I Love Arkansas Heart Lettering Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a round pumpkin and open the back

   Choose a tall, evenly round pumpkin with a smooth front panel wide enough for two rows of lettering. Cut a lid or an access hole in the back rather than the top so the front face stays uninterrupted. Scoop the insides and thin the front wall to about one inch so your saw glides through cleanly. A thinner wall also lets the finished letters glow evenly.

2. 2

   Size and transfer the layout

   Print or draw the I and heart on the top row and the letters A and R on the bottom row, keeping a clear gap between A and R. Tape your stencil flat against the front, snipping the paper edges so it hugs the curve. Poke closely spaced dots along every outline with a pin or awl. Peel the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker so you can see the full shape before cutting.

3. 3

   Cut the small letters first

   Start with the blocky serif I and the two AR letters using a fine carving saw held straight into the shell. Cut with slow, steady strokes and let the blade do the work rather than forcing it. Work the interior angles of the A and R carefully, meeting your cuts at the corners instead of twisting the blade. Gently push each freed piece inward and out through the back opening.

4. 4

   Cut the heart from both sides of the V

   Save the large heart for last since it removes the most material. Carve the two rounded top humps first, then work each side down toward the bottom point. Cut the lower V-point from both directions and meet in the middle rather than pivoting the blade at the tip, which is where a slip would fracture. Take your time and keep your free hand clear of the blade path.

5. 5

   Clean the edges and add glow

   Trim any ragged edges with a small detail blade so each letter reads crisp when lit. If you want a softer halo around the shapes, lightly peel a thin border of skin just outside each cutout to let a dim orange glow bleed through. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying. Wipe away marker lines on the surface.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED puck or string inside and never use a candle, since the tall interior traps heat. Place the pumpkin on a step or ledge and check that the light spreads evenly across all four shapes. Shoot in low ambient light so the letters read bright and the surrounding skin stays dark. Angle the camera straight on so the two rows line up neatly.

Written with AI to match this design