Pumpkin Carving Ideas.
FUN and FRIENDLY!
It's always fun to get the kids involved in carving a pumpkin. I always get the cheap set of tools and a fun pattern and dig in! There's something about getting messy and creating a work of art. Most importantly your spending quality time with your kids and they'll remember it their whole lives. Instead of the usual "scary" pumpkin carvings this year, try something creative, inventive, unique, fun and one of a kind!! There are tons of patterns out there and here is a good start for carving images that are rated "safe". These are especially great for your kids who might not need more scary images in their little minds.
Pick the right pumpkin!
Photo Credit: ReneS Rene Schwietzke on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
The best pumpkin for beginners is one with as flat a surface as you can find. The flat part being big enough for your pattern with not too much curving.
1. Prepare your pattern
Photo Credit: rieh / Rie H on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
Tape your pattern to your pumpkin, making sure it's as flat as possible. Get a pin and poke holes all along the lines on your pattern.
2. Connect the Dots
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ideadesigns. © 2011 All rights reserved.
Then remove the paper and connect the dots with a pen or marker. Make note which parts will be cut out and which will remain.
3. Start Carving
Photo Credit: indigoprime Nick Taylor on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
Carving Steps
1 Select a fresh pumpkin. Some prefer their pumpkins low and round, while others like them tall and oval-shaped. If you already have a pattern remember it's shape when picking one out.
2 - Draw a circle or hexagon on top of the pumpkin, 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 carving tool. Use a back-and-forth slicing motion to cut through the thick skin. Remember to make it angled or the lid will fall right through.
4 - Remove the stem end, which will act as a lid, scrape off any pulp. I like to cut a small hole in the lid for heat escape.
5 - Use a large spoon to scoop out pulp from inside. Hold the spoon by its bowl to get extra leverage while scooping.
6 - Draw a pattern for the face on the clean pumpkin with a felt-tip pen, or punch dots into the skin using a sharp point or pin. Then connect the dots with a marker. Make sure shapes are large enough, it's hard to cut out tiny features. You can use transfer paper behind a pattern to draw your shape, just make sure it's transfering.
7 - Cut your pattern all the way through the skin of the pumpkin.
8 - Push the cut-out features gently from the inside of the pumpkin and discard the pieces.
9 - Place a short candle inside the pumpkin to create a nice glow. (Or use a battery powered light.)
10 - You want to add Vaseline to preserve the pumpkin inside and out.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ideadesigns. © 2011 All rights reserved.
3 Pumpkin Carvings
Noah's Ark, Flag, Zebra (photos by ©ideadesigns 2011)
Cleaning out the pumpkin. When you cut the lid, cut at an angle so it doesn't fall inside.
Pumkin Carving with Tools
Dremel Circles Pumpkin Carve
Photo Credit: frykitty / Cat Winterfox on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
A painted pumpkin (pearl), dremel cut circles, sharpie marker.
Big Pumpkin Eats Little Pumpkin
Photo Credit: phil_g / Phil! Gold on Flickr. SA, CC Some rights reserved.
Photo: JoshBerglund19 on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
Photo: kreg.steppe on Flickr. SA, CC Some rights reserved.
Drill tool can make circles, you can vary the sizes or pattern.
Photo: Bob n Renee on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
THREE CROSSES pattern
For more christian pumpkin patterns click: Bible Patterns. Jesus and Child; Noah's Ark; Jesus Face and more.
Photo: Ben+Sam / Ben W on Flickr. SA, CC Some rights reserved.
Square Holes
Photo: idogcow / r reeves on Flickr. CC Some rights reserved.
Pumpkin Carving Prayer
Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:
Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)
Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)
Open my eyes so Your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)
I'm so sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)
Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)-we did rectangles
Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)
Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)
Kid Friendly Carving
Hamburger Pumpkin
Photo Credit: dane brian on Flickr. SA, CC Some rights reserved.
Variety of Pumpkin Themes (Video)
Pumpkin Patterns
Fun and Unique Pumpkin Patterns
- Christian Pumpkin Patterns
- Purchase Patterns
- Carving Tools
- Tools ideas you can use for carving.
- Basic Carving
- Learn the basic carving rules
Star Wars Helmet
Photo Credit: Four Kitchens / Web Chefs on Flickr. SA, CC Some rights reserved.
