By Roby Tan
Spooky season is here. What could be better than scaring off neighbors with a spooktacular jack-o’-lantern or showcasing Halloween spirit with festive fall carvings? Here’s a step-by-step tutorial broken down for all the beginner pumpkin carvers.
Materials needed:
- A pretty pumpkin
- Pumpkin template
- Sharp knife
- Scoop or scraper
- Permanent marker
- Candle or tealight candles
- Trash bag or old newspapers/mats
Directions:
- Remember, safety first. Have all the materials ready. It’s best to work outside or a place where mess is permissible. Make sure to lay out newspapers or mats to make the cleaning job easier.
- With a sharp knife, cut off the top or the crown of the pumpkin. Choose a pumpkin with a flat bottom so it won’t roll away and will stay in place. Don’t cut it at a slanted angle; cut it up and down until you create a circle on top. Set the top aside for it will be used as the pumpkin lid. Try holding the pumpkin in your lap to keep it steady. Some prefer to put it on the floor though.
- Scoop out the seeds, fibers and some flesh of the pumpkin with a spoon, scoop or scraper. Set them aside to later dispose of them in the trash.
- Draw an outline of a pumpkin template of your choice with a marker and give it a spooky face. If drawing the outline by scratch is difficult, make a stencil out of the template and then trace it onto the pumpkin.
- Carefully cut the outline preferably with a small sharp knife. Again, cut it up and down and not at a slanted angle.
- Get creative. Add pumpkin embellishments like glitter, gems, hair accessories and more.
- Put a lighted candle or a tealight in the pumpkin and put the crown back in place as the lid.
- Don’t forget to clean your area. Wash and put all the materials back in their place and dispose of all the trash.
As a beginner, don’t rush into things. It’s okay to make mistakes; carve a simple pumpkin with straight lines if you have to. Take your time and handle sharp objects with care.
To lengthen the lifespan of the pumpkin, keep it in the fridge during the day and take it out at night. Apply Vaseline petroleum jelly or vegetable oil inside the pumpkin to keep it from molding. The smell of pumpkins may be revolting to some so sprinkling a bit of cinnamon or peppermint could help mask the stench. Replacing the tealight candle with a scented candle also helps the pumpkin smell better.
Share this fangtastic fun-filled fall festivity with loved ones for a boo-tiful at home decoration. Remember to stay safe and have some skele-fun this Halloween.
