Starhopper the Rocket

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a tall pumpkin and open a lid

   Choose a pumpkin with a broad, fairly flat front so the rocket and stars sit in one clean plane. An adult should cut a lid at an angle around the stem so it drops back in without falling through, or cut a hatch in the back for easier LED access. Scoop the insides and scrape the front wall down to about one inch thick. A thinner wall makes both the stars and the rocket much easier to punch through cleanly.

2. 2

   Transfer your stencil

   Print the rocket and eight stars at a size that fills the face, then tape the paper snug and smooth out wrinkles. Poke closely spaced dots along every line with a pin or a poker tool, paying extra attention to the five sharp points on each star. Peel the paper and darken the dotted outlines with a washable marker so you can read them in low light. Take a photo before you cut so you have a reference if a line rubs away.

3. 3

   Cut all the stars first

   Start with the smallest single-point accent stars near the edges, then work up to the larger multi-point shapes. Use a fine carving saw and gentle sawing motion, entering at each inner corner and cutting toward the points so the tips stay crisp. Push the pieces out from behind with a fingertip once each star is fully outlined. Doing every star now keeps the wall strong before you remove the big central shape.

4. 4

   Outline and open the rocket

   Saw the rocket body, nose cone, and swept-back fins as one connected shape, cutting slowly around the tight fin angles. Leave a small uncut bridge where the round window meets the body so the window disc does not fall out, or cut the window as its own small opening. Cut the flame trail below as a separate shape so a thin strip of skin separates it from the rocket base. Save the largest openings for last and support the wall with your free hand as you finish.

5. 5

   Clean the edges and add the antenna

   Go back over every cut and shave the inside edges at a slight bevel angle so more light spills through. Trim any ragged star points with the tip of your knife for sharp, even shapes. The little antenna ball at the nose is fragile, so keep it as a small round cutout rather than a thin projecting piece. Wipe away leftover marker with a damp paper towel.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Set one or two battery LED tea lights or a small puck light inside, never a candle, since the many openings pull in air. Warm white light gives the cozy orange glow that suits a space scene. Rub a little petroleum jelly on the cut edges to slow drying and keep the star points from curling. Photograph in a dim room so the stars and rocket read as bright shapes against the dark pumpkin.

Written with AI to match this design