Sep 14, 2026

I Love Wisconsin Heart Lettering Pumpkin

Displayed on a farmhouse kitchen table beside a bowl of apples, this Wisconsin jack-o-lantern glows with I, a heart, and WI in large rounded block letters cut all the way through the rind. The W takes up most of the lower row and requires four smooth diagonal strokes meeting at two interior peaks; keep those inner peaks slightly rounded to prevent the tips from snapping off. Using a melon baller to thin the pumpkin wall evenly from inside before carving ensures that all four shapes, the I, heart, W, and I, glow at the same brightness. Set near a window so natural afternoon light supplements the candle glow and makes the design easy to photograph.

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

wisconsin words artistic cutout heart lettering state-pride usa

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Want to try this?

Show off your home state with bold glowing block letters anyone can trace and cut.

Some experience helps · Cutout lettering + wall thinning

Read our carving tips

Similar stencils

Browse state-pride and lettering stencils to swap in your own two-letter abbreviation.

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, evenly lit cutouts: four separate shapes, the I, a heart, and the W and I of WI, all cut fully through the rind so they glow at matching brightness. The plan is to print or draw the layout as a stencil, thin the pumpkin wall from the inside first, then cut the smaller shapes before the large W so the face stays sturdy 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

Plan the layout and open the pumpkin
Choose a tall, smooth pumpkin with a wide flat front for lettering. An adult should cut a lid or, better, a bottom access hole so the pumpkin sits flat on the table. Scoop out all seeds and pulp with a sturdy scraper. Clean the front wall well so your stencil will lie flat.
Thin the front wall from inside
Use a metal spoon or melon baller to shave the inside of the front wall down to a roughly one inch thickness across the whole area where the letters will sit. Work slowly and check thickness by pressing gently from outside. An even wall is what makes the I, heart, W, and second I glow at the same brightness. Keep the surrounding wall thicker so the pumpkin stays strong.
Transfer the stencil
Print I, a heart, W, and I in large rounded block letters sized to fill the front. Tape the stencil in place, then poke the outlines with a pin tool or transfer them with a washable marker. Space the shapes so the W in the lower row is the widest, with the I letters framing it. Double check spacing before you cut, since letters are hard to fix once opened.
Cut the small shapes first
Start with the top I and the heart, then the two lower I strokes. Use a small serrated carving saw and make slow, controlled cuts, letting the blade do the work. Push cut pieces out from the inside to avoid tearing the front. Saving the large W for last keeps the face rigid while you handle the fussier shapes.
Carve the W with rounded peaks
The W needs four smooth diagonal strokes that meet at two interior peaks. Cut the outer edges first, then the inner V notches. Keep those inner peaks slightly rounded rather than sharp, since needle tips snap off easily. Take short strokes and reposition often for smooth curves.
Light it and photograph
Set a battery LED puck or string inside; skip real candles near thin cutouts. Place the pumpkin near a window so soft afternoon light fills in the design for photos. Wipe the cut edges clean and touch up any rough spots with the saw. A little petroleum jelly on the cut edges slows drying and keeps letters crisp longer.

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 full orange skin around and between the letters stays untouched and dark, framing the words.
Peel & shade
Optional: lightly skin-peel a thin outline halo around the heart for a soft dim glow that makes it pop.
Cut through
The I, the heart, and the W and I are cut fully through the rind for the brightest, even light.

Learn the carving basics

Before you start cutting

How do I get all four shapes to glow at the same brightness?

Even glow comes from an even wall, not just the cuts. Thin the entire inside of the front to about one inch before carving so light passes through consistently. Check the thickness by pressing from outside as you scrape.

How do I keep the W's inner peaks from breaking?

The two interior peaks where the diagonals meet are the weak points. Cut them as slightly rounded points instead of sharp needles, and carve the inner notches last so the shape stays supported while you work. Use short, gentle saw strokes near those tips.

Should I use a candle since the caption mentions candle glow?

Use a battery LED light instead of a candle. The cutouts are large and the wall is thinned, so an open flame is a fire risk and heats the rind unevenly. An LED puck gives steady, even light that photographs well near a window.