With it being a day filled with all things rich in carved goodness here are a pair of lanterns to light your way to our door.
First up is Janelle in Chandler, AZ who carved this Funkin (foam pumpkin) using a Dremel.
Randall Ensley also sent us a sugar skull inspired design in the traditional format that rots away in a few days.
Thank you both for your submissions it is always exciting to see how the tradition of pumpkin carving continues to evolve and get more technical with specialized tools to make intricate designs. Have a safe and happy holiday everyone! Those of our readers affected by this week's extreme weather on the East Coast our thoughts are with you.
This contest has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated and for the excellent comments.
Don't forget that you have until 11:59:59 TONIGHT to enter our latest giveaway contest for the party going Mad Hatter skull shirt from Akumu Ink.
As you can see, they have men and women's styles available so you can find the right fit for you no matter who you are. Even if you don't win you can still feel like a winner by purchasing some gear in the Akumu Ink store. Plus, you can still get a 20% discount on your purchase by entering the promo code "SKULL20" at checkout. Thanks, Joey and Aldora!
Today's bonehead comes from Darien and was accompanied by this message, "Here's a skull that just showed up on my desk. These are dog ribs forming the outline, and I was using the other pieces to gauge which one I would create a pendant for the ribs necklace from. I own Custom Cranium, and create dolls and jewelry from roadkill, shelter kills and other ethically sourced bones and skulls, a new life for the forgotten dead. Someone turned me onto your site years ago and I've been following faithfully since!"
I don't think I could have written this post any better. Plus the last line is truly appreciated. Thanks for the kind words and killer submission, Darien!
And hey, if you want to make your own anatomical pumpkin, you can use my step-by-step instructions HERE. Of course please send in a picture if you do!
Christie Medaglia from upstate New York, "made this skull cake for my son's Halloween party in school." She explained, "My son loves everything skulls. I found a copy of your book in his art teacher's class room tonight at open house, and had to go to your website."
I have fond memories of my mom making all sorts of awesome cakes for different events. However, she never made a skull cake...well I don't recall any skull cakes. I hope Christie's son's class enjoyed her deliciously spooky skull cake. Also, we love knowing how people find Skull-A-Day. I also found Skull-A-Day through one of Noah's books, "Skulls".
You can get step-by-step instructions how to make your own HERE. And of course I hope you'll send in a picture of the results!
Don't forget that you have until 11:59:59 on Wednesday October 31st to enter our newest giveaway contest for the party going Mad Hatter skull shirt from Akumu Ink.
Today's skull were spotted by our own skull man, Noah Scalin.
Spotted this screaming skull on the bottom of my shoe today!
While in Washington, D.C., Noah "Spotted this guy looking in the window of my train as we sat in the station."
Ryan Land of San Leandro, CA is making our day super with these bold and powerful skull illustrations.
The simple yet bold black and whites are a great representation of the character required to be monarch. I also like how the shaded regions are created with thinner and thicker lines. No real shades of grey, but the illusion is apparent. It's also making me think about how this style could be used in etching glass as well. Thanks for the super submission, Ryan!
What a wonderful portrait of the Skullmaster's own 72. Papercraft Skull attempted in a brand new way. Thank you for sharing this piece with us and reminding me that with a Skull-tastic holiday right around the corner, maybe our loyal readers might want to try their hand at some of the FREE activities from the Skull-A-Day archives HERE.
Want to make your own? The directions are HERE. And of course be sure to send in an image for us to share!
Jennifer Ferrell's husband Chad built this skull snow fort for their son Parker, a couple years ago.
I have fond childhood memories of making snow forts. We rarely get heavy snow anymore, so my daughter might not get to experience a snow fort while she's a child. However, my favorite snow fort is ICEHOTEL in Sweden. That amazing hotel is built every year. It's the ultimate snow and ice fort. However, it's doubtful many of us will ever get there. If we are lucky enough, we'll get snow were we normally live, and get to sit in our own awesome skull snow fort instead.
Here's the current state of mine, which is definitely looking grumpier thanks to the 80+ degree weather we've had this week!
Want to make your own? The directions are HERE.
