the look of it so he bailed on that one. Then he decided to use the stem as a nose, and the face just sort of happened. Poor Stephen, no votes for you. Whenever we do contests like this, Stephen is notorious for trying to do the elaborate and incredible designs, and while the ideas behind them always sound really cool, the end result usually just ends up being "too much." But that's why it's fun to do contests with Stephen... because then it's easier to win! (Love ya, Stephen!)

Anyway, our family pumpkin carving contest was a blast. This was the first year I haven't won (last time I won with a wraparound calico kitty design, complete with 3D ears—she was so cute!). I think my favorite part of the whole night was the huge slice of New York-style pizza I had while contemplating my design. Yum! Did your favorite pumpkin win?

21 comments:

Kateri Von Steal said...

AMAZING! You have such a cute and close knit family... LOVE IT


Happy Halloween My Friend

Stephanie said...

Aw yay I picked yours :) They really are all fantastic! Mine would be like Stephen's. So many ideas, so little pumpkin.

Brittany Wilson said...

A close second for the spider, I'll take it ;) And poor Stehpen, can I offer a pity vote haha

Kim said...

So fun - I loved your contest. I usually just take a drill and make some holes and fill the pumpkin with lights - I have zero creativity!

Sara Simonsen said...

Did you count the Instagram votes?! I voted for what ended up being yours - that one is delightfully simple, fun, and adorable looking - my favorite kind of design!

Linda said...

All of then are great!

Cody Doll said...

I knew it was yours!! I could tell. I figured Daniel was the face or the cactus. Your mom did great! I didn't crave any this year because I was busy working on my costume and homework.

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Well they were all awesome, but I'm bummed my pick didn't win!

Kelly Ann said...

Wow, my favorite might actually be Daniel's followed closely by the spider!

xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

Annelise Rowe said...

Aw thanks :) We just love doing things together. It brings out our competitive nature :)

Annelise Rowe said...

You should see his gingerbread houses. The architecture is always spot on, but the decor... blehhh! On a side note, he is the BEST at interior design. He is so talented!

Annelise Rowe said...

He'll take it! He was happy to see that at least ;)

Annelise Rowe said...

Ain't nothin' wrong with drilling holes... I love the way the lights bounce off the wall when you do it that way :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Yes I did! :) Thank you again for voting for mine... I was surprised I got any at all :)

Annelise Rowe said...

How did you know?? Because it was simple? :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Awww... at least thanks for voting! Seriously I appreciated that :)

Annelise Rowe said...

His is totally my favorite, too. It's so different!

Cody Doll said...

Cause I know you. ;] I mean after reading just about everyday straight for two month, you get to know someone but the simple did help. haha

Annelise Rowe said...

Well I love that. Figures :) You know me and we haven't even met!

Yuen said...

Whoa, these are gorgeous! I will never be able to carve half as good as that!

Annelise Rowe said...

The gorgeous ones are thanks to my husband, mom &brother. They're amazing!

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