Sep 14, 2026

I Love Oklahoma Heart Lettering Pumpkin

Block letters reading "I" and "OK" frame a large heart in this I Love Oklahoma pumpkin carving idea, the two-row layout cut through the rind so warm light radiates from each letterform and the heart opening. The rounded O carries an inner oval island, and the K's angled inner leg creates a narrow wedge gap that benefits from a very thin saw blade. Cut the heart first since it is the largest and most forgiving shape, then work through the letters from left to right to maintain steady hand position.

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

oklahoma words artistic cutout heart lettering state-pride usa

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Want to try this?

Want to try this? Grab a stencil and give this cheerful state-pride pumpkin a go.

Some experience helps \u00b7 Lettering + cutouts

Read our carving tips

Similar stencils

Similar stencils pair block letters with a big heart cutout.

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 clean block lettering laid out in two rows around a large heart, all cut fully through the rind so light pours from each shape. Keep the layout balanced by templating the whole design first, then cut the big heart before the smaller letters. The O needs a floating inner island and the K has a narrow wedge, so plan for a very thin blade on those spots.

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 the pumpkin and print the template
Choose a pumpkin with a wide, fairly flat front so the two rows of lettering read cleanly. Print or draw the I, heart, O, and K sized to fit within the flattest area. Tape the template on and smooth it against the curve, snipping the paper edges so it lies flat. Check that the heart sits centered above the O and K before you commit.
Open a lid and clean the shell
Have an adult cut a lid on the top or the back and scoop out the insides. Thin the inside wall behind the whole design to about one inch so cuts go easier and light spreads well. A back opening keeps the front skin uninterrupted and hides the LED. Scrape until the wall feels even under your fingers.
Transfer the letters and heart
Poke the outlines through the paper with a pin or transfer tool, following every edge of the I, heart, O, and K. Pay special attention to the small oval inside the O and the angled inner leg of the K. When you peel the paper away, connect the dots with a marker so you have a clear line to follow. Double check the inner O island stays drawn as its own shape.
Cut the heart first
The heart is the largest and most forgiving shape, so start there to warm up your hand. Use gentle sawing pressure and let the tool do the work, keeping the blade angled straight in. Work around the point of the heart slowly so it stays crisp. Push the piece out from inside once the cut is complete.
Cut the letters left to right
Move to the I, then the O, then the K, keeping a steady hand position as you go. For the O, cut the outer ring first, then carefully free the inner oval island and set it aside so the O reads correctly. For the K, use a very thin saw blade to reach into the narrow wedge where the angled leg meets the stem. Keep the letter walls a bit thick so nothing snaps.
Light it and take the photo
Drop in a battery LED, warm white or orange, and set it low inside so the glow rises evenly through the letters and heart. Skip candles, since open flame is a fire risk and can scorch the thin letter edges. Set the pumpkin on a flat surface at dusk and shoot slightly to the side to catch the depth of each cutout. Rotate the light until the heart is the brightest focal point.

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 untouched orange skin across the whole face stays dark and frames the message.
Peel & shade
Lightly shave a thin border just outside each letter for a soft dim halo if you want extra glow.
Cut through
The I, the heart, and the O and K letterforms are cut fully through for the brightest light.

Learn the carving basics

Before you start cutting

How do I keep the inside of the O from falling out?

The O has a floating oval island in its center that must stay attached to read as a letter. Since this is a concept image, on a real pumpkin you would leave small skin bridges or simply keep the inner oval as uncut skin rather than a separate piece. If you do cut the ring fully, gently press the freed island back or support it, but leaving it as untouched or peeled skin is the safest choice.

What blade handles the narrow gap in the K?

The K's angled inner leg creates a tight wedge that a standard saw can crowd. Use the thinnest detail saw blade you have and make short, patient strokes. Cut from both directions toward the point of the wedge so you do not overshoot and crack the letter.

Should I cut the heart or the letters first?

Start with the heart because it is the largest and most forgiving shape, which lets you settle into a rhythm. Once it is open, work the letters from left to right so your hand stays in a comfortable, steady position. Saving the smallest and trickiest details for after the big cut reduces the chance of a slip.