Glowing Haunted House Pumpkin with Window and Roof Slots

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Prep the pumpkin

   Cut a wide lid from the bottom of the pumpkin so it sits flat and the light source is easy to place. Scoop out seeds and stringy pulp until the inner wall is about an inch thick. Wipe the outer surface dry before transferring your pattern.

2. 2

   Transfer the house outline

   Tape a printed template to the pumpkin and use a poking tool or stylus to trace all the aperture edges through the paper. Remove the template and connect the dots with a marker. Keep the wall strips and window dividers clearly marked so you know what stays.

3. 3

   Cut the roof slots first

   Use a small detail saw to cut the rectangular slots along the roofline before anything else. These establish the peak of the house and give you a stable reference point. Cut inward from a starting hole rather than pressing straight through to maintain control.

4. 4

   Add windows and door

   Work downward, cutting each window rectangle and the door opening as separate pieces. Keep the window divider strips at least three-quarters of an inch wide so they hold their shape. Remove each piece cleanly and use a damp cloth to wipe sawdust from the cuts.

5. 5

   Check structural integrity

   Gently press along the wall areas to confirm nothing flexes or shifts. If any divider feels thin, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into the cut edges to slow drying and add a day or two of display life. Smooth any ragged edges with a linoleum tool.

6. 6

   Light and display

   Place a battery-operated LED candle inside through the bottom opening and replace the lid. The warm glow through the window and door slots should look like lit rooms from a distance. Display at eye level on a railing or step where the silhouette reads cleanly against the dark.

Written with AI to match this design