I Love Iowa Heart Lettering Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Plan and transfer the layout

   Pick a large pumpkin with a smooth, flat-ish face so the letters read cleanly. Print or draw the I, heart, and IA at a size that leaves at least a finger-width of skin between each shape. Tape the pattern on and poke closely spaced dots along every outline with a pin or awl. Step back and check the two rows look level before you cut anything.

2. 2

   Open the lid and clean out

   Have an adult cut a lid from the bottom or back rather than the top, which keeps the carved face wall unbroken and easier to light. Scoop the seeds and scrape the inside of the front wall down to about one inch thick. A thinner wall makes the letters far easier to saw and lets more light through. Blot the inside dry so your pattern lines stay crisp.

3. 3

   Saw the simple shapes first

   Start with the I on the top row and the I on the bottom row, since straight-sided letters are forgiving. Use a long, thin pumpkin saw and let the blade do the work with gentle back-and-forth strokes, keeping it perpendicular to the surface. Cut the heart next, working around its curves in short passes and easing into the point at the bottom. Push each freed piece inward and out.

4. 4

   Carve the A and save its crossbar for last

   Outline and cut the two outer legs of the A first, leaving the small enclosed triangle intact. That untouched triangle acts as a brace, so the surrounding walls set up before you weaken the middle. Once the legs are fully open, carefully saw out the crossbar opening with a long thin blade to reach the tight inside corners. Support the rind with your free hand as the last piece comes free.

5. 5

   Clean edges and add the light

   Trim any ragged edges with a small detail saw or a paring cut so the letters look sharp when lit. Wipe the whole face and rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying. Set a battery LED puck or a string of LEDs inside, never a candle, and aim for warm white to mimic that amber glow. Test in a dark room and adjust the light position so all shapes read evenly.

6. 6

   Stage and photograph

   Place the pumpkin on a flat surface like a stone step or patio for a clean base. A slightly damp surface picks up the glow and reflects it back, just as in the concept image. Shoot at dusk with the LED as your main light and your phone flash off. Take a few frames from straight on so the message stays readable.

Written with AI to match this design