I Love Pennsylvania Heart Lettering Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Transfer the layout and check spacing

   Print or draw the design so the I sits left, the heart tops the center, and the P and A anchor the bottom row. Tape the pattern to a smooth area of the pumpkin and poke the outlines with a pin tool or push pin. Step back and confirm the letters are level and evenly spaced before you cut anything. Mark a tiny bridge across the top of the A's inner triangle now so you remember to leave it.

2. 2

   Open a lid and clean out the pulp

   Since every element cuts through the rind, cut a removable lid from the bottom or back rather than the top so the front stays intact. Scoop out the seeds and thin the inside wall behind the design to about one inch. A thinner wall is much easier to cut cleanly and lets more light through. Scrape until the area behind the letters and heart feels smooth.

3. 3

   Cut the heart and the I

   Start with the large heart because it is the simplest shape and gives you a feel for the rind thickness. Use a small saw tool and let it do the work with gentle strokes, keeping the blade straight for tidy edges. Then cut the I, working slowly around the serifs at top and bottom. Push the pieces out gently from the inside once each shape is fully cut.

4. 4

   Cut the P, then tackle the A

   Carve the P next, cutting the outer curve and the enclosed loop so the counter drops free. For the A, cut the two outer legs and the crossbar first, then approach the inner triangle from both sides of the peak so the cuts meet evenly. Leave the small bridge you marked so the triangle piece stays anchored to the pumpkin. Take your time here since this is the trickiest part.

5. 5

   Clean edges and add a dim glow

   Trim any ragged edges with a paring knife for crisp letters. If you want the counter of the A or areas around the letters to glow softly instead of going fully dark, peel just the outer skin there so a dim orange comes through. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying and keep the shapes sharp.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set a battery LED puck or string light inside rather than a candle, which is safer and gives steadier light for these open shapes. Warm white or orange LEDs read best against the pumpkin. Shoot in low evening light on a porch or wood surface so the glowing letters pop. Reposition the light if any letter looks uneven and enjoy your state pride display.