@the_gourdfather
Sep 5, 2026
The ghosts brought a friend
Three sheet ghosts deep in the pines, the middle one proudly presenting a smiling jack like a housewarming gift.
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Our tips for carving a similar design
The whole charm here is a happy, welcoming face made of clean cutouts: two upward-curved eyes, a small triangle nose, and a wide toothy grin. The trick is keeping the smile playful rather than scary, so you round the mouth corners and leave one or two teeth as bridges. Plan the face on a medium round pumpkin, cut the eyes and nose first, and save the big smile for last so the front stays sturdy while you work.
Written by PumpkinCarvingIdeas.com, inspired by @the_gourdfather's photo above. These are our suggestions, not instructions from the uploader, and this approach hasn't been tested on their exact carve.
From pumpkin to porch
Pick and prep the pumpkin
Choose a round, evenly colored pumpkin that sits flat without wobbling. Cut a lid from the top at an angle so it rests back in place, or open a hole in the bottom instead for easier lighting later. Scoop out the seeds and pulp, then thin the front wall where the face will go to about one inch. A thinner wall makes cutting the curved smile much easier.
Transfer the happy face
Sketch or tape on a face with two curved half-moon eyes, a small triangle nose, and a wide smile. Keep the eyes tilted up at the outer corners so the whole look reads as cheerful. Mark two or three teeth along the mouth so you remember to leave them as bridges. Step back and check the spacing before any cutting begins.
Cut the eyes and nose
An adult should handle the knife or a fine carving saw. Start with the smaller shapes, the eyes and nose, using gentle sawing motions and letting the tool do the work. Push the cut pieces out from the inside with a fingertip. Clean up the edges so the curves stay smooth and friendly.
Carve the smile last
Save the wide mouth for last since it is the biggest opening and weakens the front. Cut along the top and bottom lines of the smile, leaving the marked teeth attached top and bottom so they act as bridges. Work slowly around the curved corners to keep them rounded, not sharp. Remove the mouth section in a few smaller pieces rather than one big chunk.
Light it and add the ghosts
Drop in a battery LED tea light or a small puck light for a warm, safe glow. If you want the sheet-ghost scene from the photo, drape white sheets over helpers or props and cut simple eye holes in the fabric. Set the jack in front of or held by the center ghost. Never use a real candle near cloth.
Stage and photograph
Take your setup outdoors near trees or shrubs at dusk for that mood in the picture. Position the lit pumpkin at chest height against the white sheet so the orange glow pops against the fabric. Turn off nearby lights and let the LED carry the scene. Snap a few frames from slightly below to make the ghosts loom.
Gather your supplies
Check things off as you get ready.
Work on a stable surface, keep your free hand out of the cutting path, and have an adult handle sharp tools.
Three levels of light
- Leave intact
The outer skin across the pumpkin body stays dark and holds the orange color.
- Peel & shade
Lightly shave the mouth line or around the eyes if you want a soft glowing outline before cutting through.
- Cut through
The eyes, nose, and wide smile are cut clean through for the brightest light and the classic grin.
Before you start cutting
How do I keep the smile from collapsing?
Leave two or three teeth attached at both the top and bottom of the mouth so they act as bridges. Cut the mouth last, after the eyes and nose, so the front wall stays strong while you work. Removing the smile in smaller pieces also reduces stress on the shell.
Can I really balance the pumpkin in front of a sheet ghost?
Yes, but keep it light and low. Have a helper hold it against their chest, or rest it on a small stool or box hidden under the sheet. Do not perch a heavy pumpkin on fabric alone, since it can slide and fall.
What light works best for an outdoor forest photo?
A battery LED tea light or a small puck light is safest and bright enough for dusk shots. Warm white LEDs mimic candle glow without any flame near the sheets. Shoot at dusk so the interior light reads clearly against the dark trees.
Your take belongs here, too.
Changed a detail? Made it simpler? Share a photo of your version and tell the community what worked.
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