Pride Banner Across a Heart Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Plan and prep the pumpkin

   Pick a large pumpkin with a wide, flat front face so the heart and lettering sit clearly. Cut a lid from the bottom or the back rather than the top so the stem stays intact for the photo. Scoop the inside and thin the carving wall to about one inch so light passes through easily. A steady, even wall makes both the letters and the heart glow consistently.

2. 2

   Transfer the design

   Print or draw a heart with a horizontal band across its middle and the word PRIDE in bold block letters inside the band. Tape the pattern flat to the front and poke closely spaced dots along every line with a poking tool or pin. Pay special attention to the tiny inner counters of the letters P, R, D, and E so those enclosed spots read clearly. Peel the paper and connect the dots lightly with a marker if you want a guide.

3. 3

   Carve the letter openings first

   Using a fine detail saw, cut out the negative space around and inside the PRIDE letters while the band is still fully attached and rigid. The uncut band gives your saw a firm surface to push against, so start here before any big holes weaken the wall. Support each letter piece with your free hand as it releases so nothing tears. Keep the dark band itself intact, since it forms the backdrop that makes the letters pop.

4. 4

   Open the heart above and below

   Now cut the large heart areas above and below the band, working from the center outward. Remove these last so the pumpkin stays sturdy through the fine work. Make slow, straight-in passes and let large pieces come free with gentle support rather than forcing them. Clean up the heart edges with the saw held perpendicular so the curves stay smooth.

5. 5

   Refine edges and test the glow

   Trim any ragged inner edges and gently bevel the back of the openings so more light spills out. Slide an LED puck light or a string of LEDs inside and check the letters from a few feet away. If a letter looks dim, shave a little more pumpkin from the inside behind it. Skip real candles, since the thin band and letter bridges can scorch.

6. 6

   Stage and photograph

   Set the finished pumpkin on a dark, uncluttered surface so the glow reads strongly. Photograph at dusk with the room lights low and the LED as your main light. Take a few frames from straight on to keep the lettering square and legible. A slight wipe of vegetable oil on the cut edges slows drying and keeps the design crisp for the shoot.