Some of my favorite things about fall time is the beautifully colored trees, the smell of the brisk fall air and of course, carving pumpkins. The key to a successful jack-o’-lantern is using the right tools, a template and preserving it to last longer than a few days.
The Right Tools
For more exquisite designs you can use power tools and woodworking tools, however the tools you can buy at most retail stores designed specifically for pumpkins are great for basic designs. A good seed scooper and a few knives are all you need. Most places sell these tool kits for less than $10.
Use A Template
You don’t need to be an artist to create an awesome design. The easiest way to make a masterpiece is to google search for a jack-o’-lantern template. You’ll find endless amounts of possibilities and will be surprised with what you can create.
Attach Template With Water
A great trick to attach your template is to wet the paper and smooth it around the side of your pumpkin. This saves time from taping or tracing.
Secure Template with Plastic
Once you’ve gotten the creases out of the paper adhere the template on with some household saran wrap. While carving you may notice your template drying up and starting to crinkle. Simply remove the plastic and reattach with more water. This will insure your template stays in place.
Cut Away
Start with smaller holes and work towards the bigger ones. Cut inside the lines and work your way outwards. Remember, you can always make the small holes bigger if they’re not big enough.
Cut Until Complete
Cut out your entire template until you’re complete. Once finished you can remove the remaining paper and saran wrap
Preservation is Key
The trick to making your new creation last longer is to coat the freshly exposed interior with petroleum jelly. This will keep your pumpkin moist and help prevent mold.
Let there be light
Battery operated candles will work best to illuminate your design so you won’t need to worry about petroleum jelly melting all over your candle. Safety First!
