Carving pumpkins is a classic seasonal pastime that doesn’t ever seem to lose its charm. The artistic possibilities are as endless as the ideas in the creator’s mind. Regardless of whether you want to give your neighbors a fright, prove your knife skills with an intricate design or simply light up Halloween night, here are the steps to get you started.
—Compiled by Kara Paliokas
1. Select a fresh pumpkin in a shape that pleases you.
2. Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin in preparation for making an opening large enough for your hand to reach through.
3. Cut through the stem end of the pumpkin along your outline with a sharp knife or pumpkin tool (use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin).
4. Remove the stem end, which will act as a cap and scrape off any seeds or pulp.
5. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin.
6. Draw a pattern for the face on the outside of the pumpkin with a felt-tip pen. Be sure to make the eyes, nose and mouth large, so they’re easy to cut with a knife.
7. Follow your pattern as you cut all the way through the pumpkin.
8. Push the cutout features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces.
9. Place a votive candle inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow.
Source: ehow.com
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