Retained Cauldron in Arch Window Pumpkin Lantern

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Select and prep the pumpkin

   A large pumpkin with walls at least an inch and a quarter thick is required. Hollow through the back lid and confirm uniform thickness throughout the carving zone with a skewer. Transfer the full template and perforate all outlines.

2. 2

   Cut the arch opening

   Carve the full arch outline and remove the arch section as one piece. You now have an open window with a curved top and flat bottom edges. This gives you clear access to work the retained figure inside.

3. 3

   Mark cauldron connections and cut background

   Re-tape the cauldron template inside the arch, confirming that the feet overlap the bottom edge and the rim overlaps both sides. Mark connection zones with marker dots, then remove background rind from inside the arch around the cauldron, working from the arch wall inward.

4. 4

   Cut the three circle holes in the retained cauldron

   With the retained cauldron confirmed stable, drill or saw the three small circle holes within the cauldron body. Each hole must be surrounded by at least a quarter inch of cauldron rind on all sides.

5. 5

   Add bubbles, flames, and diamonds outside the arch

   Drill the round bubble holes above the arch, cut the teardrop flame holes below the arch feet zone, and cut the diamond accents in the broad outer rind. Work one cluster at a time, confirming rind between each hole and the arch edge.

6. 6

   Light and display

   Center the LED inside, replace the lid, and display on a dark hearth. The cauldron glows as an orange silhouette against the bright arch, with the three body holes punching dots of full light through the retained figure.

Written with AI to match this design