Police Star Badge Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a smooth pumpkin and cut a base opening

   Choose a rounded pumpkin with a broad, even face and few deep ribs so your star and lettering stay flat. Cut a hole in the bottom rather than the top so the pumpkin sits stable and you can set it right over an LED light. Scrape the inside wall behind your design down to about one inch thick with a sturdy scoop. A thinner wall makes the fine letter cuts far easier and lets more light escape.

2. 2

   Transfer the star and banner

   Print your star badge stencil sized to fit the flat front of the pumpkin. Tape it down snugly and poke the outline with a pin or a transfer tool, following the five star points, the banner edges, and every letter. Take your time dotting the tight corners of the P, O, L, I, C, and E so the shapes stay crisp. Peel the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker if it helps you see the lines.

3. 3

   Cut the star points first

   Using a fine-tipped pumpkin saw, cut out the five star point openings but stop at the edges of the banner. Work with gentle back-and-forth strokes and let the saw do the work instead of forcing it. Save the wide banner strip and the letters for last so the wall stays firm while you handle these larger openings. An adult should handle all the sharp tools.

4. 4

   Carve the letters inside the banner

   Now cut the block letters one at a time with the finest saw you have. Keep the thin walls between letters at least a quarter inch thick so they do not snap, and leave the small centers of the O intact by carving around them. Cut the counters of each letter carefully, clearing chips as you go so you can see your lines. Go slow through the tightest gaps between letters where the pumpkin is most fragile.

5. 5

   Clean the edges and test the glow

   Trace back over every cut edge to remove ragged bits and square up the letter corners for a sharp badge look. Drop an LED light or two inside through the base opening and check the design in a dark room. If any letter looks dim, thin the wall behind it a little more from the inside. Rub a thin coat of petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying and keep the letters looking clean.

6. 6

   Stage and photograph it

   Set the finished pumpkin on a porch step or table at dusk with the LED glowing warm through the star and letters. Angle the face toward your camera and keep bright background lights low so the badge stands out. A few mums or fall leaves nearby round out the scene. Snap your photo while the surrounding light is still soft for the best contrast.