Carving Set
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Set Lantern Decoration Kit
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 06/04/2012)
Kids Pumpkin Patterns
More Pumpkin Lenses
What do you love about carving a pumpkin? What have you carved in the past?
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kare2share
Nov 3, 2010 @ 1:40 pm | delete
- What a thoroughly enjoyable lens! You've inspired me to try out some of these ideas next year. I appreciate your helpful tips and your alternatives to ?scary? pumpkin carvings. Thanks for sharing!
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vallain Oct 26, 2010 @ 2:18 pm | delete
- You've done a wonderful job covering this topic.
I've lensrolled it to my Jack-O-Lantern Ideas lens.
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lestroischenes Oct 25, 2010 @ 6:15 am | delete
- Excellent lens and so complete. I'm saving this to follow when I get going with my own pumpkin. Especially interested in the lino-cutting tools - no wonder I struggle with a kitchen knife. Many thanks.
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lilymom24
Oct 23, 2010 @ 5:12 pm | delete
- What a fun lens. We just carved our pumpkins a few weeks ago and the kids had a blast.
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funcook
Oct 23, 2010 @ 9:54 am | delete
- Wow - inspiring and impressive
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Tipi
Oct 22, 2010 @ 11:30 pm | delete
- A very cool pumpkin carving lens. I'm so glad you added the link on my veggie art lens so I would come to see this. Love it!
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Ladymermaid
Oct 20, 2010 @ 10:13 am | delete
- wow...lovely ideas :)
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teriann
Oct 17, 2010 @ 8:55 am | delete
- Fabulous info. I shared some love and 'squidliked' it and adding this lens to my 'pumpkin decorating' lens.
Thanks for the inspiration.
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ideadesigns
Oct 23, 2010 @ 12:35 am | delete
- Also added yours too thanks!
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annel
Oct 16, 2010 @ 7:12 pm | delete
- So cool and handy! I can do it myself now :)
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CoolFoto Oct 16, 2010 @ 1:56 pm | delete
- You made it look fun and easy. Thanks!
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nukemdomis Oct 9, 2010 @ 5:07 am | delete
- I will be adding your lens to my "Not another list of Halloween pumpkin patterns" lensroll and Plexo module. Thanks for sharing the designs.
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ideadesigns
Oct 12, 2010 @ 1:41 pm | delete
- Thank you so much, same here. :)
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Sojourn
Oct 6, 2010 @ 8:06 pm | delete
- One of the best lenses I've seen all day. I love the layout, the background used for your text, the great patterns for pumpkin carving and the neat ideas even kids can use. Really well done and a lot of fun!
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ideadesigns
Oct 6, 2010 @ 8:44 pm | delete
- We've done a few of these patterns ourselves. Thanks Sojourn that's really nice of you.
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Susan52
Oct 6, 2010 @ 6:23 pm | delete
- Very cool lens. I love the pumpkin carving prayer - what a fun family activity! Leaving a SquidAngel blessing for putting me in the mood to get pumpkin innards all over myself! LOL
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ideadesigns
Oct 6, 2010 @ 8:39 pm | delete
- Messy but worth that glowing surprise at the end. That is special thank you Susan :)
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bdkz
Oct 5, 2010 @ 4:58 pm | delete
- Congratulations! You've been SquidBoo Blasted. Happy Halloween!
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ideadesigns
Oct 5, 2010 @ 7:27 pm | delete
- That's cool to see Bonnie! Thanks :)
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janices7 Oct 5, 2010 @ 10:30 am | delete
- Cute ideas....love the hamburger pumpkin under the photos section. Great of you to share all the patterns.
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About Me
Bob the Tomato
Cute Veggie Tale Character
Easy way to decorate a pumpkin is to paint or hot glue decorations on.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ideadesigns. © 2011 All rights reserved.
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Speedball Cutters
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Pumpkin Carving
by Edward Palmer
Pumpkin Carving
Amazon Price: $3.67 (as of 06/04/2012)
Some ideas in book: Skull & Crossbones, Frankenstein, Crescent Moon, Gypsy, Batty Wings, Lion, Wildcat, and Wolf Man, "Masque" which is simple, abstract, with flame like openings
Carving Tools
Professional Wood Carving Chisels with Cloth Pouch - 18 Piece
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 06/04/2012)
