Minnesota State Map Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick and prep the pumpkin

   Choose a large, round pumpkin with a smooth, flat front panel so the map has room to sit clearly. Cut a lid or a bottom access hole and scoop the insides, then thin the front wall to about one inch with a scraper or loop tool. A thinner wall is much easier to cut cleanly and lets more light through. Wipe the front dry before you transfer your pattern.

2. 2

   Transfer the Minnesota outline

   Print a Minnesota map stencil sized to fill most of the front panel and tape it in place. Poke closely spaced dots along every edge with a pin or awl, paying extra attention to the top border and the right side that curves in for Lake Superior. Mark the small rectangular Northwest Angle notch at the upper left with a few careful dots so you know exactly where it starts and stops. Remove the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker.

3. 3

   Score the outline before you commit

   Before making any deep cuts, trace the full outline shallowly with your carving saw to lock in the shape. Watch the Northwest Angle here: cut just to your marks and no farther, because overshooting turns that little notch into a plain square corner. Take the sharp bottom points and the pointed southeast edge slowly, using short strokes. If a line looks off, you can still adjust while the cuts are shallow.

4. 4

   Make the full cutout

   Now cut all the way through along your scored line, working around the shape a little at a time. Support the piece with your free hand and cut the largest spans last so the panel does not sag or crack early. Keep the saw perpendicular so the edges stay crisp. Gently push the cut section out from the inside once the whole outline is released.

5. 5

   Clean and bevel the edges

   Trim any ragged spots with a detail knife so the state border reads sharp and smooth. Bevel the inside edge of the cutout at a slight angle so the opening looks larger from the front and throws more light. Double check that the Northwest Angle notch still holds its clean rectangular corner. An adult should handle all the knife and saw work.

6. 6

   Light it and take the photo

   Drop in a bright LED puck or a couple of battery tea lights, never a candle, and set them low in the pumpkin so the glow fills the opening evenly. Test it in the dark and add a second light if the top of the shape looks dim. Photograph it at dusk against a simple background so the outline pops. A camp table or porch step makes a great stage.