carve a pumpkin

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need:

* Pumpkin
* Carving tools
* Candle/glass votif
* Spoon or scoop
* Patience!


Step 1

Use a sharp knife (like a boning knife) to cut a hole for the pumpkin. Usually it is done on the top, but if you flip the pumpkin over and cut the bottom - it is much easier to light the candle. Just make sure when you make the cut you face the knife towards the center of the pumpkin. In the back cut a small notch so you will know how to place the pieces back together later.

Step 2

Know use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to clean out the inside pulp. Save the seeds for a nice snack for later. (Here is a great recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds: http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/recipe_view.asp?recipe_id=6)

Step 3

Now paste on your paper template, molding the paper to the pumpkin. Alternately you can draw the picture directly on the pumpkin using a water washable marker.

Here are a couple of links for free online templates:
a. http://www.dremel.com/en-US/projects-and-community/PumpkinTemplates.htm

b. http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/free_patterns_main.asp

Step 4

Now if you are using a device like a dremel, trace the pattern using the low setting and then the high setting for larger areas. Otherwise you can use a sharp tool to poke little pokes through the paper into the pumpkin so you can see the outline.

I highly recommend getting the dremel as it makes the carving so much easier and it is relatively inexpensive. Here is the information as listed on Amazon.com: Dremel 764-04 Pumpkin Carving Kit includes 6-Volt Minimite Cordless Rotary Tool $19.00.

Step 5

Once you have carved to your heart's content, remove any paper templates, or wash off the marker, soak the pumpkin in a bucket of water to prevent the pumpkin from shriveling. Let it air-dry completely and then rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on the cut areas to keep the edges from drying out.

Step 6

Now insert a light source such as a tea candle in a glass votive.

That's it!