Curled-Tail Surprised Ghost Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Prep the pumpkin and pick your side

   Choose a tall pumpkin with a smooth, flat front panel for the design. Cut a lid from the bottom or the back rather than the top so the stem stays intact, then scoop the walls on the carving side down to about one inch thick. A thinner wall makes the many curved cuts far easier to steer. Let an adult handle the large scooping and any deep cuts.

2. 2

   Transfer the ghost outline

   Tape your stencil flat against the front and poke the outline with a pin or use transfer paper. Mark the spiral tail at the top, the two round eyes, the open mouth, and the two small side-pointing hands. Take a moment to note which slivers between shapes are bridges that must stay uncut. Darkening those bridges with a pencil now helps you avoid slicing them later.

3. 3

   Carve the inner spiral first

   Start with the tight curl at the very top using a fine detail blade. Make short, gentle strokes and turn the pumpkin, not the blade, as you follow the curve. Because this is the most delicate part, cutting it while the rest of the pumpkin is still solid keeps the curled tip strongly supported. Clear the small pieces as you go so you can see your lines.

4. 4

   Open the eyes and mouth

   Move to the two round eyes and the open mouth in the middle of the body. Push the blade straight in and follow each shape all the way around before popping the plug out from the front. Keep the thin ribs of rind between the eyes and mouth intact, since they define the surprised expression. Test-fit each piece and trim edges clean for crisp light lines.

5. 5

   Cut the body and tiny hands last

   Now open the large body sections and the two small side hands, saving the biggest openings for last so the wall stays rigid as long as possible. Cut the little hands carefully; keep them attached to the body along their inner edge so they do not fall away. If any bridge feels weak, leave it slightly wider rather than risk a break. Gently sand or bevel the back of the cut edges to help light spread.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED tea light or a small puck light inside, never a flame, especially with these wide open cutouts. Position the light low and slightly forward so the glow fills the body, eyes, and mouth evenly. Shoot your photo at dusk against a dark door or wall to make the orange pop. A dab of petroleum jelly on the cut edges slows drying and keeps the shapes sharp overnight.