Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
How to carve a pumpkin
(four easy steps to carve your very own unique pumpkin for Halloween)
1. Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the crown.
2. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibres and put aside to compost later.
Then remove some of the flesh. for baking in pies or blended for soups!
3. With a marker pen, draw a simple outline of a face on the pumpkin. Use a small serrated knife to cut out the eyes, nose and mouth. Always cut away from you in case the knife slips.
4. Pop a tea light inside the pumpkin, light it and replace the crown.
10 pumpkin carving tips ·
However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally traditionally precede the autumnal festivities.
1. Choose your pumpkin
The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a devilishly different canvas.
2. Mark out a template to perfect your spooky design
Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin craft Secure your chosen style to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking small prick holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve.
3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin
Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.
4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter
Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!
5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through
This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.
6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life
Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!
7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects
They'll also look great during the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.
8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon?
The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!
9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out
Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.
10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing?
Try making simple shapes like stars or spooky creatures with different kitchen utensils such as pastry cutters or an apple corer,Raid the tool box to try your hand using drill bits to add polka dots, files to graze areas for background effects when lit
Anything can potentially become a tool to create a unique and personal pumpkin.
How to carve a pumpkin
(four easy steps to carve your very own unique pumpkin for Halloween)
1. Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the crown.
2. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibres and put aside to compost later.
Then remove some of the flesh. for baking in pies or blended for soups!
3. With a marker pen, draw a simple outline of a face on the pumpkin. Use a small serrated knife to cut out the eyes, nose and mouth. Always cut away from you in case the knife slips.
4. Pop a tea light inside the pumpkin, light it and replace the crown.
10 pumpkin carving tips ·
However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally traditionally precede the autumnal festivities.
1. Choose your pumpkin
The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a devilishly different canvas.
2. Mark out a template to perfect your spooky design
Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin craft Secure your chosen style to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking small prick holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve.
3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin
Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.
4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter
Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!
5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through
This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.
6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life
Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!
7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects
They'll also look great during the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.
8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon?
The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!
9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out
Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.
10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing?
Try making simple shapes like stars or spooky creatures with different kitchen utensils such as pastry cutters or an apple corer,Raid the tool box to try your hand using drill bits to add polka dots, files to graze areas for background effects when lit
Anything can potentially become a tool to create a unique and personal pumpkin.