Twin Dripping Ghost Faces Pumpkin

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Pick a tall pumpkin and open the back

   Choose a large, evenly round pumpkin with a smooth front face and a sturdy stem. Cut a wide access hole in the back rather than the top so the front stays clean for the two faces. An adult should handle the knife and lean the cut inward so the plug does not fall in. Scrape the front interior wall down to about half an inch so the small highlight dots later hold without cracking.

2. 2

   Transfer the mirrored layout

   Tape your two-face stencil to the front and mark the center line first, since the thin rind between the faces is what keeps both panels stable. Poke the outlines with a pin or transfer tool: two round face circles, the paired eyes inside each, the mouths, and the dripping teardrops below. Space the faces so they nearly touch but leave that vertical strip of uncut skin at least half an inch wide. Double check both sides match before you cut anything.

3. 3

   Cut the outer face rings and mouths

   Start with the large circular outlines of each face and the small curved mouths, working with a fine saw blade in short controlled strokes. Cut from the middle of each shape outward toward the lines so you do not crack a corner. Keep the shared center rind uncut the whole time. Gently push the freed pieces out toward you and clear the crumbs as you go.

4. 4

   Cut the round eyes, then bridge the highlights

   Cut the four eye circles as open holes for the brightest glow. To make the little glinting dots, do not cut them out: instead leave a small circle of skin and peel only its outer surface so it reads as a dim highlight against the bright eye. Save these delicate spots for near the end so the wall around them stays firm. Take your time, since a slip here is what usually cracks a thin eye ring.

5. 5

   Add the drips last

   Cut the teardrop shapes hanging below each mouth as the final openings, since they are the largest low cuts and can weaken the front if done early. Keep the narrow drip tails connected to the mouth so light streams down in a continuous ribbon. Round the edges slightly with the tip of your tool for a softer, gooey look. Test fit and clear any loose bits from inside.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Drop in one or two battery LED lights, warm white or orange, and never a candle near thin walls or a balcony. Set the pumpkin at eye level against a dark background so the twin faces pop. Shoot in low light with your phone braced steady so the peeled highlight dots show up as soft glows. Rotate the LEDs if one face looks dimmer than the other.