Sep 14, 2026

I Love Arkansas Heart Lettering Pumpkin

A blocky I, a rounded heart, and the abbreviation AR fill the face of this fireside pumpkin in a two-row cutout design, the warm-style serif letters giving the carving a friendly, approachable look when backlit. The large open heart dominates the upper right and is the element most likely to fracture along its lower V-point if the saw slips, so cut that point from both sides and meet in the middle rather than trying to pivot the blade. AR's two letters share a generous gap between them that keeps their outer walls thick and the whole jack-o-lantern structurally sound.

This is an AI-generated concept image: a realistic, carvable design idea rather than a photo of a finished carve. AI concepts are always labeled and sit out the leaderboard and the contest.

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Medium Words & Letters Artistic Classic Cutout

arkansas words artistic cutout heart lettering state-pride usa

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Want to try this?

Carve a cheerful I heart AR and show off your state pride on the porch.

Some experience helps \u00b7 Letter cutouts + clean curves

Read our carving tips

Similar stencils

Browse similar lettering and heart stencils to swap in your own state.

Tools for this approach

Our suggestions for trying a similar carve. Start with what you already have.

Elmchee Pumpkin Carving Kit
13-piece kit with carrying case
Saws for the larger cutouts, plus a scoop for hollowing. Covers both jobs in one kit.
View on Amazon
Speedball 4131 Lino Cutter Set
Handle + 5 interchangeable cutters
Interchangeable cutters for peeling and shading the face. Useful for the finer details.
View on Amazon

A little extra help

Our tips for carving a similar design

The core trick here is treating each letter and the heart as its own clean cutout, laid out in two tidy rows so the outer pumpkin walls stay thick between shapes. Since this is an AI concept and no real pumpkin exists, think of it as a plan you could follow on your own gourd. Keep the gaps between letters generous and cut the big heart last so the shell stays firm while you work.

Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by the image above. These are our suggestions, not instructions from the uploader. This approach to the AI concept has not been tested on a real pumpkin.

From pumpkin to porch

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.
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 the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Gather your supplies

Check things off as you get ready.

Work on a stable surface, keep your free hand out of the cutting path, and have an adult handle sharp tools.

Three levels of light

Leave intact
The broad orange face around and between the letters stays untouched and dark, framing the message.
Peel & shade
An optional thin skin-peeled border just outside each shape gives a soft dim halo.
Cut through
The I, the heart, and the A and R are cut fully through for the brightest glow.

Learn the carving basics

Before you start cutting

How do I keep the letters from crowding together?

Lay out both rows before cutting and leave a clear gap between A and R, which keeps their outer walls thick and the shell strong. Center the I under the left edge and the heart in the upper right so the top row balances. Spacing on paper first saves you from a cramped, hard-to-read result.

What is the safest way to carve the heart's bottom point?

Cut the lower V-point from both sides and let the two cuts meet in the middle. Trying to pivot the blade at the sharp tip is where the shell tends to fracture. Slow, straight strokes into each side give you a crisp, intact point.

Can I swap AR for my own state abbreviation?

Yes, the two-row layout works for any two-letter state code. Just keep the letters similar in width to A and R so the spacing and wall thickness stay balanced. Resize the stencil to fit your pumpkin's front panel before transferring.