Things You'll Need:
- Votive Candles
- Jack-o'-lanterns
- Paring Knives
- Cooking Oil
- Felt-tip Pens
- Pumpkins
- Olive (not Virgin) Oil
- Chef's Knives
- Votive Candleholders
- Pumpkin-carving Sets
- Newspaper
- Cinnamon
- Pencils
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Step 1
Select a fresh pumpkin in a shape that pleases you. Some folks prefer their pumpkins low and round, while others like them tall and oval-shaped.
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Step 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.
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Step 3
Cut through the stem end of the pumpkin along your outline with a sharp knife or pumpkin-carving tool. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick, tough skin.
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Step 4
Remove the stem end, which will act as a cap, making sure you scrape off any seeds or pulp.
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Step 5
Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin. Hold the spoon by its bowl to get extra leverage while scooping.
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Step 6
Draw a pattern for the face on the clean pumpkin with a felt-tip pen, or scribe the lines into the skin using a pencil. Be sure to make the eyes, nose and mouth large enough; you'll have a hard time cutting out tiny features when you're using a big knife blade to saw through tough skin.
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Step 7
Follow your pattern as you cut all the way through the pumpkin.
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Step 8
Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces.
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Step 9
Place a votive candle inside the pumpkin to create an eerie glow.











Comments
theoworlds said
on 10/19/2006 And if you need some training without a mess, check this link:
http://www.theoworlds.com/halloween/
You can carve a virtual pumpkin. Very realistic and fun! Plus you can email it to others.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 As the pumpkin dries out, it shrinks a bit and often the lid winds up becoming too small and falling through the hole. Instead of cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin and making a lid, flip it over (watch you don't break the stem) and cut the hole in the bottom. You can set a candle in a holder on a plate and the pumpkin can be placed on top. (It's a good idea to cut a small vent in the top of the pumpkin on the backside to let out smoke.)
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Don't empty out the guts of your pumpkin. Make a big wide mouth and pull the seeds and stuff halfway out through the mouth. Result: instant barfing pumpkin!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Use sand paper to scuff the outside of the pumpkin. Then, with a sponge, add water that's been colored with food coloring. It's great way to add color to your Halloween theme.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 After you draw what you want on the pumpkin, take a needle or toothpick and make little holes around were your outline is. This will make it easier to cut out the sections.