Jimmy Good Toad's Hobbies page

	Boys and Girls Clubs
	of Greater Nashua

2008 Fall Session - Pumpkin Class - Merrimack

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This class is scheduled over 7 weeks but we have Columbus Day weekend in the middle of the set so there are actually only 6 weeks of this class that we meet. We meet on Monday's and my thought is there is no better way to make Monday's something to look forward to than to make it a fishing day!

This is my largest class, with 12 kids signed up. Imagine going to the waterfront with 12 kids, most of whom have little or no fishing experience, casting, baiting and otherwise burning off some energy and you have an idea of what this can be like. I long ago discovered that I can not fish during this class as I spend most of my time fixing equipment, untangling lines, baiting hooks and releasing fish.

What I am most thrilled about is discovering (with every class) how many kids are catching fish for the very first time. It's a wonderful sight!

After a day of lecture followed by a day of practicing on pumpkins, this 3rd week has our kids creating their designs on paper. Some chose provided templates, some created their own ideas, some took templates and then changed them to meet their desires.

Here's an example of a free hand design that should result in a nice scary pumpkin carving!

We are now ready to transfer our patterns to the pumpkin. I explained to the kids that if their design was too complex that they may not have time to finish them. I further explained that if they make it too simple that they would finish very quickly and have nothing to do. The kids know me well. When they have "nothing to do" I ask that they do just that...

After seeing pictures and examples of what this technique can do, they all get real serious about working on their pumpkins

This results in a nice quiet afternoon of kids working and the teacher relaxing...

An example of a simple design. This pumpkin carver then spent some of the class time helping others and doing homework

I had a helper this session and gave him the camera to help record the days activities

Don't take a picture of me!!

Here I am showing a carver how to do the transfer technique unique to this carving method

Busy busy busy!

Here is that scary face again...

And an indication of how well she is getting it transferred to the pumpkin

Here is another outstanding transfer job. Notice that not all pumpkins have a Halloween theme. You can get creative and do whatever you like!

Another simple pumpkin that will produce incredible results.

This one excites me. It is a simple flower that, when carved, will have a deep 3-dimensinal look to it.

Another fun design!

This is the drawing of the pumpkin I am doing for the Litchfield class. You can see the finished product in that photo album.

Kids relaxing when they finish up early

Some decide to spend their time coloring.

While others keep working right up to the end of the 2 hour session.

We begin carving next!

Every year we have problems with pumpkins rotting during the 2-3 weeks we spend carving. This year, with the warmer temperatures, we have a new problem. Bugs. Most of the pumpkins were covered with bugs and this particular one must have been tasty as the bugs chewed a hole right through it. Frustrating, but the goal here is to learn the technique so we continue on.

Here the kids are getting some last minute instruction with a focus on knife safety. The kids will be using X-Acto razor knives for their primary carving so safety is of primary concern.

To help the kids appreciate WHY we spend so much time just "carving" a pumpkin, I showed them the one I just finished for another class. This got them good and excited!

Here I am giving the kids a refresher on knife technique

Showing them how to cut a line, void an area and create contour.

Here is one of the pumpkins that has me excited. The potential here is simply incredible and I can not wait to see this one completed.

Everyone gets to the task and begins carving!

Here one of my helpers works on a pumpkin. Another helper drew the pumpkin while he is given the chance to carve it.

Here the carving continues on that chewed up pumpkin. Fortunately the chewed up area is on the bottom and out of view.

It was wonderful watching them carve, chatting and just enjoying the beautiful day.

Concentration is key!

Everyone is working hard here.

This is that flower pumpkin. I had to sit with her to explain some additional advanced carving techniques so that she could get the right look for that type of carving. She took right to it and is doing a great job!

This boy selected a very complex totem type pattern and, while it is a lot more work than I think he figured on, he is doing a wonderful job.

He worked extra hard to get the drawing on his pumpkin last week but I had to poke him several times to get some carving done. He will have his work cut out for himself next week.

She wanted me to get a picture of her pumpkin progress but did not want to be in the picture... Little did she know, I am quick on the shutter, as she tries to back out of view... LOL

A very creative free-hand design is coming out just beautifully. She has truly grasped the technique.

Woodstock on a pumpkin. This is a simplistic drawing of woodstock (the little yellow bird from Peanuts) and is a wonderful subject for a pumpkin. It is coming out great

A days work sits in the shade. This time we put them up on a concrete slab with a mat in the hopes of staving off bugs. GOOD JOB!

Next week we finish carving, gut and light'em up! so stay tuned

Now let's light'em up!

Here our new pumpkin carvers pose with their creations

One more shot then we're going indoors to get these works of art lit up!

The creativity and skill was something to see. And for these kids to see their creations lit was wonderful

Some designs were simple, some complex, all looked incredible under the cloak of darkness with their lights ablaze

A pumpkin on a pumpkin, simply wonderful!

This flower was the most unique of the group and one of my favorites of the season. The 3D depth to this carving is something you need to really see to appreciate. Good job!

Woodstock on a pumpkin? The Great Pumpkin would be proud!

What would Halloween be without Frankie to show the way!

Twick o twee, from Scooby DO!

This concludes the Merrimack pumpkin carving class with the Boys & Girls Club.
A great success all the way around. I am very proud of all my kids!
You guys did an incredible job!