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Pumpkin Carving
by W.Holidays
From the top!
Sit your pumpkin down and decide what side you
want to be the front.
If your pumpkin just doesn't want to sit straight,
cut a small portion off the bottom to level your pumpkin.
When cutting
out the lid out, create a notch in the back or cut out a hexagon shape to make the
lid easy to put back on. Cut at an angle so the lid lies on the top of the
pumpkin and does not fall through.
Pull and scrape out all the seeds and
gooey pumpkin strands. If the walls of your pumpkin are thick remove some of the
flesh as well.
Wipe off the pumpkin if it get messy. Save the seeds for
roasting.
Pick out a design or create your own. Draw it on paper first to
work out the details. Speaking of details, if this is your first pumpkin don't
make the details too fine or minute, as they get tricky to cut out.
For
kids, let them draw the face right on the pumpkin with a pencil or pen
For fancier designs select or make a paper pattern. Cut away excess
paper from the pattern with scissors and attach the pattern to the
pumpkin with tape. Now poke holes with a pumpkin poker (a pushpin
or an ice pick will work) along the design lines. You do not need to
push the poker all the way into the pumpkin your goal it to make a
guide for cutting. Where there is more detail poke more holes.
Remove the pattern. Using the detail saw (or a paring
knife) cut out the design. Hold the tool like a pencil and use it like
a saw, gently going back and forth, don't cut or try to slice, the
pumpkin is thick and the tool is fragile and you may break the tool
and/or hurt yourself.
Tips:
Work the small areas first. Do the large pieces last
to keep the pumpkin stable.
Work from the center of your design
outward.
Don't bend or twist the cutting tool.
When cutting sharp corners
remove the tool and re-insert it at another angle.
Push cut pieces out from
the inside with your finger.
You can light your pumpkin with a candle or
a glow stick.
If using a candle, cut a hole in the bottom the same size of
your candle or make a candleholder out of aluminum foil to steady your candle.
Now, light your candle and let burn a minute or two with the lid on. Check the
lid of your pumpkin. Where there is a black spot cut out a "chimney" for the
smoke to escape. Your pumpkin will last much longer this way.
Take your
time and have fun. From start to finish plan to spend an hour to an hour and a
half.
Remember to video tape those little ones. They are really cute when
it's pumpkin time.
Make your jack-'o-lanterns smell really
good.
Sprinkle the lid of the pumpkin with cinnamon and
nutmeg. When the candle is burning it will smell like pumpkin pie.
For patterns go to our printables section.
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