Blaze carver Cristal Rose Stevens tells the blog about all things pumpkin, including her very good friend, Alfred.

BB: What's your day job?
CS: I'm an art student at SUNY Purchase, musician, chef, stilt-walker, and freestyle rapper.
BB: A Jill of all trades.
CS: Absolutely. And I've worked at Van Cortlandt Manor since I was 12 with my mom, Faith.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
CS: Everything that you see and can purchase.
BB: What are your favorites?
CS: My favorites that I've carved are the clowns and mushrooms.

BB: Are you working on any other Blaze-related items?
CS: Well, I'm making a lot of Halloween costumes.

BB: What are your preferred carving tools and methods?
CS: I prefer to use only a thick-handled X-Acto blade to carve freehand on funkins. I also use a Sharpie.

BB: Got any carving tips for a novice?
CS: Don't drop your blade on your leg, or your leg will hurt a lot.

BB: What's your favorite pumpkin-based food?
CS: I enjoy pumpkin coffee and any organic vegan pumpkin concoctions.

BB: What's your favorite Halloween movie?
CS: Hands down, The Nightmare Before Christmas. I just saw it in 3D. Other than that, does Labyrinth count as a Halloween film?
BB: Sure, if Dune counts.

BB: Toasted pumpkin seeds: Salt or no salt?
CS: No salt!

BB: What makes pumpkins so special?
CS: Well, one time I met this talking pumpkin named Alfred. He took me on a special tour to where he grew...
BB: Uhhh...
CS: Wait, that's just nonsense. They are special because they grow a lot of mold.

BB: If I were a carved pumpkin, I'd be...
CS: A fairy. Hanging out with the other fairies, and dancing around with the mushrooms and butterflies.

BB: Thank you, Cristal!