"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" If you don't know either then it doesn't matter. You don't have to have the right answer to enter our newest giveaway for this skullified Mad Hatter t-shirt from Akumu Ink. All you need to know is that 'Akumu' is the Japanese word for 'nightmare' and most everything they offer is nightmare inspired and perfect for our particular audience. These shirts are soft and comfy with badass designs that you will want to "Wear To Death". Let's all enjoy this tea party as we roll into this last week of counting down to Halloween.
PRIZE INFO: One (1) tea party lovin' Mad Hatter designed shirt in your choice of size. Don't worry, ladies, they also offer a woman's cut tee for our female readers. You can see that version here.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment below telling us the craziest person you would have a tea party with. And no, you cannot answer the Mad Hatter, that's too obvious.
CONTEST CLOSES: 11:59:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time Wednesday, October 31st.
PRIZE SHIPS: This contest is open to all skull lovers around the world. Be the first one in your neighborhood to own this sweet shirt no matter where you live.
IF YOU DON'T WIN: You can always make yourself feel like a winner by purchasing your own Mad Hatter tee or any of the other awesome designs in the Akumu Ink store. Right now you can receive 20% off of your order by using the promo code "SKULL20". Thanks again for the killer giveaway and discount to our readers, Aldora and Joey!
Web Designer Craig Edmond from Norwich, CT, USA wrote: "I think your site is great and thought I would send along one of my skull illustrations. This is kind of a digital composite of different sketches I did on the backs of business cards."
This is an awesome composite you put together. There is something wonderfully old about this and when I first saw it I thought New England for some odd reason. It was interesting to later see where you are from. This would make an incredible Ex Libris plate, kind of works as we start to see the end of books as we know them. Thank you for submitting your work for us to share.
This contest has ended. Thanks again to everyone for all of the comments and good luck in our future giveaways.
Don't forget that you have until 11:59:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time TONIGHT to be entered in our current contest giveaway for an undeadWe item courtesy of Chop Shop and The Chopping Block. Follow the link to the original post HERE, or click on the ad in the sidebar.
Of course you don't have to wait until the contest is over to get your own undeadWe item or other products from the Chop Shop store. Right now you will also receive 15% off any purchases by using the promo code "agentskully".
Patrick Koonts did a fantastic job using my directions to create his own Jack-O-Lantern with a brain!
I think he's holding up pretty well despite the 70 degree October weather!
I hope you'll give this a try with your own pumpkin, just follow the step-by-step instructions HERE. And of course send in a pic when you're done!
This gorgeous gorilla skull painting is acrylic on canvas and courtesy of Andy Stonefield. He included this wonderful background story. "Those in the Milwaukee area may be aware of a famous gorilla named 'Sampson' that lived at the local zoo. When the poor chap died at an old age, they preserved his skeleton and created an award winning taxidermy of his likeness in life as well, both of which are on display at the MKE Public Museum."
Behold the magnificent beast in it's rawest form! Gorillas are the juggernauts of the ape world and even just their skulls are obvious symbols of power. The menacing brow still protruding as if he were defying death by showing a sign of life. Thanks for showing us that Sampson is far from dead, Andy.
Lebotomy is back again with a piece he created named "Skully Klaws".
I know, I know, it's not even Halloween, and I'm already posting Christmas stuff. You know you've been ogling the abundant skeletons and skulls of Halloween merchandise, as much as the glittery ornaments and colorful trees as much as the next person...or maybe that's just me. The legend of Santa is of an immortal man that lives where no other person can go and delivers and bottomless sack full of presents to billions of children in 24 hours/one night. For those who believe in the legend, perhaps instead of one immortal man, there have been thousands of "Santas". Perhaps, they all look like Skully Klaws in their arctic crypt. Or, something less deep...this would make an awesome Christmas card.
Don't forget that you have until 11:59:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time Wednesday, October 24, 2012 to be entered in our current contest giveaway for an undeadWe item courtesy of Chop Shop and The Chopping Block. Follow the link to the original post HERE, or click on the ad in the sidebar.
Flemming from Philadelphia, PA said, "Look who is peering down from above this beautiful bloom of mushrooms on a September day in Philly."
Luciana Haill "found this in Burwash TN16, East Sussex." She loves "photographing fungi and use Flickr for some sharing,"