I Love Idaho Heart Lettering Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a tall, flat-faced pumpkin

   Choose a pumpkin with a broad, even front so all four shapes sit on one plane. A rounder, less ribbed face keeps the letters from distorting. Wipe the surface clean and dry it before you mark anything. Set it on a stable work surface at a comfortable height.

2. 2

   Cut the lid and clean out the inside

   Have an adult cut a lid from the top or the back at an angle so it rests without falling in. Scoop out all seeds and pulp with a sturdy scraper. Focus on the front wall and thin it to about half an inch using a fleshing loop. An even inner wall lets light pass through all four shapes at the same brightness.

3. 3

   Transfer the layout

   Print or draw your I on the top row and I and D on the bottom row, with a solid heart in the top right. Tape the pattern flat and poke holes along every outline to transfer it, or trace lightly with a washable marker. Space the characters so at least an inch of rind separates each one. Step back and check that the two rows line up before you cut.

4. 4

   Carve the small shapes first

   Start with the letters using a fine carving saw, cutting slowly and letting the blade do the work. Do the letter I on top, then the I and D on the bottom row. Push each freed piece gently inward or out. Leaving the largest opening for later keeps the face rigid while you work the tighter cuts.

5. 5

   Cut the heart last

   The heart is the biggest single opening, so save it for the end when the surrounding rind is still supported. Cut smoothly around its curves and lift the piece out. Clean up any ragged edges with your saw tip so the outline reads sharp from a distance. Take your time on the point at the bottom so it stays crisp.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph at dusk

   Drop in one or two battery LED lights and skip real candles, especially with a fully cut-through face. Set the pumpkin outdoors on a step or stump as the sky goes dark. Rotate it so the letters and heart face the sidewalk. Shoot at dusk when the amber glow contrasts nicely with the deep blue sky.

Written with AI to match this design