Flying Witch Across a Round Moon Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a wide pumpkin and clean it out

   Choose a large, round pumpkin with a smooth front panel big enough for the whole moon. Cut a lid from the back or bottom rather than the top so the stem stays intact on the front. Scrape the inside wall behind your design down to about one inch thick so light passes through easily. A thinner wall makes both the peeled glow and the cutouts brighter.

2. 2

   Transfer the moon and silhouette together

   Tape your stencil flat against the front and trace the full circle first, then lay the witch, cat, and broom on top exactly where they cross it. Use a transfer tool or poke dots along every line so you can see the design once the paper comes off. Double check that the broomstick runs all the way across the circle, because it is the bridge that holds the two halves together. Mark clearly which areas are moon and which are silhouette so you do not cut the wrong part.

3. 3

   Score and peel the moon area

   Before cutting anything through, decide how much of the moon you want as full cutout versus a softer peeled glow. You can peel a thin outer ring of the moon for a dim halo and reserve the center for full cutting. Use a lino or ribbon tool to shave off just the orange skin in the peel zones, leaving the flesh underneath. Go slow and keep the depth even so the glow looks smooth.

4. 4

   Cut the moon, saving the bridge

   Cut out the open parts of the moon with a small saw blade, working in short controlled strokes and leaving the witch, hat, cloak, and cat as solid uncut skin. Cut around the broomstick so it stays as an attached band of pumpkin wall spanning the circle. Remove the moon in small chunks rather than one big piece to avoid cracking the thin silhouette shapes. Save any large openings near the edges for last so the wall stays rigid while you work.

5. 5

   Refine the silhouette edges

   Clean up the outline of the witch's pointed hat, flowing cloak, and the cat's arched tail so the shapes are crisp against the light. Trim tiny stray bits and smooth the cut edges with the tip of your knife. Check the broomstick from inside to make sure it is still firmly connected on both ends. If any silhouette detail feels fragile, leave a little extra flesh behind it for support.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph at dusk

   Drop in a battery LED light or two, never a candle, since the enclosed shape and thin wall trap heat. Set the pumpkin somewhere the moon glow can be seen straight on, like a small table on a balcony or porch. Shoot photos right at dusk when the sky still has color but the cutout reads bright. Rotate the LED around inside to find the most even fill across the moon.