I got so many great pumpkin carving ideas from the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival. It’s the world’s largest pumpkin festival with 400,000 pumpkins from all over the world.
I have to admit I rarely carve a pumpkin. I’m more of a “big ideas person” but am not so good at implementing my “vision” which means that my attempts at pumpkin carving are less than impressive, but I think that even I could pull of a few of the ideas below. Besides it’s the perfect excuse to drink Pumpkin wine don’t you think?
How about a monster to scare away/impress visitors? I think this would look great at a front door to greet Trick or Treaters and kids would love it! A surefire way to be the most popular house on the block.
Or perhaps a pig, with piglets of course! The two-toned eyes really bring the animals to life. I also love the idea of creating a pumpkin family, rather than just having the standard stand alone pumpkin. I also like the unexpected twist on a traditional pumpkin like the one on the left with its tongue sticking out. It screams personality and would be a hit with kids.
Or a turkey to celebrate not one, but two holidays. I also love the idea of using non-traditional pumpkins such as this in different shapes and colors, rather than the expected orange pumpkin.
Another variation on a turkey that turns an ordinary pumpkin into anything but.
I love the results of carving out just a part of the pumpkin without going all the way through.
Which is your favorite? I like all the ideas, but think the mouse with the cheese is adorable and an unexpected twist on a pumpkin.
Do you carve a pumpkin for Halloween? If so send in your photos and I’ll post them.
Get even more ideas from the ocean themed Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival that took place in 2010.
Amazing – some people really have got extraordinary hobbies.
Mette Christensen recently posted..Grinning skeletons in all year parade
I agree, I have a hard enough time just carving a regular pumpkin, let alone anything creative like these ones.
Very artistic! Carving is a skill. I have gone to a food festival were students carve anything on a pumpkin and a watermelon and it seems so difficult for its intricacies. Those photo blogs are great. This can give idea to any mom’s who want to decorate their porch with this pumpkins.
jennavantez recently posted..100 FREE DATING SITES
Those are incredible! We used to go to Keene, New Hampshire who alo has a huge jack-o-lantern festival, but nothing so ornate and creative. Definitely inspiring!
Preparing for Takeoff recently posted..The Night Watchman Tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Those are just fantastic. I love the little mouses!
Wow – there are some very talented pumpkin carvers out there! I’m going to show these photos to my 8 year old as soon as she’s home from school. She will love them but I’m a little worried that they may raise her expectations a bit too much when we get ready to carve our pumpkin on Sunday.
Lisa recently posted..Cruising along the Thames to Greenwich
Good timing! I have to carve a pumpkin this WE and I’m a bit clueless. Although I don’t think I have the skills yet for these elaborate designs!
Zhu recently posted..Canadians Behind The Camera
@jennavantez – I agree that pumpkin carving is a skill and my pumpkin carving skills certainly leave a lot to be desired
@Preparing for Takeoff – I love any kind of pumpkin festival and the creativity of these ones is so inspiring.
@Jessica – The mice are my favorites ones too.
@Lisa – I hope your daughter likes them, some of them don’t look TOO hard to do. Good luck!
Zhu – Happy pumpkin carving! My skills aren’t up for anything elaborate either
Those are some seriously talented pumpkin people! I love the giant hunk of cheese that the mice are sitting on. Didn’t even think “pumpkin” when I first saw it.
Steve recently posted..Trying to Stop the Trick Or Treating
Fantastic. Not sure I dare show them to my kids as I’ll be sent out to get yet more pumpkins!
Who’da thought the largest pumpkin carving festival would be in Germany?? Very artistic designs, that’s for sure.
I added to your food linky!
Thanks!
omg, these pumpkin creations are amazing (and adorable!). I am use to the old pumpkin carving thing, so this is new and interesting (especially the second photo , how did they even carved the monster head ??
Annie-FootTracker recently posted..SF(15) A Night with My Dead Neighbors @Queen Anne’s Hotel in San Francisco
Ha ha. I remember your post about the pumpkin place – I loved all the creations. We bought a piece of pumpkin yesterday (they’re huge here so we buy it in slices). I’m going to scrape the flesh out and then make a scary face in the skin so it can watch us while we eat the insides!
Julia
These are pretty cool, although I doubt my ability to ever pull off anything close.
amandapoverseas recently posted..Learning Styles and Learning a Language
There is a wealth of creative ability displayed here. In Canada the pumpkin gets nearly all the attention. The humble and often very colourful gourd does not get anywhere near the respect it deserves. Happy Halloween.
Barry recently posted..Tioga Pass Road – Yosemite – Hiking California
@Steve – The “cheese” is one of my favorites as well.
@Sue –
@Sonja – I was surprised to see that Germany had the world’s largest pumpkin festival until I visited it. It’s a really fun event, especially for kids. Thanks for participating in FoodFriday.
@Annie – Me too, I’ve never seen anything quite like this.
@Julia – I really like this pumpkin festival! I like the sound of your plan. I didn’t end up carving a pumpkin this year, even with the great inspiration of these pumpkins.
@Amanda – Me too, I’m hopelessly uncrafty.
@Barry – Agreed, and gourds come in such interesting shapes and colors. Happy Halloween to you as well.
These are fabulous pumpkin carvings. I love the animal theme. Seems to be popular. Every year, we try and make a giant pumpkin parade held the night after Halloween in Toronto’s Sorauren Park. Hundreds of carved, lit pumpkins line a pathway through the westend park. Always a fabulous evening photo op. Am going to look to see if the animal theme prevails at it.
Canadas Boomergirl recently posted..Cemetery stories
@Canadas Boomergirl I love the animal theme too. I’ve never heard of a pumpkin parade but it sounds really cool. I’ll have to watch for your photos.