Pumpkin Carving Made Easy and Fun! ~Part 2~

If you have followed the first steps in getting your pumpkin ready, now you can start getting ready for the next step...

Carving your design.

Attach your own or printed design to the flattest side of your pumpkin by using thumbtacks or masking tape. **Tip** If your pattern is too big or too small for the pumpkin you chose, use a copy machine to enlarge or reduce the pattern size.

Once the pattern is in place, use a punch tool to outline each shape of your design. Poke the tool along the edge of each shape, spacing the holes about 1/8-inch apart. DO NOT press hard; all you want is a small indentation to transfer the outline.
Remove your pattern once you have made sure you have not missed any spots. Keep handy for visual aid.

If you have opted to draw your own or your kid's design directly on the pumpkin, work slowly as you copy each shape to avoid making mistakes.

In order that you can see the outline better rub some baking powder or flour over all your pin-point dot design so that the design stands out better. Now you can connect the dots with your sharpie or outliner and voila' you can see your design and it is ready for cutting.


Cutting the shapes

Use a long nail or punch to start your design thus making a starting point where you can insert the blade without cutting too much into the design. Turn and push until it’s all the way into the pumpkin, then remove. Do this every time you start a new shape (eyes, nose, mouth) in your design. This makes it easier for you to work your way through using your knife. Using this as your starting point now work your way through your design steadily sawing in an even direction.

Maintain light pressure and use a gentle sawing motion to cut through the rind. Steady the pumpkin with your free hand, which should be kept well away from the blade. When making curves, just slightly turn the blade. When making sharp corners, remove the knife and re-insert it at an angle.

To remove the pieces you cut, you may find it easier to push them out from the inside. If the cutout refuses to budge, check that all of your cuts meet at corners, and that the blade has cut all the way through the rind. In some cases, you may need to gentle pry out the shape with a butter knife. For larger pieces, you may want to cut them into smaller bits and remove them in sections.

Cleaning Up

For maximum effect of brightness, trim the inside walls of the cutouts so they are straight and even. Also remove stray fibers and strands around the inside edges of your shapes.

Safety First

Place desired candle inside or a pumpkin light which is safer, light and place lid back on top.

• Light the candle and place it on a piece of tinfoil inside the pumpkin. Put the lid on. Let it sit a minute...
• Remove the lid and there should be a smoke mark on it
• Cut a vent in the lid where the smoke mark shows
• NEVER LEAVE BURNING CANDLES UNATTENDED
  

Enjoy your pumpkin carving and
a Happy Halloween!