Here's What the Judges Had to Say
We like to honour tradition here at the WPCC and so it may seem like nepotism to have so many family members on the judging panel, they were here when it started (as you can read about in the first post) and so until they make the disastrous move of not casting a vote, we will keep them on the panel. No one knows who's pumpkin is who's and Leanne and I had to take a whole course on ethics, so trust us, we don't carve and tell.
So this year's official judges!
- Jayne W (my mom)
- Penny W (my sister)
- Melissa W (my other sister)
- Laurie A (Leanne's mom)
- Barrie A (Leanne's dad)
- Bob M (Sarah's friend)
- Meagan L (Leanne's friend - I like to think mine too)
- Ian R (Leanne's friend)
- Michele R (Leanne's friend)
- Dave B (Sarah's friend - I'm sure Leanne would say hers too)
- and the tiebreaker vote Rob D who if you were tied for first and he voted you number 1 you would win, he's that special. Luckily it hasn't come down to that.
Now we strive for 100% voter turnout in the WPCC, 110% if we could get it. So it is sad to say that one judge did not vote and shall be referred to as 'the judge that did not vote' by me from now on. She is dead to me.
One judge had some problems with the rules, but she has experienced that before so it's almost become expected and we forgive her for it.
Here are your reviews:
"I liked the fire and the fangs of pumpkin 2, they gave the evil/wicked look. I loved the teeth of pumpkin 3 but it was too goofy to be wicked. Pumpkin 5 has a wicked mustache..."
"A good stock this year!!"
"The shapes used in the design (of #8) (snake fangs and shifty eyes) say “wicked” to me. The technique used on the fangs was stunning! The 2 cut-aways per fang are effective and look hard to do. Points for execution awarded! Not too sure if this is what was intended, but the mouth looks like a staircase luring an unsuspecting person in."
"The shapes used in the design (of # 2) (sharp edges, evil down-swooping bird, licking flames) say “wicked” to me. I liked the mixture of techniques used (half-light effect on the flames vs bright effect on the rest)."
" Design (of #1) is quite simple, but both the teeth and the eyes say “wicked” to me. The teeth are especially well done."
" Not too sure if this is what was intended, but (#4) looks like a “wicked” creature about to invade unsuspecting people sleeping in a tent at dawn. I loved this theme. Perhaps because I am a camper. The creature does look a little bit too friendly (not really sure why except maybe the rounded edges that were used), otherwise it would rank higher."
"I really thought this one (pumpkin #6) was well done and wish I could have voted for it. The technique used was stunning. But I can’t honestly say that a skull is “wicked”. So sad."
"I like the feel of the art and the use of layering in 4 the most, carving number 7 would have taken a lot of time and skill, and number 2 has a definite 'wicked' vibe. Bonus points to number 3 for being unconventional, as I'm definitely not sure what it is about a candle that's wicked. Maybe it's an evil candle?"
"First of all, I'd like to once again thank you for including me in this prestigious event.
Just so you know where I am coming from with my decisions...when I hear the word "WICKED" in the context of a Halloween pumpkin carving championship, the definition that first springs to mind is one related to evil and nastiness as opposed to, "totally awesome, dude", or anything to do with capillary action. I guess I should give props to the person who actually entered a lamp for really pushing the envelope of the definition. I hope it was worth it. ; )"
"Pumpkin #4- Nice detail and technique but a bit low on the wicked scale. Looks too much like a cute cartoon vampire to get ranked any higher."
"Pumpkin #1- Fairly basic design but I do like the lighter effect on the teeth. Perhaps they could have been a bit sharper to make it look more evil. Still, it looks like it wants to take a bite out of me for no good reason, and that's pretty wicked in my books."
"Pumpkin #2- This one shows some great carving work and, like #1, it looks like it wants to do horrible unmentionable things to me and possibly my friends and family. Yikes!"
"I must say I'm surprised that no one went with the traditional "Wicked Witch". I'm not sure if that pleases or saddens me. Maybe everyone thought that it was too obvious."
"Pumpkin #1, it was, for me, the teeth that made it wicked. I could almost hear the "hehehe"'s""I was really drawn in by the fangs (of #8)."
"Pumpkin 3 was intriguing for me – looked like a Viking ship with a candle on top like Wicked on Sail…. But the couch backdrop didn’t do it justice – maybe it should have been floating in the bath tub…"
"I had a night mare about pumpkin number 6, so it wins my vote!"
So those are the reviews from the judges that obliged us and provided a little reasoning for their votes! If only Americans had to do that too, we could weed out the stupid ones! One suggestion for next year was also made:
"I also suggest that a new nomination category should be added. Because as much as our society likes a winner and people like to win trophies, we love to laugh at losers. So I think we should add a category called "Please do us a favour and light your pumpkin on fire", because some people seem to have a hard time understanding the meaning of the word wicked!"
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