[SCAREcrow]

Hello, my name is Caroline. I live in Ontario and I am from a little town called Paris. Currently I am in my fourth and final year at Trent university in Peterborough where I am working towards my Bachelor of Science with Honors, majoring in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences.

I found Zombie Pumpkins last year since I was sick of buying the standard pumpkin stencil kits from Walmart - kind of infuriating when you spend so much time carving kins' and you see 20 of the same one around town. Last year my boyfriend and I carved 6 patterns from ZP and they turned out great! I would post pictures but I am new to the whole forum thing and have yet to figure it out.

I have enjoyed reading about past experiences, especially posts with advice on speeding things up - so I decided to become a member. I am especially interested in trying out some power tools this year to really get things moving.

Look forward to chatting with everyone!

-Caroline

[amandap80]

Welcome Caroline, can't wait to see some of your carvings!

[NikkiRae]

Welcome to the forum, Caroline! Hope you enjoy it. Happy carving!

As for a power tool to speed things up, the only one I've ever used for my carving is the pumpkin gutter tool that attaches to a drill. It's much better than gutting and scraping by hand. My boyfriend and I have been using it for 3 years now. We get through 6 pumpkins in about 45 minutes. Also, we always have two drills for the job, both fully charged. But totally worth it!

[purple1worm]

Welcome to ZP Caroline!

[zombombie]

Welcome to the pumpkin patch Caroline!

The pumpkin gutter attachment to a power drill, for me, is a must. Also, if you do one of the Jason Voorhees hoslckey masks a drill bit makes short work of all the circular holes!!

[nosferatu]

Hi Caroline

Welcome to the forum. Have a great Halloween and success in your final year. I'm old school I have the power tools but prefer the old fashioned pumpkin scoop. Don't forget to post pictures of what you carve.

[SuperSonic]

Loving the Canadians popping out of the shadows!. Welcome to the forums Hope to see some of your carves!

[monstermash]

Welcome to the forums SCAREcrow. You've popped in at the right time. Can't wait to see what you carve. I'm an old fashioned gal so I couldn't help you with the power tools but there usually someone here to cover just about any query you might have.

[Raven]

Welcome to the forum!

I second (third, fourth?) the pumpkin gutter tool, especially if you are doing more than one pumpkin at once. While I don't mind scooping out the seeds and stuff it's a godsend for thinning the walls of the 'kin. It took me a few times to get the hang of it, but now that I did I don't think I will ever go without it.

Good luck in your academic endeavors as well! My husband is currently pursuing his PhD. in Electrical Engineering while holding down a full time job at the University in the Civil and Environmental Engineering departments and is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Tau Beta Pi. I've watched his stress level go from "YAY COLLEGE!" to "What the hell was I thinking?!".

I hope you share some pictures with us! We like seeing it all from carvings to decorations!

[Ajax]

Canada eh. Me to welcome to the forum.

[ghostface]

Welcome to the forum Caroline! You will have a great time here!

[SCAREcrow]

Its very nice to meet everyone and thanks for the kind words!

[Zombie Pumpkins!]

Welcome Caroline! I love seeing new members. I liked hearing a bit about your life and how you found your way to Zombie Pumpkins. Consider this your new Halloween home. You'll be advancing your craft in leaps and bounds.